Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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308165 Unique Reference Number 14 February 2008 Inspection date Denise Sixsmith 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and adult daughter. They live close to Ormskirk town centre, Lancashire. There are three floors in the house and childminding takes place on all three, with the playroom being situated on the top floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five years. Children attend for a variety of days and sessions.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification and attends the local childminding group and toddler groups.

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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. Children stay healthy in the care of the childminder due to the good range of practices and procedures she uses to maintain their good health and physical well-being. Children develop a good awareness of their own needs. They are developing independence in their personal care, such as using the toilet independently and knowing to wash their hands afterwards. The childminder, who is qualified in first aid, uses appropriate first aid equipment to deal with minor accidents involving children, however, some of the contents have passed their use by date. Clear and accurate records of children’s medication and accidents are in place to safeguard children’s health, however, signatures are not always obtained when sharing the medication record with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a good range of activities, which contribute to their good health. For example, they enjoy walks in the fresh air and visits to local parks. They also have good opportunities to enjoy outdoor toys, such as wheeled toys, activity areas with swings slides and climbing equipment, which improves their physical skills. Visits to large soft play areas and other places of interest provides variety. Children practise their small motor skills when drawing, manipulating dough and building towers. The younger children have plenty of clear space to move around freely indoors and practise their developing mobility skills. A quiet room is provided to ensure that the children receive adequate and appropriate rest and sleep times according to their needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to drinks at all times to prevent them from becoming thirsty, with access to both small bottles of water and safety drinking cups. The childminder takes account of individual dietary requirements and parental wishes; systems are in place to record dietary needs. The childminder stores lunchbox contents appropriately that parents have provided for their children's midday meals. Healthy snacks are provided for the children by the childminder which contain a variety of fruit, including bananas and raisins.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in an extremely welcoming and homely environment. The designated playroom provides displays of children's work together with colourful posters and pictures, which combine to provide an inviting room. Children are familiar with the environment and move around easily and with confidence. They make choices as they have independent access to invitingly presented toys, which are age appropriate and well maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children feel safe in the home as the childminder takes effective measures to minimise hazards and to prevent accidents. Children learn to go down the stairs in a variety of ways to ensure safety, for example, in a sitting position step by step. They have visited the fire station where they enjoyed exploring the fire engine and learning about fire safety. The childminder demonstrates a clear awareness of safety issues and has a written emergency evacuation plan, which is practised regularly, although no record of these evacuations are in place. Smoke detectors fitted by the fire department ensure that children's safety is enhanced. The childminder has given very good thought to ensuring children are safe when on outings. For example, she has purchased special back packs for the children to which safety reins can be attached and emergency telephone contact numbers are stored.

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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 Children's welfare is safeguarded through the childminder's clear understanding of safeguarding issues. A policy statement is used to inform parents of the procedures on admission and she is knowledgeable about her responsibilities to protect children. The childminder attends appropriate training to ensure that she keeps her knowledge updated.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and relaxed in the childminder's care. They make themselves at home and happily help themselves to the range of activities and equipment in the playroom. Children's experience is enhanced by visits to toddler groups, childminding groups, multi-sensory play areas, and outings within the area, such as farms and activity centres.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder's effective interaction supports and extends the children's learning. She uses her training and knowledge to plan a range of appropriate activities to ensure the children make good progress in all areas of their development. They readily chose and name coloured shapes, such as blue, yellow and orange as they build a high tower. Children are confident within the environment and in their relationships with the childminder. The youngest children snuggle happily with the childminder as they sit together on the play mat. Children enjoy looking at the photograph albums that the childminder has compiled, recording activities and events that the children have been involved in. They readily name children in the photographs who attend on different days of the week. Consequently, children feel comfortable, confident and part of the setting. The young children develop good language skills because the childminder

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

talks to them clearly and pays them genuine attention when they speak to her. She patiently waits until they can remember the words they need to use and she guides them gently when they are having difficulty. Consequently, all the children join in enthusiastically with the activities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder gets to know the children and their families very well through careful dialogue with parents. The childminder is vigilant in meeting the children's individual care and developmental needs. This means that children are truly valued and respected as individuals and their self-esteem is fostered appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are proud of the warm praise and encouragement which they receive for their good manners, their kind actions and their efforts. Consequently, children say 'please' and 'thank you', collect toys for the youngest child and giggle and laugh as they repeatedly help to build up the tower for him to knock down. Children learn to take responsibility for themselves and their actions and happily help to tidy up before they get more toys out as they play together very well. Children relate very well to the childminder and their behaviour reflects her caring and respectful approach. The childminder has recently completed training about the use of 'empathy dolls' with the children in order to help them to understand about feelings and differences in people. She provides a variety of resources and activities that promote difference and assist the children to learn effectively about the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from consistent and longstanding relationships in place between their parents and the childminder. In some instances the childminder has visited the children in their own home enabling her to build close links and continuity of care for the children. All written communication between the childminder and parents is clear and comprehensive. Parents send

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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 cards and letters to express their thanks to the childminder for the high level of care provided for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children clearly benefit from consistent routines which meet their individual needs. Space is well organised and is effectively defined for varied activities. Children are very happy and are well cared for in the childminder's home. The childminder is well-organised in all aspects of her childminding business. Documentation is clear, kept in order and she maintains confidentiality. The childminder is vigilant in maintaining records about the children's care and development and shares these effectively with parents. This means that she can quickly find information should she need to refer to it and she can update it appropriately when necessary.

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Organisation

The childminder attends a broad range of training covering all areas of care, learning and play to enhance her level 3 qualification and to promote good quality childcare. Parents' information is clear and essential material, such as the certificate of registration and insurance, are displayed in the play room on the upper floor.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to devise and implement a system to record incidents of physical intervention and ensure that the fire blanket be easily accessed in an emergency. An incident record is now in place and the fire blanket is easily accessible ensuring that the safety of the children has been improved.

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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): • develop a system to ensure that the contents of the first aid box are checked regularly and updated as required

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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 • ensure that parental signatures are obtained when they are shown the record of medication administered • devise a system to record the emergency evacuation practices.

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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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