Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 307669 Inspection date 25 October 2005 Inspector Margaret Baines

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and three children aged 18, 16 and 11 years in a semi-detached property in St Annes. The local area offers toddler groups, the library, parks and all the amenities of a sea side Lancashire town. Facilities within the semi detached home include a lounge, a rear quiet room, a dining kitchen, a ground floor cloakroom and a first floor bedroom at the rear of the house for rest. The family has two cats. Registration is for a total of six children, there are currently three children on role.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and receives support from the Local Authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Activities are well planned and improve the children's physical skills. They become increasingly aware of how activity effects their bodies and know when they need a drink or a rest. They enjoy regular outdoor activities which promotes their good health and development. Children are also encouraged to enjoy a regular sleep in comfort. Children are secure and cared for in warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are developing an understanding of why they must wash their hands and clean their teeth at certain times of the day to avoid ill health from the exposure to germs. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of healthy eating. They enjoy bananas, oranges and fresh vegetables as an example of the healthy snacks provided. Children are provided with regular drinks to ensure they are not thirsty. The

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Helping children to be healthy

childminder is mindful of parental requests and children's preferences in all aspects of the foods she serves to ensure a continuity of care between home and the setting. Children's dietary needs are adequately met in the care of the childminder through her careful planning and attention to detail.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The environment for children is bright, is visually stimulating and offers different areas where they can choose to play. Space is used creatively so that there is quiet, active and imaginative play opportunities catered for. The areas for indoor play are well equipped to promote choice for the children. The outdoor area houses a selection of toys, which extend children’s physical development. Toys and equipment are organised in a way that allows children easy access, for example, toy boxes and low level storage is available. Children are kept safe and secure within this environment and when on outings as the childminder has due regard for safety procedures. She keeps the front door locked at all times, has safety equipment in place and ensures children travel in a buggy with appropriate restraints. Emergency fire procedures are in place and are practiced regularly to familiarise the children with the method of evacuation quickly.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

However, the evacuation practices are not recorded, and the first floor smoke detector is not in working order. Children learn the importance of safety for both themselves and for each other through careful explanation by the childminder. Children’s welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding

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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 of the responsibilities for recording and reporting alleged abuse of a child and maintains contact details of relevant bodies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children feel relaxed and secure because they settle very well with the childminder in the setting. They enjoy their play and this extends outside the home by partaking in outings and socialising with children at the local toddler groups they visit with the childminder. Children spend their time purposefully and they develop well in all areas of learning. They enjoy the books and games, which promote their language development and have very good opportunities to enjoy creative activities. They are very proud of their achievements; are eager to share them with others, which promotes their self esteem very well. Children benefit from the childminder’s understanding of the ages and stages of development of the children in her care. She ensures that she meets their needs and therefore promote their development by getting to know them well. Children benefit from the childminder’s ability to plan activities which offer a very good range of

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

experiences. In particular children enjoy quiet time, constructive play and regular visits to the local park and the places of interest in the community. She is aware of and uses Birth to Three matters, a framework to assist and enhance the care of the younger children. Good opportunities offer children a stimulating and fun day in which to develop and enjoy their time as they flourish in this environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals which promotes a sense of belonging. They are able to experience a positive view of the wider world and increase their awareness of diversity through images and experiences offered to them. For example, they enjoy books, pictures and small world figures to develop their understanding of diversity in a positive way. Children effectively learn about good behaviour through positive reinforcement and excellent role modelling by the childminder who is calm and caring. She takes the time to explain and uses appropriate strategies taking into account individual levels of understanding. Children therefore show care and concern for others and are kind and considerate in sharing toys and playing together harmoniously. The childminder ensures information is obtained from parents and is used effectively to meet the needs of their children. She in turn shares information about herself and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

her family, which forges positive links between home and the setting. Children therefore feel secure within this home. Aspects of practice are shared within policies and procedures to keep parents informed of requirements, which must be met and records are signed appropriately.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and settled within a well organised environment. There are effective and clear policies in place to promote children's learning and development as well as their welfare. Documentation is appropriately shared and confidentiality is acknowledged and maintained. The record of attendance is recorded clearly to show ratios are met confirming that children have appropriate support and supervision at all times. Written permissions are in place which ensures parents are clear about all aspects of her practice. Children are looked after by the childminder in a safe secure environment where they have room to develop their independence and learning through many well planned experiences. The childminder ensures that she develops her practice by attending additional training and has recently updated the first aid qualification in line with current requirements to ensure children’s needs can be met should there be an

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Organisation

emergency. She has a good understanding of the Birth to three matters framework and implements aspects of this in her practice to promote learning for younger children. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide documentation in respect of recording when fire drill practices are undertaken and documentation to include the use of a daily diary and records for all minded children that evidence achievements, progress and special events. She has yet to record practices of the fire drill but she has produced records for each child which detail their achievements, progress and special events.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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

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

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that the emergency evacuation practices are recorded • ensure that the registration certificate is displayed for parents and visitors to observe. • ensure that the smoke detector on the first floor is in working order to protect children from harm

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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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