Childminder in LancashireOfsted inspection, 28 Jun 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 308963 Inspection date 28 June 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 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 in the Rawtenstall area for five years, having been previously registered in Cheshire. She lives with her husband and two children of 10 years and 13 years in a semi-detached house in a quiet cul-de-sac in Rawtenstall. The minded children have access to the hall, playroom, conservatory, kitchen and downstairs toilet. The lounge is used for the children when sleeping and for older children to have a quiet time. There is an enclosed back garden with patio, which can be accessed from the playroom. The family have two cats.

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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 The childminder is registered to care for six children and there are seven children on roll, two of whom are pre-school children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has gained her National Vocational Qualification, Level 3, in Childcare and Education and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She meets with other childminders on a regular basis and attends toddler groups with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children stay extremely healthy because the childminder understands and follows exceptional hygiene practices. Children learn to wash their hands when finished in the bathroom. Their understanding is enhanced by the childminder talking about being clean. Children discuss germs when in the bathroom and talk about washing germs off their hands. Children learn about good hygiene practices as they are actively involved in the process i.e. they delight in assisting to wipe the table at lunch time. Children are cared for in an exceptionally clean home in which they access hygienic toys and equipment thus prompting their overall health and assisting in preventing cross contamination. Children's dietary needs are met by the childminder ensuring children have the healthy food first from their packed lunch. Children learn about healthy choices as she talks to them about the food and what is a healthy option. She has a

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Helping children to be healthy

considerable knowledge of healthy foods and she discusses fruit, vegetables and highly beneficial food groups with the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's need for a drink is attended to as drinks are available at all times. Children can access their cups in the playroom and at lunch time. Children are provided with a healthy snack making choices from milk, juice or water, fruit, breadsticks, toast, rice cakes and yogurts.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder has highly effective safety procedures and practices in place. She talks to the children about safety raising their awareness and developing their understanding. Children learn that scissors can be sharp and that there are safe scissors for them to use. The childminder has a visual risk assessment which she carries out on a daily basis to ensure the playroom and premises are very safe for the children. Children can play safely with good quality, well maintained toys and equipment because the

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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 childminder ensures they are exceptionally clean, safe and meet with British standards. Children are kept safe because the childminder talks to them about road safety when taking them out. She ensures they wear wrist straps, remain in the pram and older children hold onto the pram and follow clear instruction to walk. Children are kept safe within the home as the childminder has required safety features in place including fire blanket, smoke detectors, safety barriers and socket covers. She has the fire evacuation procedure in place and practices this with the children. Children are fully protected because the childminder has a considerable knowledge and understanding of her role in child protection. She is fully aware of the signs and symptoms and the need to report, any issues, in line with the Area Child Protection

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Committee Procedures. She informs parents of her role and has obtained further information to assist her in keeping children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are enjoying and achieving because the childminder plans and provides a wide range of good activities and opportunities for them. Children are learning about colour, shape and numbers as the childminder talks about them during their play. The children enjoy very positive relationships with the childminder. They ask for assistance, they talk about what they are doing and they benefit from a close and caring relationship which develops their self esteem and gives them a sense of belonging. Children are very interested in what they are doing and are very occupied. They make a junk model barn and continue to add to their construction. They cut out, draw and stick their additions to the barn. Children make choices and their decision making is fully promoted. They choose activities e.g. can I cut out? The childminder gets paper and scissors for the child. Children learn about sharing as the childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

explains there is only 1 pair of safe scissors and thus she directs onto new activity of colouring, which the child readily accepted. Children's self esteem and confidence is built as they make guesses at colours. The childminder encourages the children to attempt to name colours. Children try and guess the colour although they do not always get it right. However the childminder praises the child for trying and gives the right colour, good boy its brown. Children are listened and responded to extremely well as the childminder sits with, talks to them and gives a lot of cuddles and squeezes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting. She has a very good understanding of equality of opportunity for all children. The children learn about diversity because

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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 there are toys and equipment available to them. There are posters displayed representing culture, there is a welcome poster displayed, an all sorts of people book, thus children are surrounded with positive images of diversity. The childminder ensures all children can join in all activities and gives them the choice to decide if they want to. e.g. - 'do you want to join in ' asks the childminder 'no I have work to do' as he hammers the nails during his role play. Children are beginning to understand how to manage their own behaviour. They are beginning to take responsibility because the childminder gives very good explanations and sets clear boundaries. The children are beginning to understand between right and wrong because the childminder talks about sharing, talks about

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Helping children make a positive contribution

waiting their turn and gives gently reminders to encourage good behaviour. The children learn to manage their behaviour because the childminder uses lots of praise and encouragement e.g. good boy /good girl. Well done, clever boy. The childminder fosters good relationship with parents by sharing information which contributes to the children's well being. Policies and procedures are shared to ensure parents are fully informed of the care their child receives whilst at the childminders.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children benefit from an environment and practice that is highly organised to meet children's needs effectively in an imaginative and exciting way. The children enjoy the dedicated playroom. This is a safe area with exceptional organisation of toys and equipment enabling children to make decisions about their play. The activities provided are stimulating and challenging for all children. They enjoy a extremely well organised daily routine which incorporates outdoor and indoor play and visits to places of interest. The children's social needs are fostered by attendance at the local toddler groups. Children's needs are met because the childminder has all regulatory documentation in place which is extremely well maintained and organised and up to date. The documentation is very well organised with individual files for children's details. The childminder has links with other childminders and support from the local

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Organisation

childminder network group. The childminder constantly evaluates her practice to ensure she meets children's needs and is familiar with new childcare policies. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection the childminder has improved safety by removing the hazardous goods, from the kitchen, thus children can play in a safe environment.

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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 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 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): • devise a system for monitoring children's progress.

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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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