Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 308556 Inspection date 30 June 2005 Inspector Joan, Patricia Flowers

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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 since 1997. She holds the National Nursery Examination Board Certificate (NNEB) and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She lives in a semi-detached house in the Lostock Hall area of Preston. Railway and motorway networks are easily accessible. Members of the household include the childminder, her husband and their two children who are aged 15 and 11 years. The minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor; there is also a fully enclosed outdoor area with permanently fixed outdoor play equipment erected.

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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 home is within walking distance of a primary school, a toddler group, village shops and amenities and a park. A vehicle is available to transport children further a field or when the weather is wet. The family have a pet cat, two hamsters and a rabbit. There are 15 children on roll who attend at various days and times during weekdays. Five children are under four years of age, six are under eight and in full time school attendance and four are over eight. A before school, after school and holiday care service is provided.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a warm clean environment where they are given easy access to a broad range of resources which are maintained and cleaned to a high standard. This protects children from the spread of infection and maintains their well being as the childminder regularly checks the toys and equipment. Children are encouraged to use their own drinking cups thus further limiting cross infection. Children learn about simple good health and hygiene practices as part of their everyday routines as they wash their hands before meals and at toilet times. This, together with the good example set by the childminder promotes their good health as they develop sound personal hygiene practices of their own. Children eat and drink healthily as they enjoy a range of home cooked foods which meets their nutritional needs. Meat, fish, pasta, rice and plenty of fruit and vegetables make up the daily menu plans. Individual dietary needs are well met because of the

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Helping children to be healthy

clear information obtained from parents. As a result children are well nourished according to their individual needs and babies' usual feeding routines. Children access a broad range of physical activities as they learn to negotiate large equipment at the toddler group. They enjoy physical activities as they walk and play in the park, enjoy the equipment in the garden and go swimming. Consequently they learn to develop their sense of co-ordination and control over their own bodies as their fitness levels are improved.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's welfare is safeguard because the childminder has a thorough understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and her responsibility with regard to the reporting of any concerns. Children’s risk of accidental injury is minimised in the childminder’s organised home. The use of safety equipment and a tidy home environment ensure that children do not hurt themselves as they play and move around.

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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 They learn effectively from the childminder’s simple explanations about keeping themselves safe. They have not however been given the opportunity to practice the emergency evacuation procedure. They hold the childminder's hand or pram when going to the park as their understanding about their own personal safety is fostered. The childminder maintains children's safety at all times both indoors and when children play outside in the garden. She is vigilant in the home as she monitors children during their sleep times. As a result their security and well being is assured. Children access a selection of age appropriate toys and activities in a welcoming home environment. The organised low shelves and boxes are within easy reach as children engage in safe independent play and make choices. Seating for children is

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

in the main suitable but sometimes inhibits meal time management as children cannot always sit together as a family group.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are confident in their relationship with the childminder. They form strong bonds which promote their emotional well being contributing to their sense of belonging and happiness. Their interests are consistently built upon as they acquire new skills so creating a sense of achievement. Young children are encouraged to become skilful communicators through very good interaction between the childminder and themselves. She talks to the children encouraging them to respond and share their thoughts and opinions through both verbal and non verbal communication. Babies enjoy a positive, caring relationship with the childminder which increases their sense of well being. For example, she stimulates babies well, making good eye contact, gestures and smiles to support them in their learning and enjoyment. The childminder ensures toys are all placed within the children’s reach which helps them

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to make choices, explore and investigate. She uses her knowledge of the children well to extend their learning and increase their enjoyment and sense of achievement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder provides a range of meaningful resources and activities to promote children's understanding about other people's similarities and differences. This effectively develops their view of the wider world as their awareness of diversity is increased. Children quickly become aware of the value of community resources as they are regularly taken to places of interest. They learn to appreciate these experiences which they can link to things they do at home and in their own neighbourhood when they go shopping or swimming. Children contribute willingly at tidy up time by helping to pick up toys. Co-operating with and helping others in this shared task promotes their feelings of self worth 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 community. They are encouraged to learn right from wrong as the childminder gives lots of praise and encouragement for things children have done well and when they are kind to one another. Children start to grasp how their behaviour affects others because of the clear explanations given to them. As a consequence they learn to share and appreciate other people's feelings. Children receive consistency in their care because the childminder develops lines of communication with parents by means of both verbal and written feedback. Their individual and changing needs as a result are well met. Information is held about each child to ensure the childminder is aware of individual needs and daily occurrences are shared with parents. The privacy of individual children's information

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Helping children make a positive contribution

is in the main applied satisfactorily but accident and medication records are not consistent with this practice thereby compromising confidentiality.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children’s needs are managed in a good manner due to the daily informal discussions with parents which are backed up by written records and well written policies. Consequently children’s needs are assured by the sharing of information. Children’s changing needs are always well met as a consequence and parents are well informed about the care offered. Children feel at ease in the childminder's home. They are confident to initiate and extend their own play and learning as they enter the familiar and well organised environment. As a result they are confident about making decisions about what they are going to choose to play with. Children’s individual needs are promoted at all times aided by the clearly explained verbal procedures which are shared with parents. This enhances the quality of care each child receives because it is tailored to individual children's circumstance. Documentation is generally kept to a satisfactory standard. Children's individual

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Organisation

details and emergency contact numbers and consents are recorded clearly and confidentially. This ensures that children's needs would be attended to in any given situation. The childminder is pro-active in improving the service she offers by attending childcare courses to further her knowledge and skills. As a result children's on-going care needs and development is enhanced. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve the fire precautions and the documentation relating to attendance registers and medication records.

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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 There has been an extra smoke alarm fitted, registers are maintained on a daily basis and medication records are now signed by parents. As a result of these changes children's overall safety has been improved and documentation is better maintained to meet the requirements of the National Standards.

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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): • practice the emergency evacuation procedure so that children's safety is assured • provide equipment that allows all children to sit together at meal times to extend their social and other learning opportunities as a family unit • ensure that the way accident and medication records are recorded maintains confidentiality of individual children's information

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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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