McGarry, Joanne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY303280 Inspection date 26 August 2005 Inspector Anna Barnes

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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 2005. She lives south of Preston with her husband and daughter aged 16 months. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding, except for the front lounge. There is a garden area for outside play. The childminder is currently registered to mind three children under 8 years and there is currently one child on roll. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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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 secure and cared for in a very warm, clean home. They stay healthy and learn about personal hygiene because the childminder follows appropriate health and hygiene procedures, for example, encouraging the children to wash hands or use wipes before meals and snacks and after toileting. She continues to implement hygienic procedures surrounding food preparation, in order to prevent the spread of infection. Children stay healthy because the childminder has a good understanding of dealing with first aid and sick children. She deals with any emergencies promptly, by contacting parents immediately. Accident and medication records are maintained and used to ensure the children's health needs are well met. Children are well nourished and encouraged to learn about healthy eating. They have their dietary needs well met because the childminder provides home-cooked nutritional meals and snacks, for example, fish pie with sweet potato, fruit and

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Helping children to be healthy

yoghurt together with frequent drinks such as juice, water and milk. Requirements are agreed with parents, thus meeting children's individual needs. Children enjoy fresh air and physical exercise because the childminder provides varied opportunities for the children to use a good range of outdoor toys and equipment in the secured play area. For example, push along toys, sand pit, swings and slides are used to develop mobility, thus promoting physical development in a fun way.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, safe indoor and outdoor environment because the childminder mostly identifies and minimises risks for children in the home. For example, the premises are secured, cleaning materials are on a high level or in secured cupboards and fire safety equipment and procedures are in place. Children use suitable and safe play equipment that is varied and in good condition. Children keep themselves safe because the childminder provides an appropriate age range of toys that are organised in low-level containers enabling the children to access them easily and safely. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder develops their knowledge and understanding of how to behave, for example, when walking home and road safety. Children are taught awareness of hazards when using toys and equipment to avoid accidents. For example, children are encouraged to pick up toys,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

learn how to climb steps and use apparatus safely, thus enhancing their own personal 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 Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of potential signs of abuse and neglect, and where to report any child protection issues. She knows who to contact if she felt a child was at risk of harm, thus protecting children from abuse and neglect.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and comfortable in the childminder's care because she is confident and attentive in her care of them, this makes them feel secure. The children develop confidence and self-esteem when the childminder praises them for sharing, being helpful and kind to each other. Children show interest in what they do because the childminder is alert to their developmental needs and provides a range of toys and play opportunities to develop their emotional, physical, social and intellectual learning. Children are involved and engaged in the activities and experiences provided. For example, children take part in imaginative, creative and physical activities; they enjoy finger painting, posting shapes in a shape sorter, developing language through flash cards and identifying objects, thus developing their skills in a fun way. Children acquire new skills as the childminder supports their learning by answering

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

questions, encouraging children to learn and match objects, shapes, colours and faces using memory cards. Language development is encouraged through listening to stories, singing, playing musical instruments and introducing simple sign language, thus developing children's understanding and reinforcing their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to respect and show concern for each other. Children’s individual needs are catered for to enable inclusion in the setting where the childminder acts as a good role model, encourages positive attitudes and understanding of others through discussion and resources. The childminder encourages children's learning about other countries, through resources, activities, books and small world toys, thus helping children learn about the wider world. The childminder shows a positive attitude and due regard towards the care and inclusion of children with special needs. She communicates effectively with parents regarding their children's needs and as a result children are given the same opportunities. Children have established good relationships with the childminder who sets clear boundaries that children understand. She manages children's behaviour by using age appropriate strategies, explanations, time out, praise and encouragement for good

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behaviour and individual achievements, which encourages them to behave well. Children's individual needs are met because the childminder has established positive

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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 relationships with parents by sharing information, by working to meet children's individual needs and by agreement regarding behaviour, thus promoting continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are well protected and cared for by the childminder. She has an understanding of supervision, vetting procedures and maintaining adult-child ratios, thus enhancing the safety of the children. Children play freely and safely because the childminder organises available space appropriately. Low level storage allows children to access resources easily thus allowing them to make choices in daily routines. In general, the childminder uses procedures to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. However the register did not show the actual times of arrival and departure, information regarding behaviour management was unclear and the complaints procedure lacked all the necessary information. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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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): • minimise risks to children in relation the glass door on the video cabinet

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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 • improve documentation to include the actual times of arrival and departure of children attending, contact numbers for child protection, clear information on behaviour management and where to make a complaint.

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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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