Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 308007 Inspection date 04 August 2005 Inspector Margaret Baines

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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 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 registered since 1981. She lives with her husband and teenage daughter in a three bedroom, mid-terraced house in Fleetwood, situated within walking distance of Flakefleet school. The whole of the ground floor and a first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are currently four children on roll who attend on a part-time basis. The family have a Shiatsu dog.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and organises local childminders meetings. She receives support from the local authority and has recently successfully completed the NVQ level 3 in Childcare and Education.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children benefit from the very healthy diet provided for them. The childminder provides the children with fresh foods and encourages healthy options which include fresh fruit and vegetables. Children's health and physical development is well promoted by providing them with lots of opportunities for fresh air and exercise. The childminder regularly takes the children out for walks locally, as well as providing them with a good range of outdoor play equipment in the garden to promote their physical skills. The children are cared for in a clean home environment where there is good emphasis on health and hygiene to prevent any spread of infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a well organised home environment, with areas for sleep, play and meals. The outdoor area is safe and is accessed easily from the dining area so that during good weather the children have the choice of playing indoors or outdoors. The home environment is very safe with good safety measures in place. Good emphasis is given to supervising the children well to minimise hazards and develop their understanding about safety. The children are able to choose what they play with and toys are within their easy reach. This allows them choice, promotes their independence and gives them the opportunity to direct their own play. Children are safe because the childminder is aware of her responsibility with regard to child protection and ensures they are safe when in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. The children thrive and enjoy the time they spend with the childminder as they are provided with very good opportunities to engage in a wide selection of planned activities which are designed to aid their development in all areas of learning. The childminder provides a very interesting and exciting day where children have access to an excellent range of resources.

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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 Children learn to socialise as they mix with other children when they visit another childminder. They also have regular visits within the local community to the library, the shops and the beach. Children have very good opportunities to make choices about what they wish to play with from an extensive range of age-appropriate toys and activities. They thoroughly enjoyed the play with the Barbie dolls and the craft activities that the childminder provided to enhance their creativity and raise their self-esteem. She praised them often for their achievements. Children have very good opportunities to enjoy physical play both in the enclosed outdoor area and when out of the home. Children are developing their confidence and self-esteem effectively by having very positive relationships with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Her interaction is very effective as she praises and encourages at every opportunity, for example, delighting in the pictures they completed. Children under 3 have their needs met well through the childminder’s very good understanding of activities for younger children. She is aware of the Birth to three training and includes the guidance in her practice.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children are very much at home in the childminder's house. They are confident and proud, for example, when they draw a picture they are eager to have it displayed on the wall and for their parents to see when they collect them. The children learn about sharing and taking turns as they play together. They enjoy the positive attention and encouragement they receive from the childminder. They can access toys and resources which help them to develop an understanding of diversity. The childminder knows the children and their individual characteristics and preferences well. All aspects of child care are discussed and agreed with parents and carers. As a result, the children's individual needs are very well met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are cared for by a well organised, efficient childminder who has a good understanding of child development. The childminding day is arranged around children's routines and needs as the childminder dedicates her time to playing alongside the children to promote their enjoyment and learning. The childminder ensures that the main documentation relating to the care of the children is well maintained, up-to-date and shared with parents and carers, which ensures that they are well consulted and informed. She is aware that evacuation procedure practices are to be recorded and is ready to attend the first aid course to

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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 update her first aid qualification. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to continue to develop her childminding practice. She has now completed the NVQ level 3 in Childcare and Education which has developed her skills and knowledge so that she has improved the provision for the children in her care.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to report.

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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): • record when the evacuation procedure is practiced to ensure children have good opportunities to learn about safe and swift evacuation of the home • complete the planned first aid course to ensure that children's needs can be met in the event of an emergency

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The quality and standards of the care

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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