Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

307862 Unique Reference Number 24 January 2008 Inspection date Andrea, Marie Paulson Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1986. She lives with her husband and son aged 17 years. They live in a house situated in the Sandylands area of Morecambe. The rear living room, kitchen and bathroom are available for the purposes of childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder currently cares for seven children who attend for various sessions. The childminder has attended additional training, is a member of the National Childminding Association and is an active member of a local childminding group.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. The childminder shows some understanding of promoting children's health. The home is clean and she has individual details to meet each child's needs. She provides opportunities for children to participate in regular physical exercise indoors and outdoors. The back garden has play equipment such as ride-on toys and children are taken on outings, including visits to the park.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Their manipulation skills are developed well as they play with jigsaws, mix cakes and use drawing tools. 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. Children's movement skills are, therefore, well promoted.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual health details are completed. The administration of medicines is recorded and agreed by parents. However, a record of accidents is not maintained, which means that a requirement of the childminding registration is not met.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder provides nutritious meals and snacks, such as meatballs and pasta, and fruit salad. Drinks are available so children are not thirsty. She encourages children to feed themselves and provides them with colourful plates and cutlery. The childminder is aware of individual diets, allergies and appetites so that each child has sufficient to eat. Children sit together at the table to make meal times sociable and much conversation takes place. In this way, children's healthy eating habits are encouraged.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The environment is light and comfortable. Resources and equipment are in satisfactory condition. Several safety features are in place, in particular, the external doors are kept secure to keep children safe. Children learn to be safe as they sit properly and learn not to jump off the furniture. A safe practice on outings is taking children's details out so that parents can be contacted should any accident befall the childminder or children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The smoke alarms are in working order and the fire blanket is suitably placed. However, an evacuation plan is not practised to enable children to become familiar with the procedure. This was also a recommendation from the previous inspection, which has not been met.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder shows a generally satisfactory understanding of safety issues with exceptions being the key to the bathroom window not being stored close by, the cords of the full-length blinds in the kitchen being accessible to children, and the door between the playroom and kitchen not being secured.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has sound awareness of child protection issues and local contacts. The children are, therefore, further safeguarded.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder provides children with a good range of resources and activities to make a varied day. A flexible routine helps children to settle. Activities include outdoor play with trikes, visits to the play park and frequent attendance at the local toddler group.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop self-expression as they enjoy indoor activities, such as role play with the buggy and dolls. They gain confidence as they choose activities from the wide range available. The childminder shows good awareness of how to promote their creative skills as they make pictures out of tissues and mix cakes. They learn how to handle books and their communication skills are promoted through much conversation.

p.3

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 Children's sensory development is promoted well as they watch the flashing lights of a toy, smell the scents of the fruits and the hand wash, feel the varied textures of craft materials and listen to the musical toys.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder promotes children's awareness about different cultures through the availability of resources that promote positive images, such as dolls and play activities. She has a practical approach about caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities in order to be able to meet individual needs.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows good awareness of how to promote acceptable behaviour. She understands how to offer secure and consistent boundaries for children, such as not jumping off furniture. The childminder encourages them to use good manners and, therefore, to be considerate. She gives praise for responsible behaviour such as tidying up.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to play well together so that they build positive relationships. They take turns mixing the cakes and pass toys to the baby. The childminder knows the children well as individuals and makes sure that each one is able to actively participate and gain independence. They enjoy an affectionate rapport with the childminder.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates consistency of care by sharing information about the children's day informally with parents, so that they work together for the children's well-being. The childminder works with the parents to complete relevant records to support individual care. Policy statements are available and include the required information, with the exception of the complaints policy which is not updated. Parental feedback is positive with comments on the safe and familiar routine, much experience, and the childminder being helpful and professional.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The play areas and resources are organised so that they are easily accessible to children, so enabling them to make their own choices. The childminder supervises children as they move between the playroom and kitchen. She has a kind and friendly manner with children, has been minding for many years and is an active member of a local group.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation of the care generally meets legal registration requirements except for not recording accidents or practising the emergency evacuation. The records are kept confidential and secure. Information about the care provided is shared with parents mainly verbally with some written policies.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was recommended to maintain good hygiene practices to reduce the risk of infection. Several practices were observed, including washing hands before and after eating, so that risk of infection is reduced.

p.4

Improvements 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 It was also recommended that positive behaviour be valued and encouraged. During the inspection the children were well behaved, with the childminder giving praise for helping out and encouragement to take part in activities.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The emergency evacuation needed to be practised, which was made a recommendation from the last inspection. However, this has still not been met and, therefore, becomes an action.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • maintain a record of any accidents, signed by parents • devise and practise an emergency escape plan. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5