Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for early years provision

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317116 Unique Reference Number 09 August 2007 Inspection date Sandra Elizabeth Williams 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 1983. She lives with her husband in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding as well as the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding 15 children aged from 11 months to 12 years. She occasionally minds with a co-childminder, and together they may care for a maximum of eight children. The childminder lives close to local schools, shops, parks and other useful amenities. The family has a budgerigar and a pet dog, which are kept separate from minded children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and the Furness Childminding Network.

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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 are very well protected from the risk of infection because the sick child policy is effectively implemented by the childminder. She keeps children safe by making sure the house is kept clean and hygienic and the pet dog is kept separate from the children. She is able to respond appropriately in a medical emergency or accident, due to her considerable experience and training. She holds a current first aid certificate, which equips her with the skills to support the health needs of babies and young children. There is a well equipped first aid kit, which is easily accessible in an emergency. Detailed records are kept of accidents and medication and they are countersigned by parents. However, the current system of recording does not ensure complete confidentiality. Children learn about good hygiene because the childminder acts as a good role model, by following very hygienic practices. For example, children wash their hands

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical activity both indoors and outdoors. They particularly relish their visits to the nearby park, which provides them with good opportunities to develop their physical skills. They also enjoy playing in the well equipped garden with toys, such as swing ball, prams and slides. The co-childminder is a qualified swimming instructor and the children really enjoy going for swimming lessons in the nearby swimming pool. If the weather is poor, the children still enjoy physical exercise as they dance on the dance mats to their favourite music and develop their skills in rhythm and coordination. Children are well nourished and enjoy healthy and wholesome food each day. The children bring their own packed lunches and in addition, the childminder provides healthy snacks such as fruit and drinks. The childminder is very aware of children's special dietary requirements and works closely with parents to meet the children's

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's safety is taken very seriously by the childminder, who pays careful attention to safety both within the setting and on outings. The children are able to move about with confidence as the childminder has organised space effectively so that they have the ability to make choices about what they would like to play with, helping them to develop their sense of independence. The environment is welcoming to children as the childminder provides plenty of play equipment, easily accessible for the children at low-level. Children are protected from harm as the childminder checks the equipment regularly and ensures that it is maintained in good order.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe as the childminder has a good understanding of health and safety in the home and on outings. She has an emergency evacuation plan, which is practised on a regular basis so that children know what to do in an emergency situation. The children understand how to keep themselves safe when on outings as they learn about the Green Cross Code, thus heightening their awareness of the need to be vigilant and careful. The children's safety is further enhanced as they wear wrist bands when they are on outings in case they should get lost. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and is knowledgeable about how to protect children should the need arise.

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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 enjoy extremely positive relationships with the childminder in this nurturing and welcoming environment. Children are very confident and show great interest in all they do. Children of all ages are provided with an exceptional range of exciting experiences each day and are confident to try new and different activities. Children are making very good progress and are fully able to engage themselves in activities of their own choice for extended periods of time. This is particularly evident as the children are engrossed in their play. The children have access to a wonderful range of up-to-the-minute toys that are carefully chosen to ensure that they interest the children. These include a lap top for the children and various interactive games.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are very confident and sociable, relating well to the childminder and visitors. They frequently converse animatedly and are developing their language for thinking as they chat to each other during play. Children choose books to look at and have many opportunities for counting. Children take part in an array of different activities to help them develop their creative and imaginative skills, such as glass painting, face painting, dance, role play and stories.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children benefit greatly from the excellent variety of activities and outings organised for them. The childminder really makes the most of the resources available to her in the community to help the children learn and develop in all areas. The children enjoy going for walks in the nearby countryside in search of blackberries. The childminder has scrap books full of photographs of the children undertaking lots of different activities, so that the parents have a record of their children's development and progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. The childminder has an expert knowledge and understanding of the needs of children with learning difficulties and disabilities and has an excellent reputation locally. Children with individual needs receive exceptional care due to the childminder's skilful ability to integrate them and to adapt activities to enable them to join in. All of the children have wonderful opportunities to mix with each other and they learn about respecting others who may be different from themselves. The children benefit greatly from the childminder's genuine interest in children and from her commitment to continued learning. She has undertaken numerous courses to enhance her practical skills in looking after children with all types of individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to develop very positive attitudes about a diverse society and have lots of opportunities to socialise with a wide range of people. There is a good range of resources that help children respect and have a positive attitude towards our multicultural society. They have access to resources such as dolls and books, suitable for all ages. The children learn about their local community by having regular trips to the park and swimming pool.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are highly respected by the childminder and much effort is made to ensure that the parents' wishes are adhered to in order to meet the children's individual requirements. Children are valued and respected as individuals and their needs are very well met. The children are praised for their behaviour and individual achievements, thus building their confidence and self-esteem. This helps the children to feel secure in their environment. The children play harmoniously together. They take turns and learn to negotiate well. The childminder has developed extremely positive and trusting relationships with the parents and

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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 shares information with them on a daily basis. She has many 'thank you' letters and references from satisfied parents and was recently presented with a bouquet of flowers and a public thank you in an article in the local newspaper.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is good because of the efficient organisation and the childminder's day-to-day management of the provision. Children benefit greatly from the childminder's good understanding of child development. She is committed to keeping up-to-date with current childcare practices and is prepared to update training whenever necessary. The level of individual attention received by the children is good and this clearly benefits their welfare and development. Children's needs are effectively supported through the childminder's thorough recording systems. Records and documentation are in place and meet the required standard, which contributes to the continuity of care for the children. The documentation is kept in very good order, up-to-date and well organised. The children's individual needs can be well met due to the comprehensive records and important information, which is efficiently filed and

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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 it was agreed that the childminder would further develop knowledge on current behaviour management practices. The childminder has taken steps to address this and is committed to keeping up to date with current practices.

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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 records 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): • review arrangements for recording accidents and medication to ensure confidentiality.

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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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