Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY230871 Unique Reference Number 20 July 2007 Inspection date Margaret Baines 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 a registered childminder since January 2003. She lives with her two children aged 16 and nine years. They live in a semi-detached property situated in the Bispham area of Blackpool.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The children are cared for on the whole of the ground floor which includes a lounge, dining area, kitchen and playroom. The bathroom and a bedroom, for children who wish to rest or sleep, are situated on the first floor. There is also a ground floor toilet. The children also have access to a fully enclosed rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. She offers a flexible service that includes both full and part time day care. There are currently two children on roll. The childminder receives support from the local authority. She is a member of the local childminding network for teen parents.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a very good range of activities which contribute to their very good health. Activities are well planned, enjoyed by the children and contribute to improving their physical skills. For example, they go to the park, the beach and in the well maintained rear garden. They become increasingly aware of how activity effects their bodies and know when they need a drink or a rest. They enjoy regular outdoor activities, which promotes their good health and development.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are secure and cared for in a very clean, well maintained home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are developing an understanding of why they must wash their hands at certain times of the day to avoid ill health from the exposure to germs. Children have their health needs met as the childminder has all the required written permissions and a health and safety policy in place.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand the benefits of healthy eating. They enjoy healthy snacks, for example, apples, bananas and tangerines. Children can help themselves to a drink when they are thirsty and very young children are provided with regular drinks to ensure they have their needs met very well. The childminder is mindful of parental requests and children's preferences in all aspects of the food she serves, to ensure a continuity of care between home and the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The environment for children is bright, visually stimulating and offers different areas where they can choose to play. Space is used creatively so that there is quiet, active and imaginative play opportunities catered for. The areas for indoor play are very well equipped to promote choice for the children. The outdoor area houses a selection of toys, which offer children good choice and promote their enjoyment. Toys and equipment are organised in a way that allows children easy access, for example, toy boxes and low-level storage are available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe and secure within this environment and when on outings as the childminder has due regard for safety procedures. However, the low-level drawer in the kitchen contains items that may be hazardous to the children. The childminder keeps the front door locked at all times, has safety equipment in place and ensures children travel in a vehicle which has appropriate restraints. Emergency fire procedures are in place, which have been practised to familiarise the children with the method of quick evacuation. Children learn the importance of safety for both themselves and for each other through careful explanation by the childminder. They are learning to keep themselves safe as they pick up toys and help the childminder tidy up at certain times of the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of the responsibilities for recording and reporting alleged abuse of a child and maintains the contact details of relevant bodies.

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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 outstanding. Children feel very relaxed and secure in this home because they settle very well with the childminder and others in the setting. They thoroughly enjoy the excellent range of play experiences, which include regular visits to the park and places of interest such as the zoo and the beach. Children spend their time very purposefully, developing their confidence and independence as they choose their play resources from an extremely well resourced playroom. They are developing their language skills as they participate in fantastic experiences, such as role play, crafts and growing plants in the garden. Children love to chat and they thoroughly enjoy the excellent selection of books made available to them. They also love to count, for example, the cars and the dolls, developing their mathematical thinking as they play. Children’s creativity is encouraged through the many exciting activities, which include dressing up and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very enthusiastic in their play, they play happily together sharing and taking turns as they access a wonderful range of toys. They are very proud of their achievements and are eager to share them with others, which promotes their self-esteem exceedingly well. Children benefit from the childminder’s secure understanding of the ages and stages of development of the children in her care and how to meet their needs, promote their development and ensure their well-being. She plans activities which offer an excellent range of experiences, for example, visits to the beach where they collect shells to create collages and design constructions. Children also love to bake cakes and help prepare snacks with the childminder, learning about foods that are good for you and foods we should not eat.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has in place the 'Birth to three matters' guidance, a framework to assist in the implementation of this aspect of practice. She uses this to provide ideas for activities with the under threes. Children have many fantastic opportunities offered to ensure they develop and enjoy their time as they flourish in this environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children have equal access to all the play resources and activities. The children are very much valued and respected as individuals, which helps to give them a real sense of belonging. They are able to experience a positive view of the wider world and increase their awareness of diversity through the selection of images and experiences offered to them. For example, the childminder reads stories about children in other countries and has made a selection of resources available to them, although these are at present few in number.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is very good due to the childminder's positive reinforcement and highly skilled approach to promoting positive behaviour. She takes the time to explain and uses appropriate strategies, taking into account individual levels of understanding. Children are therefore beginning to show care and concern for each other by learning to share toys and to take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is good and significantly contributes to children's well-being. Children's needs are met by daily verbal communication between the childminder and parents. Children are looked after according to parents' wishes and the childminder ensures she has a clear understanding of their opinions and attitudes. This ensures effective continuity for the children between home and the setting.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children feel secure and settled within an extremely well-organised environment. There are effective and clear procedures in place to promote children's learning and development, as well as their welfare. Documentation is appropriately shared and confidentiality is acknowledged. The record of attendance is recorded clearly to show ratios are met, confirming that children have appropriate support and supervision at all times. Written permissions are in place, which ensures parents are clear about all aspects of the childminder's practice. Records are stored in a manner that ensures confidentiality of information. Parents are exceedingly well informed about their children's day as she keeps excellent records including photographic evidence to share with them.

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Organisation

Children are looked after by the childminder in a safe, secure environment where they have room to develop their independence and learning through an excellent range of well planned experiences. The childminder has completed training offered by the local authority. She is also a member of the local network offering care for teen parents. She is extremely committed to developing her practice through further training to ensure the care she provides for the children is of the highest standard.

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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 agreed to ensure accident records are confidential to the named child and to ensure appropriate motor vehicle insurance is held. Accident records have been reviewed to provide individual records. The vehicle insurance has been renewed to ensure that it meets the requirements of the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one complaint made to Ofsted that required the provider to take action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were raised regarding National Standard 2: Organisation, National Standard 3: Care, Learning and Play, National Standard 5: Equipment, and National Standard 6: Safety. Ofsted investigated these concerns by carrying out a visit. An action was raised and met. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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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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

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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): • increase the resources which reflect diversity in a positive manner in particular those which reflect disability • ensure children cannot access hazardous items stored in low-level drawers.

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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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