Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 308108 Inspection date 18 July 2005 Inspector Janet, Elizabeth Singleton

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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 satisfactory. 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 a registered childminder since 1993. She lives in a semi-detached bungalow in Padiham with her husband and two adult children. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor with bathroom facilities being in the first floor. There is a secure rear garden for outdoor play activities. The childminder is registered for six children, there are five children on roll who attend for various sessions during the week. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the New Era Enterprise Childminder Net Work Group.

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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's health is promoted well because the childminder follows appropriate hygiene practices and children learn to wash their hands after playing outside. The childminder ensures the nappy changing routine is effective, clean and pleasant for the child by using anti-bacterial wipes and disposing of the nappy immediately, thus reducing the risk of cross contamination. Children are adequately nourished as they are provided with a healthy balanced diet including fresh produce, fruit and vegetables. However, children on a special diet do not have their dietary information recorded, therefore their dietary needs are compromised. Children can monitor their own needs as they frequently ask for a drink and understand the healthy option of water or non-sugar fruit juice. Younger children have their needs met because the childminder follows their routines from home therefore the children are cared for in a consistent manner.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play and learn in a safe environment in which they make choices from safe and suitable toys and equipment. They make decisions about their play and choose from the resources made available to them. They make choices from a selection of satisfactory outdoor equipment when playing outdoors. They learn about the dangers of traffic as they walk to school and are taken for walks to the park and understand the danger of some plants for example, nettles and the possibility of overbalancing when looking over fencing at the ducks in the park. Children's safety is enhanced by the childminder who ensures that all necessary safety equipment is in place. Children's welfare is compromised as the childminder, although aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the need to protect children, is not aware of the correct procedures to follow.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy and achieve because the childminder provides a variety of both indoor and outdoor activities for them. Children enjoy making decisions about their play and readily discuss what they are doing. They involve the childminder in their play by asking questions and the childminder always responds to the children answering their questions fully. She encourages them to count the cards and tell her about their activity, which the children do with enthusiasm. She encourages and supports the

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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 younger children to try the pieces of the large jigsaw giving lots of praise when it is completed thus enabling the children to succeed. Children's self esteem and confidence is promoted because the childminder praises the children and encourages them to try when making jigsaws and guessing at matching the memory card pictures. The children respond by smiling when told they are good and have done well as they have tried to match the picture cards. Children enjoy going for walks to the park to feed the ducks with the bread they have saved for this purpose and they develop an understanding of nature when talking about ducklings being baby ducks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are fully welcomed into the setting being valued and respected and are encouraged to play together taking turns and sharing. The children learn about diversity and disability because the toys and books are made available to children during their play. The childminder sets boundaries for children including walking safely, not running, sharing toys and being kind which they fully understand. The children are beginning to learn right from wrong as the childminder gently reminds children to share and to use good manners. She encourages children to say please and thank you when asking for, and receiving a drink or a snack thus children learn to be well mannered and considerate to others. Children are cared for in an environment where parents are fully included to ensure individual needs are met and a positive relationship is fostered. The childminder ensures children routines are followed to ensure consistency of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children's needs are met satisfactorily as the childminder has the regulatory documentation in place including the personal details and consent forms to safeguard children's welfare. The children's first aid needs can be attended to as the childminder has an up to date certificate of first aid. Children's needs are met because the environment is organised to ensure children can move freely and can access toys and equipment made available. The children take part in both planned and unplanned activities and benefit from indoor and outdoor experiences for example, they enjoy being taken for walks thus developing their physical skills and enjoy socialising as they play in the home together. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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

Since the last inspection the childminder has purchased new records to ensure the medication details are updated and meet with the requirement of the national standards. She has made available to the children toys which represent culture and disability therefore children learn about diversity. The childminder discusses the children's day with the parents and ensures they are informed verbally of the activities provided for their child.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to report.

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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 satisfactory. 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): • record information about children's special dietary requirements • ensure that the child protection procedure complies with the local Area Child Protection Committee.

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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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