Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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308217 Unique Reference Number 11 March 2008 Inspection date Ann Lee 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 two adult children in Aughton, Lancashire. The downstairs rooms only are used for childminding and there is an 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 she is currently minding two children under five and two older children. The childminder takes children to parent and toddler group, shops, parks and other places of interest. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a National Vocational Qualification level 3 in Early Years Childcare and Education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children benefit from being cared for in a clean and well maintianed house where the childminder takes good steps to keep them free from infection and cross contamination. She uses anti-bacterial spray to wipe work surfaces and tables and she uses hygienic procedures when

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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 changing nappies. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene as they are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. They become more independent because they can access the downstairs toilet and use the step in order to reach the sink.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has completed an up to date first aid course and she has a fully stocked first aid box. All of the necessary documentation is in place to record accidents and medication and parents provide information about any special dietary or medical requirements. This enables the childminder to care for children according to their individual needs and ensures that they are safeguarded in the event of accidental injury or sickness. Parents provide a packed lunch for their children and the childminder offers them healthy snacks, such as toast, fruit, crackers and drinks throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills. There is plenty of space in the large garden for them to run about and play energetic ball games, and they ride wheeled toys and dig in the sand. The childminder also takes them on regular walks to local toddler group, parks and shops and further a field to theme parks, the beach, farms and museums. Children practise their small motor skills when painting, drawing, cutting and sticking and when manipulating dough, small world toys, construction and puzzles.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are made welcome in the warm, comfortable house, so that they feel happy and at ease. The area for play is decorated with colourful educational posters and the children also love to look at photographs of themselves at play and on outings. This helps them to feel that they belong in the setting. All of the necessary safety equipment, such as fire blanket, smoke alarms and safety gate are in place to minimise the risk of accidental injury to children. Children learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency because they practise the fire drill, visit the fire station with the local childminders' group and talk about road safety on outings. There is health and safety policy in place which the childminder follows to ensure that children are always well supervised and that hazards are identified and removed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is wide range of stimulating and interesting toys and equipment including role play items, arts and craft materials, puzzles, books, small world toys and construction. The childminder rotates the resources to provide variety and interest. She sets out a variety of resources each day and children can also make choices about what they play with so that they become confident and independent.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has recently updated her training in safeguarding children and she has a thorough understanding of her role and responsibilities. All of the necessary information and emergency telephone numbers are available so that she can seek help and advice if an issue arises.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder is friendly and approachable and she develops close, affectionate relationships with children, so that they settle in quickly and feel safe and secure in the setting. She is an experienced childminder who has some understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. However, although she has a good understanding of how children learn and develop she does

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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 not use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to observe children and devise activities which help them to move on to the next stage of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children develop good communication and language skills since the childminder talks to them, listens to their ideas, reads stories and sings songs. They learn to recognise numbers, colours and shapes through play and everyday activities. There are many opportunities for children to be creative as they enjoy painting, cutting and sticking and imaginative play using small world toys, house play equipment and dressing up clothes. Children play well together and the childminder shows patience and understanding as she sorts out their small disputes and helps them to share and to take turns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are regular opportunities for children to learn about their local community and the wider world when they visit parks, shops, toddler group, farms and the beach. The childminder also uses public transport to take the children to museums, art galleries and theme parks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are made welcome and their needs are well met. There is selection of resources, such as dolls, dressing up clothes, small world toys and books which provide children with positive images of different cultures and disabilities. They also learn to understand and appreciate differences through activities and outings. For example they recently visited 'China Town' and made Chinese lanterns at the time of Chinese New Year.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder acts as a good role model so that children learn to recognise right from wrong. She uses praise and encouragement to reward good behaviour and achievement and this builds their self esteem and helps them to feel valued in the setting. The childminder shows patience and sensitivity when sorting out small disputes between the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are good and they indicate, in reference letters, that they are extremely pleased with the professional service provided and with the care and concern shown to their children. They state that children are provided with stimulating activities in a safe and friendly atmosphere. The childminder provides parents with a pack of policies and procedures, so that they can work together to meet the needs of the children and promote continuity of care. Parents are kept informed about their children's progress and development during daily conversations and with the use of photographs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The experienced and well qualified childminder provides a well organised provision to ensure that children make good progress. She has an understanding of how children learn and develop and is committed to ongoing training in order to improve the outcomes for children. Children are protected in the setting because the childminder ensures that they never come into unsupervised contact with people who have not been vetted. The childminder maintains the correct adult to child ratios to make sure that children are always well supervised and supported.

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Organisation

Space is well organised to allow children some freedom of movement and room to explore their environment and the resources are set out within their reach, so that they can make choices about what they do in the setting. All of the necessary records, policies and procedures are in place for the efficient management of the setting and to promote the welfare and safety of

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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 children. The documentation is regularly updated in line with current guidelines and Ofsted are kept informed of any changes to the service. The good relationships with parents ensures that they share information about their children on a regular basis. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has improved the documentation because she now ensures that medication and accident records are recorded confidentially.

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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): • continue to use the 'Birth to three matters' framework to observe children and devise activities which help them to move to the next stage of development.

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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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