Shipperbottom, Tina

Inspection report for early years provision

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500930 Unique Reference Number 06 February 2008 Inspection date Sue Partington 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?

This childminder has been registered since February 2001. She lives with her three children aged 12 years, 10 years and six years old in Darwen, Lancashire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have access to the whole of the premises which consists of the lounge, dining/kitchen, three bedrooms, bathroom and a secure rear garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five years and one child before and after school. Children attend on a full and part time basis and sometimes during the school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties or disabilities.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a well maintained and homely environment. The childminder promotes high levels of hygiene practices to protect children from cross infection. For example, the home is clean and tidy, she uses anti-bacterial gel wash before and after nappy changing and preparation of food and provides the children with individual wipes to wash their hands and faces. They can rest in comfort when they are tired and follow their own routines comfortably in a welcoming setting.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is well informed of children's allergies and medical needs through the documentation she has in place, however, written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is not held for all children. Children are well protected from the risk of cross infection. For example, the childminder maintains good levels of cleanliness across her home. She has completed up-to-date health and hygiene, and food safety in catering training. This enables her to be fully aware of food handling procedures to keep children free from harm.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and dietary needs are effectively recorded and acknowledged. Children enjoy a range of healthy food that promote their growth and development. The childminder prepares home cooked meals, such as meat, chicken and pasta dishes with plenty of fresh vegetables. Children enjoy snacks of fresh fruit, crackers and yoghurt. Children are able to quench their thirst after dancing as drinks are readily available and easy to access.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children experience a good range of physical play activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. Playing outdoors in the childminders garden provides good opportunities for children to develop their muscular strength and physical skills. They bounce on the bouncy castle and peddle bikes and tractors. Visits to the local parks and trips to mother and toddler groups also provide challenging experiences as children learn to climb and jump into ball pools.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are safe and secure. The childminder identifies and minimises risks for children in the home. This means they are able to move around safely, freely and independently. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe and to maintaining children’s safety in the garden when using equipment. Children understand why they need to sit on chairs correctly at the table and take their shoes off before going on the bouncy castle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. She promotes children’s welfare and has the required procedures and documents in place. For example, children take part in practising the evacuation plan so they become familiar with safety procedures.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities for the protection of children. She has completed training and her knowledge of the procedures ensures children are

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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 safeguarded. She has the necessary documentation in place to enable her to respond appropriately in the event of identifying a concern.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and enjoy their time in the childminder’s company and home. The childminder’s cheerful manner and patient approach encourages children to be good humoured and self-assured. They have fun together and form trusting relationships.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder devotes her time to playing with the children. She spends time sitting on the floor supporting children’s learning and following their lead. She recognises children need to achieve and have opportunities to be challenged through play. For example, children are provided with problem solving toys, such as jigsaws, shape sorters and building a tower with different sized blocks, which help to promote their thinking skills. The childminder uses everyday opportunities to promote children’s learning as they identify the colours of felt tips and count on their fingers.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s all round development is good. Children are interested, engaged and occupied as they explore different play opportunities within the setting. Children are able to freely choose what they want to play with as the resources are well organised and stored at child height, helping to develop choice and independence. The childminder has knowledge of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, however, could further extend children's learning by using this to plan activities for specific children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed and treated with equal concern because the childminder values and respects their individuality and the family context of each child. Children develop a positive attitude towards others as the childminder answers their questions about similarities and difference in an appropriate and sensitive manner. She promotes an inclusive setting where all children's individual needs are recognised and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works in partnership with the parents to ensure that behaviour management is consistent for the children. She uses age appropriate strategies to manage children's behaviour and provides varied activities to prevent the children from becoming bored. Children are very well behaved and cooperative with one another. For example, they negotiate well as they build the tower higher and higher. The children receive lots of praise for their efforts and achievements to help raise their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder's friendly, open approach contributes to establishing good relationships with parents and provides a comprehensive portfolio which is shown and discussed with parents at the initial meeting. This helps to forge an effective working relationship and a shared understanding with parents from an early stage. Information about individual children's progress and interesting events are verbally shared with parents on a daily basis to ensure the continuity of care.

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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 at home and at ease in the welcoming, friendly environment. This means they are confident, independent and able to initiate their own play and learning in the bright and well organised rooms. The day is well planned for the children's enjoyment with consistent routines to ensure their well-being. Children receive plenty of individual attention and the sharing of experiences on a daily basis helps them to feel secure.

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Organisation

The childminder ensures children are safe and actively seeks a range of training to enhance her skills, knowledge and experience. This continual development of her childminding practice ensures good outcomes for children.

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Organisation

Records relating to the care of the children are well organised, accessible and stored in individual files to ensure confidentiality. There are a range of comprehensive and detailed polices and procedures to promote the welfare, care and development of 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 a recommendation was raised to make sure that children are unable to access the kitchen when cooking. Children's safety is enhanced as the childminder has addressed this.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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): • ensure written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment is in place for each 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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