Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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301656 Unique Reference Number 17 January 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 1993. She lives with her husband and three children in the Roe Lee area of Blackburn. The minded children have access to the dedicated playroom, lounge and kitchen with a secure outdoor play area. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding five children who attend for a variety of sessions per week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder attends the local toddler groups and a music group an a Tuesday morning. She is part of the Blackburn with Darwen support network for childminders. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children develop an excellent understanding of significant health practices as they take part in topics regarding 'clean hands' and the 'smiling for life' approach to their diet. They create a fantastic poster to display in the bathroom regarding the washing of hands. They each have

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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 an individual hand towel and readily discuss the need to wash their hands properly using the liquid soap. They have a very balanced diet and discuss the properties of food, demonstrating their superb understanding of their dietary needs. They know they need a balance of all types of food and that sugar is bad for them as they sit and talk about grapes and apples being good foods and sweets being unhealthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

All the required documentation to maintain children's excellent health is in place, up to date and completed accurately.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children play and learn in an exceptional environment where they can access extremely good resources including books, construction, small world and role play. They mostly play in the dedicated playroom which they helped to choose the décor for, giving them a sense of belonging and their own sense of self. They access the exceptional toys that stimulate their imagination as they choose the necessary resources to make their puppets. They make superb decisions regarding resources they wish to use from the vast range of securely stored toys and equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Safety is given a very high priority and children take part in discussions about why they need to be careful and not leave small items out because the babies will put the small parts into their mouths. This enables them to understand all about safety and their role in keeping safe and how their actions may affect other children's well-being. Risk assessments are in place and daily checklists are completed with the children being involved, enabling them to understand the reasons why. Children comment during the puppet show that the clown had done something wrong, 'because he talked to a stranger'. They repeat the need for the puppet to 'look, listen and be careful' when crossing the road, demonstrating their considerable understanding of safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is extremely well protected because the childminder has a considerable knowledge and understanding of child protection. She is fully aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is very confident of the procedure to be followed in the event of an issue arising.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children enjoy and achieve as they all sit together and participate in a lovely experience of reading a book about hospitals. They talk about people they know who have been in hospital and that babies are born in hospitals as they are fully absorbed in the topic. They make superb puppets using glue, glitter and other materials and then put on their own fantastic puppet show. They are animated, excited and involved as they use their imagination to produce the brilliant performance of a fairy show and the king of the fairy show. They are delightful as they act out their show, being very confident, highly occupied and very interested. They offer their ideas and show high levels of independence during their play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a delightful relationship with the childminder as they talk about what they are doing. She includes numbers, colours and shapes and the children are confident in naming them during their play. The childminder plans an effective range of topics for the children, following themes of work, for example, puppets, healthy food and experiments. Their development is promoted in an imaginative, exciting and wonderful manner.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are welcomed into the setting, being extremely valued as individuals and their family respected. The childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity for all children and is highly effective at promoting their understanding. The children learn about people's differences in a very positive manner, because there are toys and equipment available to them at all times. There are posters displayed representing culture. There is a welcome poster in many languages displayed. They access books about all sorts of people as they are surrounded with positive images of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder builds effective relationships with parents by sharing good quality information within the entrance hall, of all aspects of her practice. Policies and procedure are shared with parents and feedback from them is very positive and demonstrates their awareness of topics and activities provided for their children. However, the incorrect telephone number for parents to contact Ofsted is displayed.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder makes fantastic use of space, time and resources by having a dedicated playroom and including children in decisions that affect them. The children move freely and access the readily available, comprehensive range of toys which gives them an outstanding opportunity to make choices. Children's care is enhanced by the childminder promoting their well-being and overall development in a very positive and exciting way.

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Organisation

All the required documentation to meet the national standards is readily available, well maintained and up to date, being very individual to the childminders own practice. The childminder is proactive in seeking training to update her knowledge and skills in childcare. She has attended training courses, for example, outdoor play and smiling for life. She organises her documentation to show how she promotes the outcomes for children in an outstanding way.

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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, it was recommended that the childminder increase the toys and equipment which present positive images of disability. The childminder has provided a vast range of resources for children including disability, culture and gender. This enables children to access the resources and learn about the differences of people in a positive manner.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004, 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 correct number for contacting Ofsted is displayed for parents.

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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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