Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for early years provision

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317101 Unique Reference Number 23 August 2007 Inspection date Andrea, Marie Paulson 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 has been registered since 1996. She has a childcare qualification and has attended a number of short courses on childcare issues including First Aid. She lives with her husband and three children aged 16, 14 and seven years. They live in a semi-detached dormer bungalow in a quiet cul-de-sac, situated approximately two miles south of Kendal town centre. There are eight children on roll, who attend for a variety of sessions including after school, though no children were present at the inspection.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to the living room, dining kitchen, bathroom and downstairs bedroom, with additional sleeping and bathroom facilities upstairs. An enclosed rear garden and enclosed patio area provides opportunities for outdoor play. Older children play in the front garden and cul-de-sac, subject to parental permission. The facilities close by include a play area, shops, schools and pre-school groups. The childminder uses her car to transport minded children, subject to parental permission.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local group in Kendal. The childminder takes minded children on outings for walks, to leisure activities and toddler groups, where she meets with other childminders and their children.

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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 good. The childminder shows a good understanding of keeping children healthy. The home is clean and tidy and she has individual details to meet each child's needs. She helps children to follow good hygiene practice as each child has a toilet bag with their own cleaning items such as a toothbrush.

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Helping children to be healthy

She provides many opportunities for children to participate in regular physical exercise indoors and outdoors. The spacious lounge allows for plenty of movement. The extensive garden has paved and grassed areas along with large play equipment and a play house. Children are taken on walks and local outings such as to the park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder offers children the choice to be active or rest when they need to, for instance, during quiet play or on the comfortable chairs. She has many photographs that show opportunities for children to develop manipulation and coordination skills as they paint, draw and use construction materials.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides nutritious snacks including fruit and low-sugar drinks to encourage healthy eating. She is aware of individual diets and allergies so that each child has appropriate care. The childminder states that children generally bring packed lunches which they sit at a table to eat, so making snack time into a social occasion. She encourages children's awareness of healthy foods as they visit a farm shop. A display of 'what fruit have we had today' where children select photos of fruits also reinforces the importance of nutritious foods.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The environment is very warm and welcoming for children, with comfortable furnishings and equipment which are checked regularly and in good condition. Several safety features are in place, in particular, the heat detector in the kitchen. The smoke alarms are in working order, the fire blanket is suitably placed and the emergency evacuation plan is practised regularly so that children are aware of how to keep themselves safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder shows a good understanding of safety issues through thorough policies and procedures in place to keep children safe. Comprehensive risk assessments identify and resolve hazards, with the minor exception for when taking children out. However, she otherwise demonstrates how to keep children safe on outings as they learn to hold hands and cross the road safely. She has devised laminated cards with children's details which are taken on outings to make sure that children are appropriately cared for in case of accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has good awareness of child protection issues for safeguarding children through the policies and procedures in place. Children are, therefore, further protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Weekly plans are devised to provide a wide range of activities that are linked to the learning areas which promote children's overall development. An extensive collection of photographs

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 and computer displays show children enjoying a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. Indoor play includes role play, construction to make models, gluing and sticking to make pictures and access to the computer. The childminder shows sound awareness of how to promote their creative skills and self-expression. They have access to books and the childminder enhances the resources through using the library. Their experiences are further extended through outings to local facilities including a toddler group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder promotes children's awareness about different cultures through practical activities such as dressing up, foods, and art and craft activities based on topics such as 'celebrating Christmas in other countries'. They become familiar with their own community as they visit local amenities and draw a 'family tree'. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and devises ways to offer individual support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows sound awareness of promoting good behaviour with appropriate policies and procedures in place. She has a reward system to promote children's awareness of right and wrong. The childminder states that she encourages them to use good manners and, therefore, to be considerate. Children feel valued as they use individual place mats, have their own coat pegs and pick out their photos to add to the 'who's here today' chart.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has several ways of sharing the children's day with parents, including daily diaries, plans and through discussion. The childminder works with the parents to complete relevant records which support children's individual care. The policies and procedures are thorough except for the complaints policy which does not inform parents that they can access a complaints record. Parental feedback is positive about the standard of care enjoyed by the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is qualified in child care and shows her commitment to providing good quality care through active participation in the local group and attending additional training. She has much experience over several years of caring for children and working with parents.

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Organisation

The play areas and resources are organised well and contribute toward creating a stimulating environment. The practical layout of the rooms and outdoor area promotes effective supervision of children. Accessibility of resources is well organised with children able to choose from the wide range available.

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Organisation

Children's individual details are kept in separate files so that they are secure and confidential. Information is reviewed so that appropriate care is maintained. She is well aware of her responsibilities in ensuring that adults with access to children have relevant checks done.

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Organisation

Overall, the evidence suggests that the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection recommendations were made regarding the building materials which were accessible to children, and for practising the emergency evacuation regularly. The building materials are cleared and the emergency evacuation is practised every three months, so that the level of safety for children is further improved.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Also, the need to record all accidents including minor incidents, and to inform parents of Ofsted contact details were recommended. Accidents and incidents are recorded so that documentation is more complete. The complaints policy now includes Ofsted contact details so that parents are better informed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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): • include outings in the risk assessments • review the complaints policy to reflect recent regulations about informing parents that they can access a written complaints record on request.

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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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