Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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307883 Unique Reference Number 14 December 2007 Inspection date Joan, Patricia Flowers 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 satisfactory. 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 1992. She lives with her husband and their two grown up children aged 17 and 20 years. They live in a house located on an established housing estate in a suburb of Preston in Lancashire. The house is within close proximity to local schools, shops and parks. Minded children have use of the lounge area, the conservatory and the dining/kitchen area. A rear garden area is available for the children to play out in. There are six children on roll whose ages are one, two, three, four, five and nine years and who attend at various times each weekday.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

A pet cat, dog and goldfish are in the home. Minded children are taken to local carer and toddler groups. The childminder accesses training and support from the local authority Sure Start development team.

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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 satisfactory. Children's health is satisfactorily met because the childminder employs appropriate health and hygiene practices, for example, by ensuring that the family dog is regularly wormed. Children are no longer exposed to first or second hand smoke when they are in the childminders care. This promotes the health of children and also the childminder is meeting the requirements of the National Standards. The childminder follows satisfactory hygiene procedures, such as wiping the changing mat after each nappy change and encouraging children to wash their hands before eating and after using the bathroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a sufficient range of activities which contribute to their good health. They enjoy outdoor play using a range of small equipment, including wheeled toys both in the home and also when they walk to the local park and to nursery, helping them to develop their physical skills and stamina. Children are well rested because the childminder has sufficient understanding of children's individual routines and of providing appropriate sleep and rest times to meet their specific needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They enjoy a variety of fresh fruit on a daily basis provided by parents and served by the childminder. Children are offered frequent drinks throughout the day to quench their thirst, with each having their own drinking cup available for them to independently access when they want.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with a welcoming, family oriented home with comfortable furnishings and equipment that are in a suitable condition. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues and can recognise potential signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. Children are safeguarded because the childminder has attended recent training enabling her to put the required procedures into practice as and when necessary.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is able to keep the children safe and to also help them gain an understanding about their own safety. Children take part in practising the emergency evacuation drill and learn about road safety when walking to nursery, school and local outdoor play spaces. The children are taught awareness of hazards when using toys and equipment to avoid accidents, for example, children are encouraged to pick up toys, thus enhancing their own personal safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The home environment is secure so children are kept safe and cannot leave unsupervised. The childminder provides suitable levels of supervision for children and ensures that they are protected when in the presence of other adults for whom clearance to be with children is not known.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and comfortable in the childminder's care because she is attentive in her care of them, which makes them feel secure. The children develop confidence and self-esteem

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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 when she praises them for their achievements. Children are generally involved in their play and are able to access an adequate range of toys and make choices.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing with the range of toys available. They begin to develop their understanding of numbers as the childminder encourages them to match and count objects in a book with her. They are engaged when they use interactive resources like the nursery rhyme book which stimulates their interest and imagination. Children develop their creative skills as they enjoy baking, drawing, and colouring. They develop their skills further by socialising with other children of various ages when they visit local toddler groups. Children consequently enjoy being in the company of other children and adults allowing their learning and development to be promoted through play as their social skills increase.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have their individual needs met because the childminder communicates with parents daily, actively seeking their views about their child's needs. She uses this information to ensure that she can provide for individual children's learning needs and to promote their enjoyment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to have an awareness of difference through conversations with the childminder and through accessing and playing with resources that provide positive images of other people's differences and similarities. The childminder shows an acceptable attitude and due regard toward the care and inclusion of children with learning difficulties. She communicates regularly with parents regarding their children and provides equal access to the play and learning environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand what is expected of them and respond well to praise for good behaviour and their achievements. This helps them to build their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of appropriate behaviour management methods which children respond well to. Children benefit from the positive partnership that the childminder develops with parents and carers. Their views about their children's needs are actively sought from the beginning. Informal daily discussions take place to ensure that care is provided in the best interest of each child, therefore, children's welfare and progress is promoted. However, parents and carers are not provided with details of the regulator's name, address or telephone number.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are provided with sufficient space to play and can access low level toy storage containers easily, which allows them to make choices in their everyday free play. The organised routine that the childminder follows each day provides children with continuity and the security of knowing what to expect. Children are therefore settled and confident.

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Organisation

The childminder uses some written policies and procedures which are shared with parents and carers. Training has been attended since the last inspection to address gaps in the childminder's knowledge. She is therefore now better equipped to provide a childcare service which promotes children welfare and safety. Required records are maintained in line with regulations, but the daily attendance register is not completed in sufficient detail, giving an ambiguous impression that ratios are being exceeded.

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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 Overall, the provision meets the need of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection on 20 January 2007 actions were raised by Ofsted to: provide a smoke free environment in areas where children are cared for within the home, including exposure to second hand smoke; improving security and safety, including fire safety within the home; increasing knowledge of child protection procedures; increasing resources and activities that promote understanding about diversity and lastly to inform Ofsted of any changes to the premises.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder's initial written response to the first action was found by Ofsted not to be sufficient enough to protect children's health. This has now been suitably resolved in that children are no longer exposed to the effects of passive smoking in the childminder's home. The entrance doors to the home are secured and the shed door has been repaired with hazards in the outside area removed. The childminder has attended child protection awareness training and has increased her resources and opportunities for children to learn about diversity. The conservatory has been checked by Ofsted as suitable to be used by minded children and the childminder is now aware of her duty to inform Ofsted of any changes to her childcare service.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of these improvements, children's health and safety has been improved and the childminder's understanding of the conditions of her registration strengthened, in line with the requirements of the National Standards for Under 8's Day Care and Childminding.

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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 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 satisfactory. 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): • ensure that the name, address and telephone number of Ofsted are made easily available to all parents and carers • provide details within the daily attendance register of the times of arrival and departure of every child.

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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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