Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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301616 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Janet, Elizabeth Singleton 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 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 1998. She lives with her son in the Lammack area of Blackburn. Minded children are cared for in the lounge and dining room with access to the toilet upstairs and one bedroom on a planned basis. There is a secure rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children who attend for a variety of sessions per week. The childminder links with other childminders and attends toddler groups within the local area.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder understands appropriate hygiene practices. They learn about the importance of hand washing before meals and after the bathroom as she talks to them about keeping clean. She uses wipes after snack time and children observe her washing her own hands with antibacterial gel after changing nappies. Although all medication details

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 are recorded accurately, the entries do not maintain the confidentiality aspect. Therefore, other children's accident details can be seen.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a balanced diet including fresh produce, fruit and vegetables. At the time of the inspection, the childminder had prepared a snack of fresh fruit and a savoury bites with children sitting together at the table. Children are given a drink of milk, water or non sugar drinks at various times during the morning. Young children have their needs met because the childminder follows their routine from home. Therefore, the children are cared for in a consistent manner.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play and learn in a home which is very safe and secure with all safety features in place including socket covers and safety barriers. They move freely and confidently throughout the home as they play in the playroom and in the lounge. They make good choices from the wide selection of interesting resources, for example, construction, dolls, small world, drawing implements and interactive toys. They delight in searching for toys of their choosing and have a good awareness of where things are stored, increasing their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and has attended recent training in child protection. She has a good understanding of and is confident of the need to take action should she be concerned about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy and achieve as they are provided with good activities which meet their needs. The childminder has an informal plan of activities which includes free choice of toys and equipment. They delight in searching for the men for the castle, playing with train track and using their imagination as they drive the train under the tunnel. Their social needs are met as they mix with other children when attending the local toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing their confidence and esteem by having very positive relationships with the childminder as the interaction is very good. They are learning about colours and numbers in an informal manner as they play together and the childminder discusses them as they play. The children confidently chatter to the childminder and each other as they draw a bus and talk about the people on the bus. The childminder uses praise effectively and as a result, children's self-esteem and confidence is promoted.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are very welcomed into the setting being valued as individuals and their family respected. The childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity for all children ensuring all can take part in all activities. There are toys and equipment which reflect diversity and disability. As a consequence, children learn about the differences of people in a positive manner.

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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 Children are beginning to understand how to manage their own behaviour as the childminder talks to them about expectations. She distracts young children effectively and acts as a good role model being calm and consistent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder fosters good relationships with parents by sharing information which contributes significantly to the children's well-being. Policies and procedures are shared and opportunities provided for parents to discuss their child to ensure they are fully informed of the care their child receives whilst at the childminders.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder makes effective use of time, space and resources and is very well organised to meet the individual needs of the children. She is pro-active in seeking training to build her knowledge of childcare and education in order to increase her skills. This enables her to promote good outcomes for children.

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Organisation

The required documentation to meet the National Standards is readily available, well maintained and up to date. The childminder has links with other childminders and support from the local childminder network group. She evaluates her practice and is very forward thinking, to ensure she meets children's needs and is familiar with the new childcare policies to improve the care provided for children.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to increase the range of materials which present positive images of disability and to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has obtained a range of resources which include culture and disability and these are available for children on a daily basis. Therefore, children learn about the differences of people in a positive manner. The childminder has obtained written consent for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment and this ensures children's emergency medical needs are met with the consent of the parents.

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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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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

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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): • ensure the confidentiality aspect is maintained when recording accident and medication details.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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