Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for early years provision

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317205 Unique Reference Number 23 October 2007 Inspection date Andrea, Marie Paulson 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 has been registered since 2000. She lives with her husband and son aged eight years in a house in the village of Kirkby Thore, between Appleby and Penrith. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The nearest school is about two minutes walk away. Other local amenities include a shop, walks and a play park. The childminder is currently minding seven children for a variety of sessions. The family has a Labrador dog which lives in the utility room and has access to the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is qualified in childcare, has attended additional training, is the treasurer at a local carer and toddler group and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy through good hygiene practices carried out as part of the daily routine, for instance, as they wash their own hands after playing outside and put used tissues in the

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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 bin. Their health and dietary needs are met very well as the childminder works closely with the parents to provide for individual needs. Children rest and sleep when they need to in a bed or on the comfortable settee. The childminder keeps children's health details easily accessible in case of emergencies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have many opportunities for physical play where they enjoy a great deal of freedom of movement between the spacious indoor and outdoor play areas. They develop strength and coordination as they play on the slide, manoeuvre ride-on cars around the pathways, enjoy outings to the park, and go swimming. Children develop fine movement skills as they feed themselves at snack and meal times, use crayons and paintbrushes, and handle books and shape sorters. They are, therefore, developing good movement skills. Children learn to care for themselves as they wrap up to keep warm outside and take coats off when feeling too warm.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished as the childminder provides nutritious snacks, such as fruit and breadsticks, along with water, milk and fruit drinks. A menu plan includes healthy meals, such as baked potatoes, and children have drinks available for when they are thirsty. Meal times are social occasions where the childminder and children sit together at the table so that good table manners and conversation are encouraged well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children move confidently around the spacious play areas which are well maintained, clean and well resourced. The childminder has carried out generally effective risk assessments. She is conscientious in identifying and resolving hazards, for instance, the pond is securely covered. However, an exception to this is the outdoor slide being on a hard surface. Children play with a good range of resources kept in good condition and appropriate for their age, for instance, the ride-on toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn to keep themselves safe as they sit properly at the table so as not to fall, practise the emergency evacuation and learn how to come down stairs safely. Many safety features are in place to ensure that children relax and play safely in a secure environment. Access to the premises is effectively monitored as all visitors can be seen from the window. Safe practices on outings include taking individual cards with children's details in case of accidents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has recently attended training on child protection. She, therefore, has up to date knowledge about the issues and procedures so that children's well-being is further safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are relaxed, settled, confident and enjoy an excellent rapport with the childminder. She provides a highly stimulating range of interesting activities in which children are engrossed. There is much natural conversation to promote children's communication skills effectively. Children are increasingly able to express their feelings and ideas through the childminder's constant praise and encouragement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Skilled use is made of spontaneous play, for instance, when children practise counting grapes into the bowl and find a 'green' foot on a toy. They learn to link the shape and sound of letters as they practise their names and draw initials on the cardboard box car. Books are available but

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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 displayed well enough to further stimulate children's interest. Children learn about living things as they feed the fish and the birds. They learn how things grow as they look after the tomato and strawberry plants. Each child has their own plant in a pot outdoors to care for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are challenged as they spot the differences between cars parked outside. Their learning experiences are extended through trips to local attractions. Children's sense of time and ability to recall experiences are promoted well as they discuss what they did the day before. The childminder imaginatively promotes sensory development through everyday objects and experiences, including the use of a large cardboard box to sit in and draw on to make into a car. Fabrics, packaging materials and pasta are used during craft activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder maintains individual daily diaries which record invaluable details about the children's day, events and progress. Photographs show children enjoying the many wonderful activities. The close working partnership with parents ensures the continuity of care for each individual child.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder keeps confidential details of children's individual needs so that they receive appropriate care. She works closely with parents to share information and ensure children's continuous well-being. Children learn about their community through outings to local facilities and visits to shops. They celebrate their birthdays and some festivals of their own cultures and those of others. Children develop awareness of the wider world through the resources available. They enjoy practical activities with dressing up clothes, foods and crafts that reflect life in other countries.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved and respond well to the childminder as they clear up outside before coming back inside. The childminder gives good explanations so that children learn to keep small items away from toddlers. They feel a sense of belonging as they are welcomed on arrival. Children show self-assurance as they choose activities and are confident with adults as they initiate conversation. They are very well mannered and say thank you and excuse me without being prompted. Children develop independence as they look for parts of a toy they need and choose activities. They play well together, for instance, during role play at the shop. Older children help younger children as they recognise letters and explain 'a for apple'.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The communication with parents is effective with the use of daily diaries and regular sharing of information. Parental feedback is very positive about the variety of activities, especially outdoors, and about how they are well informed about their children's day. Parents are also informed of the policies and procedures that support the care provided. An exception being that the complaints policy is not updated to inform parents that they can request to see a complaints log.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The care provision is very well organised and children are supervised effectively so promoting their enjoyment and achievements well. They are relaxed and confident in the environment, at times singing to themselves, with good organisation of their care and learning by the childminder. Children's quality of care is further supported by the childminder's good knowledge and skills

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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 gained from experience. The childminder's commitment to providing good quality care is demonstrated by her attending various recent training courses.

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Organisation

The childminder shares information with parents both verbally and in written form to maintain continuity of individual care. The records are thorough, well maintained and confidential, so building good trust with parents. Children's good quality of care is further reflected in the positive feedback from parents.

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Organisation

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

At the last inspection the childminder was recommended to extend the range of resources to reflect positive images of culture and disability. The childminder now provides more play equipment and practical play activities to increase children's positive awareness in an appropriate way.

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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 by the 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): • provide a safe surface on which to place the outdoor slide • develop the display and accessibility of books • update the complaints policy to inform parents that they can access a complaints record on request.

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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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