Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 309103 Inspection date 03 November 2005 Inspector Debra, Elizabeth Mitcheson

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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 is a qualified Nursery Nurse and has been registered for five years. Following a recent variation to the certificate of registration, she is registered to care for four children, three of whom may be under 5 years of age. The childminder lives with her husband and three children aged 9 years, 6 years and 9 months, in a property in Cliviger. She is currently minding eight children between the ages of nine months and nine years. The children attend on a part-time basis. The children have access to all downstairs areas including a bathroom. One bedroom

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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 is used for children who need to sleep. The rear garden is not accessible to the children, but there are local parks and fields in the neighbourhood. Children are taken to local toddler groups and activity groups, spending time with other childminders and their children. There is a family dog that stays in the utility room when children are present.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children maintain good health at this setting because the childminder implements effective hygiene practices on a daily basis. These include a rigorous cleaning regime and effective nappy changing procedure. Children clearly understand why personal hygiene is important. This is observed during hand washing and role play. Children remind the younger ones to, 'wipe your nose, we do not want germs, do we?'. The childminder's good understanding of food nutrition means that children are well nourished and have drinks throughout the day, which are accessed independently. Meals are varied and hygienically prepared using fresh fruit, meat, fish and vegetables. Younger children consolidate their learning about healthy foods as they burst into the song 'Five a Day'. Older children learn successfully about healthy living as they are encouraged, on occasion, to bake and prepare their own meals and

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Helping children to be healthy

snacks. Mealtimes take place at the dining table, which are relaxed social occasions. Children talk, excitedly, at snack time about their imminent trip, to the cinema, to see "Nanny McPhee”. Access to a large amount of robust, exercise ensures children’s health and physical development is promoted through well-planned indoor and outdoor activities. This helps children develop confidence moving their bodies in various ways, for example, they take walks to the local park to follow the squirrel trail, practise dance to music and do gymnastics. Babies also have the opportunity to move freely and independently around the setting, crawling, kicking, stretching and bouncing in the baby chair.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into a home that is child orientated, safe and secure because the childminder has taken rigorous steps to ensure that hazards to children on the premises, both inside and outside, are minimised. All features such as safety gates are in place and conform to safety standards. All available space is utilised well to provide children with the opportunity to relax, eat, play quietly or sleep. Various rooms of the house are arranged to maximise play opportunities to promote children’s physical, intellectual, emotional and social areas of development, for example, the games room is arranged as a home corner for imaginary play.

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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 Robust procedures are in place to ensure that children’s safety is paramount. These include practices to be followed by the children indoors and on outings, for example, children are reminded that 'chairs are for bottoms, not feet' and to follow the 'green cross code' during outings. Children are well protected as the childminder clearly identifies with her role, in relation to child protection issues, and has a policy to follow in line with the Area Child Protection Committee procedures if she had any concerns regarding the children in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Good, warm and caring relationships between the childminder and children are evident. They communicate easily with each other and this enables children to enjoy and achieve. Children separate readily from their parents, they are pleased to be in attendance. They cannot wait to take off their coats and get involved in the morning activities. The childminder has a clear understanding of how children learn and progress. This knowledge and her observations of the children's development are used to provide a wide range of activities and experiences to move children on in their next stages of development. Children are engrossed in their choice of activities. These include imaginary play, craft, dressing up, drawing, singing and a trip to the cinema. They react well to challenge during a craft activity of making fireworks. Older children use their initiative when setting up the activity and when choosing materials.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children are making good progress in their physical, intellectual, emotional and social areas of development because the childminder plans purposeful activities, resources and space to support their learning whilst having fun. For example, children enjoy using their imaginations in role play and demonstrate, during this activity, a clear understanding of acceptable behaviour. This shows how they are beginning to make the distinction between right and wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder is a positive role model for children in her care. She is calm, consistent and polite. Praise and explanation is given freely to children, which ensures that they develop confidence and self esteem. Children delight as they are told of a trip to the cinema. This is a reward for their excellent and cooperative behaviour during the school holiday. Babies squeal with delight as they receive smiles and positive encouragement at meal times and as they crawl from room to room. All children are fully included in the life of this setting as the childminder implements her practice in accordance with a comprehensive pack of policies that are agreed

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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 with parents. Information is shared with parents on a daily basis. However, the current complaints policy needs to be revised in line with recent changes in requirements. A complaints record must be introduced which should be shared freely with parents, link to the National Standards and be kept up to date. Parents sing the childminder's praises and explain that their children are eager to attend the setting and get upset because they have to go home. Children have a strong sense of belonging at the setting. They are acknowledged and their ideas are recognised. Children are responded to positively by the childminder, for example, when children with short concentration spans are eager to move on to the next activity existing toys are tidied away and the dressing up box is

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Helping children make a positive contribution

introduced. Their knowledge and understanding of their community and wider society is encouraged by celebrating festivals and accessing a broad range of resources, play opportunities and activities, that reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural differences. Children have visited the Burnley Cultural Festival in the Park.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and settled within this well organised setting. This means the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development and meeting the individual needs of children in her care. The adult: child ratio positively supports children's care, learning and play, for example, specifically caring, on occasion, for children over the age of five years enable these children to enjoy a trip to the cinema. There are clear and effective policies in place to provide the efficient and safe management of the setting, for example behaviour and fire evacuation procedures. These are shared with parents to promote children's health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution at this setting. Documentation is appropriately shared and confidentiality is acknowledged and maintained. The childminder is aware of notifying Ofsted of any significant changes

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Organisation

or events at this setting. This ensures that children continue to receive good quality childcare provision, within a safe environment and where the childminder who cares for these children continues to be suitable to do so. Overall, the childminder is successful in promoting all outcomes and meeting the needs of all children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, both issues relating to documentation have been successfully addressed. Accident records are recorded on individual sheets, which ensure confidentiality in relation to the children cared for, and an up to date, record of children's attendance demonstrate that adult child ratios are maintained to support children's care, learning and play.

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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 There are no complaints to report. 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): • revise the complaints policy for parents and introduce a complaints record, in order to meet new registration requirements.

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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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