Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 307870 Inspection date 04 August 2005 Inspector Ferroza Saiyed

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 was registered in 1982. She lives with her husband in their detached four bedroomed house located in a quiet cul-de-sac in the Carleton area of Poulton. The home is situated close to the local amenities, shops, schools, and the parks. Minded children have access to a conservatory-cum-playroom, a dining room and a bedroom is used for children's sleep. Toilet, and washing facilities are on the ground floor. The garden is secure and has a decking area for outdoor play. There are seven children on roll being minded on a part time basis. There were no

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 present at the time of the inspection. The family have two dogs and a cat as their pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their health. This includes both indoor and outdoor physical activities, for example walks to the park and trips to activity centres. Children enjoy a range of outdoor play opportunities to promote their physical development. The childminder demonstrated how children learn the importance of personal hygiene through a well planned daily routine, such as washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals and snack time. The children’s wellbeing is maintained because the appropriate documentation is in place, for example medication and accident records. However, no emergency medical treatment consent is obtained from parents and therefore children's safety and wellbeing is compromised. The children's dietary needs are met because the childminder has an understanding of a balanced diet. She demonstrated knowledge and awareness of children’s likes

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Helping children to be healthy

and dislikes. These are in accordance with parent’s wishes and this ensures individual dietary needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The home is made warm and welcoming for children, which provides them with a sense of belonging. The conservatory-cum-playroom and the dining area allow children to move about freely and safely as they explore their surroundings. There is a wide range of suitable equipment and play materials, both indoors and outdoors, for children to access safely for themselves. The childminder demonstrated how children learn from her simple explanations about keeping themselves safe such as, to be careful on the 'bouncy castle' and in the 'ball pool'. The childminder pays attention to safety, ensuring that appropriate equipment is in place to promote an environment that ensures children’s safety. However, fire evacuation is not practised and therefore children do not have an understanding for their own safety. The childminder has knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures to

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

follow if she was concerned for the wellbeing of children in her care. As a consequence, children’s welfare is safeguarded.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are interested, explore and play purposefully with activities, sometimes for a periods of time which helps with their concentration. The children are encouraged to choose activities for themselves and are equally supported in their choices and receive recognition for achievements and trying. They develop their communication skills, language, knowledge and understanding through the use of books, stories and role play. For example, children enjoy listening to stories, rhymes and songs, learning about words and meanings as they play. Children's enjoyment of play and learning contributes to their all round development. They socialise in group activities, for example visits to community groups. This provides children with different play environments and opportunities to develop social skills. As a result, children interact appropriately with each other and with the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder. The childminder was able to demonstrate how young children and infants are stimulated through multi-activity resources with musical sounds and lights. Children experience the sounds they make with musical toys and respond to rhymes and action songs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are not given sufficient opportunity to learn and develop an awareness of the diverse culture in which they live, because the childminder has limited understanding of differing cultures. The childminder demonstrated how children learn about behaviour boundaries through everyday play situations, in the home environment or in a group situation. Consequently their understanding of other people’s feelings and needs are developed as they learn to share and to be kind. In general, information is exchanged satisfactorily between the parents and the childminder to ensure that children receive consistent care. The childminder sometimes has not recorded and shared all necessary information with parents, such as incidents, particularly when she thinks concerns are temporary and does not wish to alarm parents. This prevents parents from contributing their child's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The care of the children is satisfactorily supported by the childminder's organisation of her childminding practice. Most necessary documents are in place to ensure that children are given consistent care. However, the first aid certificate has lapsed, which means the safety of the children is compromised. Space and resources are organised well to ensure that children can safely access their chosen toys and activities. Organisation of the documents could be improved, to ensure that all necessary documents are in place.

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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 Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there were some recommendations that needed to be addressed and these were to devise policies and procedures, to gain knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and to gain more knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The childminder has addressed the above issues. There are policies and procedures in place to share with parents and she has developed an understanding of the child protection issues and a partial understanding of equal opportunities. A recommendation has therefore been made following this inspection. The children’s safety and overall well being has been improved.

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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): • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment for the wellbeing of children • provide opportunities for children to learn about fire safety through the practising of the emergency evacuation procedure • improve your knowledge and understanding of how to promote diversity, to enhance children's learning • ensure records of incidents are kept to share with parents • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children.

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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 procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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