Childminder in Blackburn with Darwen

Inspection report for early years provision

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502553 Unique Reference Number 27 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?

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 11 and 15 in Blackburn, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor and front bedroom upstairs are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for four children under five and four children under eight. All children attend on a full and part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a dog.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they are learning the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are developing an understanding of why they must wash their hands before snacks, after toileting and playing outdoors. Children are well protected from the risk of cross infection. For example, the childminder maintains good levels of cleanliness across

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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 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. 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.

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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 promotes their growth and development. The childminder prepares home cooked meals, such as meat, fish, chicken and pasta dishes with plenty of fresh vegetables. Children enjoy snacks of fresh fruit, toast and yoghurt. Children are able to quench their thirst as drinks are readily available and easy to access.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are active and their physical development encouraged. Each day there are good activities to help them develop their health and enjoy the fresh air. For example, on a daily basis they take walks in the local area and visit toddler groups. They enjoy a range of equipment in the garden, such as the climbing frame, slide and sit-and-ride toys. These activities promote children’s fitness and physical development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children play in a warm and welcoming environment. Good use is made of space and areas are used to accommodate different activities. Children are able to move around freely and play in comfort. The childminder provides an extensive range of resources to meet the needs of the children being cared for. She rotates toys to add variety and checks them on a regular basis to ensure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. Children are able to select their own toys which are easily accessible and promotes their independence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well supervised and they understand and respect safe boundaries, for instance, children help to tidy away the toys and sit at the table for snacks and drinks. The childminder has developed comprehensive policies and procedures to enable her to be prepared for emergency situations and to ensure that children are kept safe. 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 sound understanding of her responsibilities for the protection of children. She has clear procedures in place that reflect the Local Safeguarding Children's Board. She has completed advanced awareness training and her increasing knowledge ensures children are safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's all-round development is good and the childminder is aware of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and uses her knowledge to plan the next steps in children's development. The childminder fully understands the short concentration span of young children who are motivated and interested by the childminder's commitment to presenting stimulating activities to maintain their interest, such as making Mothers Day cards, and feeding the ducks in the park. The childminder dedicates time playing and talking to the children on their level. She interacts with them to provide good levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. Children become skilful communicators because the childminder constantly converses with them, introducing new vocabulary to the toddlers. The babies are provided with

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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 a wide range of activities and experiences which help them make good developmental progress. For instance, a treasure basket, art materials, jigsaws, books, musical instruments, light and sound toys. Children are interested, engaged and occupied as they explore different play opportunities within the setting, they share warm relationships with the childminder with hugs freely exchanged. 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.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated with equal concern. The childminder obtains appropriate information from parents to help children settle in her care. She has a clear understanding of the children’s individual needs and knows when they require a sleep, drink or snack.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are free to play with toys, books and games of their choice. They have opportunities to learn about others and the wider world through the use of books, dressing up clothes and small world figures. They have access to resources and play materials that reflect positive images of culture, ethnicity and disability to help develop children's awareness of difference.

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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 make meals and cups of tea in the play kitchen for each other. The children receive lots of praise for their efforts and achievements, the childminder keeps a photo album of all children's activities to help raise their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has developed a good partnership with the 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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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 policies 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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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 a recommendation was raised to ensure sharp knives are kept safe. Children's safety is enhanced as this has been addressed.

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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

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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