Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 307660 Inspection date 19 July 2005 Inspector Ferroza Saiyed

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and their three children aged 19, 17 and 9 years. They live in a semi-detached home in a quiet residential area of Freckleton, which is near Preston. The home is situated just outside the village centre and is accessible to the local amenities including shops, schools and the community hall. Minded children have access to the sitting room, dining room and playroom/conservatory. Toilet and washing facilities are on the ground floor. The children sleep in the main bedroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear

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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 garden available for outdoor play. The family pets is a dog. There are nine children on roll of who are minded on a part time basis. There were two children under the age of 5 years present at the time of the inspection. The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding Association. She hold the NVQ level 3 certificate in Childcare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children's health is promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of simple hygiene practices. This ensure children can play in a clean environment and prevents cross infection. The childminder ensures the nappy changing routine is effective, clean and pleasant for the baby by using anti-bacterial wipes for the changing mat, and talking to the child. Their wellbeing is maintained because the appropriate documentation, for example medication and accident recording is kept and up to date. The children's dietary needs are met because the childminder has a good understanding of a balanced diet. For example, the childminder introduces new food to develop children's taste for healthy options. She ensures parents wishes are followed for children's diet's and their individual needs are met. The children are provided with a healthy options for drinks to enable them to make good choices. The

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Helping children to be healthy

children's physical needs are met because the childminder follows the child's routines for sleep and feeding to ensure consistency of care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are very warm and welcoming. As a result, children are very happy, secure and have a sense of belonging. The children can access a selection of age appropriate toys and activities in a safe home environment. The children's safety is promoted because toys are well organised and available on low shelves and in boxes, which children are able to access freely. The childminder helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe by simple explanations such as, to be careful when climbing the stairs. She asks older children to be mindful when the baby is around, when playing with small play material. The children’s risk of accidental injury is minimised by the childminder being conscious of hazards and by placing safety features in place. However, the childminder has not obtained written consent for taking children on outings, which compromises young children’s safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection

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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 procedures to follow if she is concerned for the wellbeing of children in her care. Therefore, children’s welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have an extremely positive relationship with the childminder. The children benefit from a very close and caring relationship, which develops their self-esteem and gives them a sense of belonging. They are provided with resources from which they can self select and make decisions about their play. Play plans are well developed and stimulating for children and include a range of activities, for example craft activity, where children make lanterns for Diwali, and baking activity where children measure out the ingredients. As a result, they become confident to extend their knowledge in an innovative and meaningful way. The childminder provides opportunities for children to recreate and act out real life experiences in role-play. The children enjoyed playing with dolls and pretending to put the dolls to sleep. This promotes their imaginative development and enjoyment. Indoor space, the garden, visits to community groups and trips to places of interest all

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

allow children to discover new environments and promotes highly stimulating experiences. This provides them with inspiring and challenging opportunities to develop social and intellectual skills. Young children and infants are stimulated through an extensive range of activities, including musical and interactive toys as well as a treasure basket for them to explore. This promotes imaginative opportunity for infants to explore sound, movements and touch senses, for example textures. The infant form strong bonds, which promote their emotional wellbeing contributing to their sense of belonging and happiness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Books, activities and discussion extend the children’s awareness of other people’s similarities and differences. A wide range of resources to reflect diversity are available to extend children’s understanding. The childminder makes effective use of praise and encouragement as she acts as a good role model to assist the children's developing behaviour. She promotes manners at all times. For example, a child said sorry when she accidentally let something fall. The children behave well and are interested in activities provided. The childminder praises children, which helps them behave appropriately. The childminder ensures documentation and information is obtained from parents, prior to the child attending. This enables the childminder to follow the child's home routine ensuring consistency of care. The childminder encourages parents to contribute to their child’s development and wellbeing, by using development folders

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Helping children make a positive contribution

to foster good relationships. This contributes to children’s overall development and

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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 wellbeing.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children’s care is enhanced by efficient and effective organisation. The childminder has all regulatory documentation in place, which is very well maintained and up to date. The children’s individual needs are promoted at all times aided by the clearly written policies and procedures. These are shared with parents to enhance the quality of care each child receives. The organisation of the setting is effective with room for children to move freely and self select resources. The childminder has an informal routine in place, which is based on the children's needs therefore enabling them to gain maximum enjoyment from activities provided. The childminder is pro-active in improving her service by attending childcare courses to meet further the needs of all children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there were two recommendations that needed to be addressed. These were to practise fire evacuation with the children and to provide a range of activities for children. The childminder has addressed the above issues. Fire evacuation is practised with the children on a monthly basis and there are a wide range of challenging and stimulating activities for all children. The children’s safety and overall well being has been improved.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure children's safety by obtaining written consent for taking them on outings.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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