Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY280666 Unique Reference Number 21 February 2008 Inspection date Jane Pamela Berry 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 satisfactory. 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children in the Farnworth area of Bolton, Lancashire. Local schools, shops and other amenities are close by.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed decking area to the rear of the property for outside play. There are currently four children on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with a varied and nutritious diet of healthy foods. They contribute their ideas for snacks and have a good understanding of what healthy foods are, for example, snacks usually consist of fresh fruit, such as apples and bananas. They enjoy lots of vegetables and

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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 particular favourites are pasta meals, such as spaghetti. Children learn from visits to the shops where they are able to see and choose different varieties of fruits to taste, widening their experiences of foods from around the world.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has systems in place to maintain standards of hygiene. Children's health is well maintained. However, they do not have opportunities to learn about oral health, quite as much, as they are not encouraged to clean their teeth whilst they are with the childminder.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from effective policies and procedures which are shared with parents, such as clear agreements that children are not minded, whilst they are ill to eliminate infection being passed on to others. The home is clean ensuring a healthy environment is provided. Thorough hygiene routines prevent the spread of infection, for example, children have their own towels in the bathroom. Children are encouraged to develop a thorough understanding of their personal care and wash their hands using soap, before eating and after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Comprehensive procedures ensure that any accidents are managed appropriately as the childminder has sound knowledge of first aid, readily available equipment and clear recording systems. However, policies have not been updated to reflect the changes in legislation, such as the reporting of serious illnesses. All children's dietary needs and requirements are discussed fully with parents and any special requirements or allergies are recorded on the child's records.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of physical activities and have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They normally have access to an area outdoors, however, this is temporarily inaccessible for safety reasons. They enjoy going to the local park nearby; to engage in more challenging activities, such as the climbing equipment, the swings and the slide.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The environment is welcoming to both children and parents. Effective arrangements ensure children are not able to leave the premises unsupervised. Arrangements are established, including robust procedures to be followed in the event of a child becoming lost. Children are alerted to dangers in the community, for example, they stay together, walking on the inside of the pavement to keep safe. Safety is given top priority and the childminder successfully promotes this aspect through activities and routines, such as talking about 'people who help us'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has organised her home effectively where children feel comfortable and confident to make choices from a range of resources for all ages. For example, toys and activities are stored within easy reach, this promotes the children's independence and affords them freedom of choice.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have careful regard for their own safety. The childminder supervises them extremely well at all times, including when she takes them on outings. Children have an awareness of road safety and the younger children are either strapped safely into a pushchair or hold the childminder's hand. They are well protected from risks because the childminder is vigilant and any potential risks are effectively managed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder's clear understanding of safeguarding issues in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board's guidance and how to take any action required to protect children. She has established a clear written policy to ensure parents are fully informed of her responsibility to protect children from harm. The childminder ensures that

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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 are only collected by their parents or named adults by prior written arrangements and children are never left alone with other adults.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are introduced to a wide range of play opportunities and they learn rapidly through these activities. They develop well in this caring, stimulating environment where they are valued as individuals in their own right. The imaginative activities are captured on camera to share with parents and children over time. Children however, have limited access to these as a resource for their learning and development. This includes shopping excursions, sensory and imaginative activities, and visiting places of interest like a community farm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder talks to the children and encourages their language development through activities, such as story telling and by asking appropriate questions. She encourages children to share their interests and discusses the activities with them. They benefit from these warm and loving interactions and she clearly takes great delight in the children as they approach her to play with them. The children enjoy painting, crayoning and messy play as they learn about textures and creativity. She actively encourages the children to be included in spontaneous planning, asking for their own ideas and encouraging their self-initiated play. She takes advantage of situations to extend the children's knowledge, for example, talking about colour and shape as they roll and shape play dough.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting because they are fully involved in activities daily. The childminder values their contribution and respects their individuality. She records their individual needs before they start and is careful to ensure that these are updated regularly through her discussions with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Activities are often linked to festivals and customs, including Halloween, and the children are involved in many celebrations. They readily share and take turns and socialise well with one another. Children are encouraged to learn about the world in which they live through resources showing positive images of race, gender and disability. These include multi-cultural books and figures that portray disability. This promotes discussion around inclusion and what is 'not being kind' and 'hurts' other peoples feelings.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has limited experience of caring for children with a disability, although she is aware of the benefits of inclusion. Children behave exceptionally well while they are in her care. They are encouraged to be kind, to take turns and to share and to respect one another. The childminder provides them with a good role model and from her they are learning to understand the difference between right and wrong. Younger children benefit from the childminder's skill in using distraction to avoid confrontation arising. There is close liaison with parents to ensure consistency in the management of the children's behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents complete information sheets detailing children's daily routines, their likes, dislikes and individual needs. They see the childminder's folder which includes details of training completed as well as the policies and procedures. However, the childminder's knowledge of her responsibilities in respect of written complaints is not comprehensive. She has not received any complaints to date and has recently obtained the revisions booklet in order to develop a system

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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 for the logging of complaints. Parents are encouraged to give her verbal feedback on the service received on a regular basis. Parents spoken with describe the childminder as very caring and are very satisfied with the provision for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The children benefit from the childminder attending training to ensure she is aware of current childcare practices and any changes in the regulatory requirements. Children are supported to relax, learn and play under her direct supervision as they access a range of play resources.

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Organisation

The childminder effectively maintains the records and the register of attendance. Her comprehensive written policies successfully promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. 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 provider was asked to improve knowledge of child protection by obtaining the booklet 'What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Summary' and to practise fire evacuations with the children. These matters have been satisfactorily addressed. The childminder has an effective fire evacuation plan which she practises regularly with children. The childminder has also obtained the relevant publication regarding the safeguarding of children. These developments assist in keeping children safe.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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 satisfactory. 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 systems to take account of the revised health requirements; specifically to include the reporting of food poisoning that affects two or more children and notfiable illnesses, such as Meningitis • extend knowledge of how to respond to written complaints from parents.

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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 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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