Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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309156 Unique Reference Number 13 February 2008 Inspection date Josephine Ann Northend 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 lives with her husband and two children, aged 12 and nine years. They live in a house located in Lytham. The main areas used for minding are the playroom, breakfast room-kitchen and garden. The home is close to the local shops and amenities including the library, parks and woods. The family has a pet dog and cat that minded children have supervised access to.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2001 to care for four children under eight years. There are currently four children on roll. The childminder has a level 3 National Vocational Qualification in Childcare and is a member of the National Childminding Association and Fylde Childminder Network, she is also working towards the quality assurance scheme Children Come First.

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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 outstanding. The childminder ensures that children's large physical skills are promoted exceptionally well. Children use an extensive range of large equipment both indoors and outdoors every day. Activities include, walking to school, visits to local parks and toddler group. Children play in the childminder's garden and use a range of equipment including cars, a see-saw, tricycles and scooters. Indoors they ride the tricycle up and down the childminder's long kitchen. Feeding, nappy changing and sleeping take place in accordance with the child's individual needs and not as part of the childminder's routine.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has excellent hygiene routines in place to protect and promote children's health. The clear policies and procedures in place regarding sick children, medication and accident recording, ensure children's health needs are extremely well met. Excellent procedures followed by the childminder result in children being protected from the spread of infection, for example, as they learn why they need to wash their hands before eating and use individual towels to prevent cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates excellent understanding of healthy eating and she works with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. Children receive a varied and nutritious diet, all meals are home cooked; this means the childminder is aware of what they contain. Children have access to drinks throughout the day.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a child orientated and friendly home where most risks are identified and minimised. The childminder completes written risk assessments to support her practice. This means children are able to move around safely, freely and independently. However, an air freshener in the toilet area is accessible to the children and poses a hazard. The childminder has good procedures in place for the safe transport of children, for example, appropriate car seats and restraints. A detailed fire plan is in place. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised regularly with the children and the record is maintained clearly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Furniture, equipment and toys, which are of good quality and in a safe, well maintained condition, are provided to promote children's development and welfare. Toys and resources are stored so that children can reach them easily, make choices and develop their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has all the required procedures and documentation in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. They are well protected as the childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities with regards to child protection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are well settled and happy in the childminder's care as they sing spontaneously and laugh out loud. They have warm relationships with the childminder and they learn to be increasingly independent as a result of the of support, praise and encouragement given to them. Communication skills are well supported through good adult-child interactions, for

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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 example, children enjoy story time with the childminder and are keen to point out features or predict what will happen next.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder demonstrates good understanding of how children learn and she is very aware of the children's developmental stages. An interesting range of activities are planned and undertaken which take into account children's individual interests. The childminder makes good use of the local amenities to further enhance children's experiences, for example, toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Activities and play opportunities are purposeful and developmentally appropriate, resulting in children acquiring new skills and knowledge. The children receive good support from the childminder and they are involved in a wide range of activities that promote learning. For example, as they visit a local farm and learn about the animals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn about the local and wider society through the resources and activities provided by the childminder. These include visits in the local and wider community. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice as she ensures all children are fully involved in the life of the setting, this means they feel valued and free from discrimination. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards caring for all children, including those with physical disabilities or learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. The childminder helps them to negotiate and take responsibility for their own behaviour by supporting them, being a positive role model and encouraging the children to share and care for one another. The childminder uses her experience well to provide a positive atmosphere in which children can feel relaxed and secure. The sincere praise they receive from the childminder promotes their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive partnership the childminder has developed with their parents. References describe the childminder as providing a home from home environment and high standards of care. A home to childminder diary and verbal information is shared each day. This enables the childminder to meet each child's individual needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children are settled with the childminder and in the environment. This means that they are happy in their play. Space is used well to cater for the children's play needs. They are able to move around confidently. Adult-child ratios are maintained with good organisation of time to allow children one-to-one attention and meet individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder has a positive attitude to training and has completed a level three childcare qualification since her last inspection. All required records are in place and are maintained well. Policies and procedures support good practice, safeguarding children's welfare and ensuring parents are well informed of their children's progress. This means the care of children is promoted. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve safety and update documentation. Risk assessments are now completed and they show how children can play outside safely. Smoke alarms are now in place at each level of the house. This means children's safety is promoted. Documentation now includes clear information about the children and parents. The documentation is now maintained well, stored securely and is available for inspection.

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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 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): • make sure air fresheners are inaccessible to children.

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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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