Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY264648 Unique Reference Number 21 August 2007 Inspection date Ann, Theresa Flynn 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 became registered in January 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight months and five years in the Clayton-le-Woods area of Leyland. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding purposes, as well as the bathroom and two smallest bedrooms on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for four children under eight years at any one time and presently has three children on roll. She is a member of The National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The health of children is promoted well. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after toilet use. Children learn about good hygiene practice and they are able to describe why they need to wash their hands prior to eating snack, thereby demonstrating their understanding of good hygiene practices.

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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 Children regularly access fresh air and exercise. They play in the garden, visit the park and various play areas. They walk daily to school and attend a variety of groups around the area. All of which helps in promoting the physical well-being of children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished as they are provided with healthy, nutritional snacks, including a variety of vegetables. Drinks are readily available for younger children from age appropriate containers and older children enjoy free access to drinks when they require.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's understanding of healthy eating is promoted because the childminder uses simple explanations and discussions about various foods to help children to understand about healthy eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well maintained and clean environment. The organisation of toys and equipment means children can move around safely to enjoy a varied and wide range of resources. Resources are freely assessable within rooms on the ground floor and provide a range of interesting choices for children's play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is maintained because measures are in place to minimise hazards, such as socket covers, safety gates and cupboard locks. The childminder tries to ensure the premises remain safe by undertaking regular risk assessments of the premises. However, within the first floor bathroom hazards identified include a razor being assessable to children and large glass vases stored at child height, thereby compromising children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

An emergency escape procedure is discussed and practiced with children to ensure they are aware of how to keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is well protected because the childminder has a good understanding of the procedure to follow in the event of concerns. She knows to listen to children and to document, in detail, her concerns if she is worried about the welfare of any child in her care. She is aware of the role of the Local Safeguarding Children Board, thus helping to keep children in her care safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy free access to resources which are available around the premises. The childminder involves herself with children's play conversing and interacting with them, thereby supporting and encouraging children in their learning. Children's achievements are celebrated by displaying their 'work' all around the ground floor, thus helping children to feel a sense of achievement.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's learning and development is facilitated by the use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, which the childminder implements to help young children to learn. She plans activities using themes, a recent theme being people and their jobs, she provides one to one care when possible and she provides opportunities for holistic play to encourage children to explore natural materials to aid their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Resources are varied, interesting and provide challenges to children to help them to enjoy and achieve during their time at the childminders.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are beginning to learn and understand about the wider world. They are encouraged to discuss issues concerning the needs of others provoked by a range of resources which reflect diversity. They learn about others cultures, for example, Chinese New Year, all of which helps to develop children's awareness and understanding about the diverse society in which they live.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed in a positive way. Children are provided with explanations, praise and encouragement, which encourages them to behave well and develops their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder explains to children about acceptable and unacceptable behaviour, reinforced by house rules, which the children have helped to devise themselves, thereby helping them to understand right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are well met, due to the positive relationships which have been established with parents. Information is shared through written policies and procedures, verbal discussion, daily diaries and scrap books of activities with which the children have been involved. The scrap books link activities to the 'Birth to three' framework, thus ensuring parents are fully informed about their child's progress. Contracts are also in place, as well as questionnaires which are provided regularly to parents. The questionnaires are then used to develop the service provided, thus helping the childminder and parents to work together in the best interests of the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The day is planned to cater for children's individual needs, space used by children within the home is well organised so that they are able to play, rest, eat and socialise in comfort. Children freely access play resources depending on their choice.

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Organisation

Children receive good levels of support, with the childminder providing one to one support to the young child present, thereby ensuring children's individual needs are met.

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Organisation

Required documentation is well maintained in line with National Standards, however, there is no written parental consent for the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice. Most documents relating to the safety and welfare of children are well maintained and are shared with 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

Following the last inspection there was one recommendation raised relating to resources. The childminder has provided a range of resources which reflect disability. Due to the action taken the care and education of children has been enhanced.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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

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 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): • promote the safety of children by ensuring hazards within the first floor bathroom are made safe • develop documentation by obtaining written parental consent for the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice.

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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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