Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY343355 Unique Reference Number 23 April 2007 Inspection date Ann Bamford Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder offers care from her home in Poulton le Fylde, in Lancashire. She has been registered since November 2006 and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to the hall, a dedicated play room, utility/dining area, dining and kitchen area, a second lounge on the first floor and a spare bedroom for children to sleep. Toilet facilities are on the ground floor. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder lives with her husband and one child.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Care is available from 08.00 until 18.00 each weekday with the exception of bank holidays. Annual holidays are negotiated with parents.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

At the time of inspection there were five children on roll, one of whom attends on a full time basis

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay in good health as a result of the childminder's careful attention to their individual needs. Information from parents is used very effectively alongside careful consideration to developing children's awareness of how to keep their bodies healthy. Children are developing very good skills in managing their own hygiene routines as the childminder encourages them to use the toilet and carry out routines, such as hand washing, with increasing independence. Children have regular opportunities to develop their physical skills as they walk to the local playground or visit the local zoo, as well as having time to play outdoors each day.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder obtains prior written consent from parents before administering any medication or creams to children. However, children's continued good health is compromised in the event of an emergency as the childminder has not obtained parental permission to seek any necessary medical advice or treatment for the children she cares for.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder involves children in the planning, preparing and selection of food. As a result children are developing a robust awareness of how to eat in a way that keeps their bodies healthy. Older children can understand why, for example, they need to eat fruit and vegetables. The childminder cooks food, such as shepherds pie and fresh vegetables, to ensure that children eat a well balanced diet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's good health is maintained as the childminder plans her day very effectively to take account of each individual child's sleep patterns. This ensures that children have times in the day to rest their bodies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very welcoming and secure environment. The well ordered environment is planned very effectively to care for small children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an extensive range of safety equipment which she uses very skilfully to encourage children to recognise risks. Children are developing a strong understanding of how to keep themselves and others safe as a result of the childminder's constant attention to safety in the home. Regular risk assessments of the play environment and the involvement of children in looking at it enhances their awareness of hazards. The involvement of children in taking action, such as tidying up before a baby is set down to play, ensures that children develop an excellent sense of what they can do to keep themselves and others safe. Older children tidy away toys without prompting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's sound knowledge of safety greatly enhances children's development of understanding and increasing independence. She organises her time well to ensure that children are able to talk about what they are doing next and what they can do to be safe. The discussion of how they will stay safe as they move from room to room raises children's awareness in a way which inspires their confidence and independence skills. For example, older children wait at the playroom door without prompting when moving around the home. Children take responsibility to keep the home safe as they move small toys away from babies, describing why they do so.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children are well protected in the event of a fire as the childminder has a clear plan which she practises with children. The childminder has begun to consider how she will act in the event of any other emergency. She has begun to identify and define risks, for example, in the event of being called away from her duties in a hurry, and is in the process of putting together a written policy and procedure for this event.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very clear understanding of her responsibilities in protecting children. Her confidence to act in the event of a concern relating to child protection ensures that children are completely safe in her care. Her discussions with children about how safe adults behave, increase their awareness of keeping themselves safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are purposefully engaged in exciting activities during all their time spent in the setting. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development. She makes effective use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to plan activities which develop individual children's skills and enjoyment. She creatively plans activities with all children's individual needs in mind, such as imaginative play, which allows children of all ages to be involved.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plays alongside children offering them additional information, such as how to put on the dolls clothing properly. Her imagination transmits to the children as they clearly enjoy the game they are playing. Children are developing the ability to communicate effectively as the childminder consistently encourages them to be aware of the likes and needs of others. Older children share toys readily with younger children present.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a very creative approach to what children do whilst in her care. She imaginatively encourages children to develop self-help skills through taking part in aspects of life in the home. Children develop knowledge of the wider world as they visit the zoo regularly and talk about the animals that live there. They become competent learners and skilful communicators as they play imaginative games with a wide variety of dressing up clothes. The enjoyment that children experience when playing inside or when they are out and about gives them a thirst for learning and an enjoyment of developing self-help skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children experience a strong sense of belonging as the childminder has two room set aside for their sole use. They have their own space to put their belongings. They are developing an enhanced awareness of the wider world as they play with toys and equipment which reflects the diverse needs of our society. The childminder further develops this understanding by engaging children in discussions about the books which are carefully selected for their enjoyment. She makes effective use of plans to ensure that children learn about festivals, such as Chinese New Year, Eid or St. Georges Day.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has good knowledge, understanding and experience of meeting children's individual/additional needs. She is confident when gathering information in order to assess how she offers care. The clear structure of introductory visits for children allows parents and the childminder to work together to plan care before a child is left in the setting. She works very effectively with parents to provide care which follows the individual child's routine. This enhances babies experience of consistent care. In addition, she is confident to speak to parents

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 should areas of concern arise and takes responsibility to find out further information on areas of need, such as Asthma.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing responsible and considerate behaviour as a result of the childminder's skilful encouragement of children to consider others' needs. Children of mixed ages play harmoniously together as a result of the childminder's careful planning of play resources and equipment. She regularly reminds older children to share and offer toys to younger children. Children are polite and behave very well as a result of the specific praise they receive from the childminder for sharing their toys and time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for effectively in line with parental wishes. The childminder makes good use of written information about how she offers care through written feedback on a daily basis. The childminder uses the information she gathers from parents about children's needs creatively to offer care which is individualised. She enjoys good relationships with parents, making effective use of contracts and written permission for aspects of care, such as use of specific equipment or outings. There is a complaints procedure and a proforma for recording any complaints, should there be any. Parents are given clear policies and procedures on how care is offered before care of their child commences. The childminder regularly updates contracts and other information in order to ensure that parents are fully informed about how care is offered.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home and her time very effectively to provide care for small children. She takes steps to ensure that adults who are in the home are suitable to be around young children. She makes effective use of her original training to care for children and regularly attends further training. She makes good use of records to support safe care as all records are current and easily available for inspection. She makes effective use of record proformas to record accidents and incidents, copies of which are then given to parents. However, the current proforma for recording in the event of a complaint is not as clear as other records.

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Organisation

Children are developing an awareness of the need to be organised as the childminder discusses and involves them in the planning of time. They can predict when activities, such as snack time or trips out to collect siblings from school, are likely to occur, through the childminder's skilful use of routines and gentle reminders.

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Organisation

The childminder's commitment to providing a good service means that she is able to assess where her strengths and weaknesses are and enters discussions about how to develop her practice accordingly.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children for whom it provides

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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Complaints since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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