Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY314556 Unique Reference Number 25 July 2007 Inspection date Cynthia Walker 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 January 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged 19, 17 and eight years in a semi-detached house on the outskirts of Accrington. She is within walking distance of the local parks. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding which includes the lounge and dining room and playroom. Children use the first floor to access the bathroom. There is a decking area outside for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding three children aged under five years. She attends the local toddler group. The family has a pet dog. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and is presently working towards a National Vocational Qualification level 3 in childcare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well nourished with the inclusion of a selection of fruit and vegetables in their meals and snacks. Drinks are offered regularly to the children throughout the day. There are

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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 systems in place to record the children's dietary requirements to ensure their individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates that children are cared for appropriately if they have an accident or need medication because she follows the required procedures. Children are developing an understanding of personal hygiene as they are encouraged to wash their hands after going to the toilet. Older children explain that they are washing away the germs. However, children do not use individual hand towels to maintain hygiene practices. The childminder follows effective procedures whilst changing children's nappies.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to develop their physical skills by access to the decking area and daily trips to toddler groups and visits to the local area. They enjoy playing on the roundabout, large swing, rocker and slide during visits to the park. There are some resources to support physical activity within the home, such as hoppers, small bikes, a scooter and sand and water. The childminder sensitively enables children to have appropriate rest or sleep dependent on their individual needs and routines. Younger children are developing emotional well-being through loving and caring relationships.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where risks have been identified and minimised. Regular fire practises help children develop an understanding of fire safety. Children are learning about keeping safe through explanations from the childminder on the dangers of small beads to younger children. She explains that she introduces simple road safety whilst the children are taken on walks in the local area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is providing a comfortable and relaxing environment for the children in her care. Resources are arranged around the lounge to enable children to make independent selections to support their play. Children access a wide range of resources which are appropriate for the ages of the children attending and actively support their learning and development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection procedures which are in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. The childminder has attended a wide range of training courses to support her knowledge of child protection issues.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are interested in play and are actively involved in a good range of activities within the home. The childminder's weekly routine includes trips to toddler groups, soft play, baking, music and painting. She extends the children's experience by taking children to the local park, visits to local places of interest, the library and the 'jungle room'. Photographs highlight children's involvement with a variety of play materials including dressing up and their visits to the toddler groups and trips to the park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy looking at books and identify the different farm animals as the childminder encourages all the children to make the appropriate noise. This is followed by an interesting discussion where children are encouraged to share their experiences of a recent trip to a farm where they met 'Charlotte pig' and saw some cows. During further discussions the children

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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 explained that they had made fairy cakes the day before and put stars on the top and they were going to make chocolate apples that day. Children enthusiastically become involved in a story led by the childminder using hand puppets and excitedly save the princess from the dragon. The childminder supports older children to make patterns using small beads on to a plastic backing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder's effective interaction and sensitive support extends the children's learning. She encourages children to achieve and gives lots of positive praise. Children are confident in the environment and their responses from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children behave well in response to the calm and consistent explanations from the childminder. There is a written policy which promotes the childminder's implementation of behaviour management which is shared with parents as their children begin their care. Children play co-operatively together and share resources with the younger children and take turns whilst playing with jigsaws.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing an understanding of diversity through some resources which include a doll, small world figures and books. The childminder introduces activities, such as linking food to other cultures to reinforce the children's understanding. Discussions with parents establish the children's individual needs and there are systems in place to record these.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder explains that she works closely with parents to establish children's routines and preferences. The ongoing needs of children are met by sharing information verbally with parents at the end of the day. Parents are given a copy of the childminder's complaints policy as their children begin their care.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. A good range of documentation is used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children. The quality of care is enhanced with the childminder's positive attitude to training to improve her knowledge and practice by attending a variety of short courses and she is studying for a level 3 qualification in childcare. The childminder has developed a number of policies and procedures which work effectively in practice, for example, behaviour. She thoughtfully manages her time to include visits to broaden the children's learning experiences. The childminder organises her home efficiently which enables children to be confident in their environment and extend their play and learning.

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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 given two recommendations in relation to the fireguard and feeding procedures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The fireguard is now fastened to the wall to maintain the safety for children. Children under one year are being held whilst bottle feeding which is appropriate to their needs.

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Improvements 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

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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): • promote good hygiene practices by ensuring individual towels are available for children when drying their hands.

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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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