Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 307642 Inspection date 22 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 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 1990. She lives with her two adult children and they live in a semi-detached home in a quiet residential area of New Longton, which is situated on the outskirts of Preston. The home is situated just outside the village centre and is accessible to the local amenities including shops, schools, the garden centre and the community hall. Minded children have access to the sitting room and the dining area/playroom/conservatory. The toilet and washing facilities are on the ground floor. The children sleep in the sitting room or in the playroom. There is an enclosed rear

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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 garden available for outdoor play. There are 8 children on roll under the age of 8 years, who are minded on a part time basis. There were 2 children under the age of 5 years present at the time of the inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children stay healthy because the childminder understands good hygiene practices, for example she wipes children's faces after snack and mealtimes. The children’s wellbeing is maintained because appropriate documentation is in place, for example medication and accident records are kept up-to-date. However, there is no consent obtained for emergency medical treatment and parents' signature is absent from medication records. The children enjoy a range of outdoor play opportunities to promote their physical development, which contribute to their good health. They enjoy fresh air and exercise as they take pleasure in exercising to music and learn to control their bodies. These activities are well planned and improve children’s physical skills. The children's dietary needs are met because the childminder has a good understanding of a balanced diet which includes fruits and vegetables. She ensures

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Helping children to be healthy

parents' wishes are followed for children's diets to ensure their individual needs are met. The children are provided with healthy options for drinks and snacks to enable them to make good choices. The infant's physical needs are met because the childminder follows the children's routines for sleep and feeding, ensuring consistency of care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are very warm and welcoming. As a result, children are very happy, secure and have a sense of belonging. The children can access a selection of age appropriate toys and activities in a safe home environment. The children's safety is promoted because toys are well organised and available on low shelves and in boxes, which children are able to access freely. The children’s risk of accidental injury is minimised by the childminder being conscious of hazards and by placing safety features in place. The childminder helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe, by explaining that they must be wary of strangers. Fire drills are conducted regularly to teach children about keeping safe and consequently children are beginning to have an understanding for their own safety. The children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder discusses safety with them. However, the childminder has not obtained written

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

consent for taking children on outings, which compromises young children’s safety.

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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 The children are safe and their wellbeing protected as the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Young children have a good and positive relationship with the childminder. The children benefit from a close and caring relationship which develops their self-esteem and gives them a sense of belonging. They are provided with resources from which they can self-select and make decisions about their play. The children enjoy and achieve because the childminder provides a good range of activities and opportunities which cover all areas of development. The children develop their physical skills as they are taken to the park and for walks. They learn about colours, numbers and shapes as they enjoy counting the shapes, naming the colours red, blue, yellow and green with enthusiasm and delight. The children enjoy and become animated when singing songs and acting out nursery rhymes. They are encouraged to choose activities for themselves and are equally supported in their choices and receive recognition for achievements and trying. Indoor space, the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

garden centre, visits to community groups and trips to places of interest all allow children to discover new environments and promotes highly stimulating experiences. This provides them with inspiring and challenging opportunities to develop social and intellectual skills. Young children and infants are stimulated through an extensive range of activities, including musical and interactive toys and books. This promotes imaginative opportunity for infants to explore sound, movements and touch senses, for example textures. The infants form strong bonds, which promote their emotional wellbeing contributing to their sense of belonging and happiness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Books, activities and discussion extend the children’s awareness of other people’s similarities and differences. A wide range of resources to reflect diversity are available to extend children’s understanding. The children are able to make positive contributions because they are valued and respected by the childminder. She is a very good role model who speaks to children using reassuring tones. The childminder makes effective use of praise and encouragement as she assists the children's developing behaviour. She promotes manners at all times, for example a child said 'thank you' when the snack was finished. The children behave well and are interested in activities provided. The childminder praises children, which helps them behave appropriately. A positive relationship is fostered with parents because the childminder provides verbal information regarding her care practice. She ensures parents are fully

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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 informed of her care practice as she allows time at the end of each day to discuss their child's time with her.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The organisation of the setting is effective with room for children to move freely and self-select resources. The children learn and play in an environment which is organised to meet their needs and they can play freely, contributing to their sense of belonging. This means children are independent and are able to initiate their own play. She has an informal routine in place which is based on the children's needs, thus enabling them to gain maximum enjoyment from activities provided. The childminder is pro-active in improving her service by attending childcare courses and looking to develop her childcare skills to further meet the needs of all children. The childminder has all regulatory documentation in place. The documentation is well maintained and up-to-date, including children's details, some consent forms and personal details which ensure children's needs are met and safeguarded.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there were three recommendations which needed to be addressed. These were to devise a fire escape plan, to update knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and to provide resources which reflected diversity. The childminder has addressed the above issues; there is fire evacuation plan in place, the childminder has attended child protection training and there are resources to reflect diversity. The children’s safety and overall learning 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 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • make sure emergency medical treatment consent is obtained to safeguard children's wellbeing • ensures parents countersign the written record of medicines given to children • take measures for children's safety by obtaining written consent for taking them on outings.

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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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