Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY285242 Unique Reference Number 21 January 2008 Inspection date Shirley Maynard 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 has been a registered childminder since May 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and six years. The family lives in a semi-detached property in the Dill Hall area of Accrington in Lancashire. Children have access to all areas of the house, this includes the lounge with dining facility, kitchen, rear garden, bathroom and three bedrooms. The family has a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time; there are currently six children on roll all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The family home is located close to the M65 and local amenities. The childminder attends playgroups with minded children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health and welfare are important to the childminder. She makes sure they play in an organised and clean environment and learn from an early age the importance of good hygiene practices through daily effective routines. For example, children remove their shoes when they

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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 arrive to ensure they do not play on dirty floors. The childminder actively encourages them to wash their hands before eating and after using the bathroom. However, children use the family hand towel which means the risk of cross-infection is not minimised.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health needs are well met because the childminder holds an up to date first aid certificate. This enables her to deal effectively with minor accidents. This, together with prior consent to take children to hospital in an emergency, means she will act in their best interests if there is an accident. Furthermore, the childminder has all the necessary documents in place and these are maintained to a high standard. For example, the accident book is up to date and includes parents' signatures.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the need to provide children with healthy, balanced and nutritious meals and snacks to aid their growth and development. For example, fresh fruit and vegetables are served daily and older children help themselves to the fresh fruit platter. Their need for a drink is attended to as drinks are available at all times. The childminder discusses children's dietary needs and respects parents' wishes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children greatly benefit from being cared for in a welcoming and safe environment which is clean and well maintained. They have a sense of belonging as they observe their pictures and photographs on the walls in the hall. The toys and resources are easily accessible, suitable for the ages of children attending and stored in low-level storage boxes, for example, construction, small world, dressing up and creative materials. Children also enjoy a secure and well equipped outdoor play area which includes a slide, wheeled toys and a playhouse.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder promotes the safety of the children at all times as she ensures all required safety equipment is in place. For example, smoke detectors are fitted on both levels of the home, plug sockets are in place and safety gates prevent children from accessing areas not suitable for them. Furthermore, an emergency evacuation procedure is well established and practised with the children. This means there will be no delay in them leaving the premises in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in child protection and is very confident of the action to take based on national and local guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and settled with good levels of self esteem, due to the close relationship they have with the childminder; interaction is very positive and children enjoy lots of cuddles and support. The childminder knows them very well and provides activities and play materials which interest them, including role play, craft activities and story time. She gets down on the floor and guides their play. For example, children pretend to make cups of tea and develop their hand-eye coordination as they pour in the milk. They giggle with delight when the childminder drinks the tea.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes children to playgroups and the library, where they enjoy the opportunity to play and socialise with other children and join in group activities. During school holidays the

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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 children thoroughly enjoy regular visits and outings as they explore the wider world. Recently the children have visited a safari park, zoo and park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children are given the opportunity to relax after school. They can watch television, play on the computer or help themselves to a range of age appropriate games, puzzles and books. Children are also given the opportunity to learn from first hand experiences. For example, they regularly enjoy baking and growing plants in small plant pots in the kitchen window. These have included sun flowers and recently children planted crocus bulbs and are eagerly waiting for them to grow.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity for children and anti-discrimination practice and has a written policy in place. She is aware of the need to ensure all children can participate in the activities provided. The children learn about diversity from regular visits and from the resources available which reflect positive images of gender and diversity. For example, children make collages of people from around the world and enjoy looking at a range of quality books and puzzles.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to be polite and well-behaved. They have clear boundaries and house rules, such as sharing resources and respecting the home. The childminder uses age appropriate praise and encouragement and acts as a positive role model by always saying 'please' and 'thank you' to the children. As a result, children play harmoniously. There are currently no children attending with a learning difficulty or disability. The childminder is confident of the action she would take if she noticed a delay in a child's development and would liaise with parents to ensure any need is promptly identified and children sensitively supported in order to promote their welfare.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children's care is enhanced by the information the childminder shares with parents. Regular verbal feedback keeps them informed of their child's time with her. Furthermore, some parents wrote references for the childminder to share with the inspector. All said they were extremely grateful for the quality care their child received and how much their children have progressed since stating at the setting.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from being cared for in an environment which is organised to effectively meet their needs. The childminder is keen to attend training courses to develop her practice and this promotes children's care and learning in a homely environment. Children freely access the quality toys and resources and the childminder devotes her time to playing with the children who are familiar with the routines, which ensures they feel secure, valued and confident.

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Organisation

The childminder has mostly clear documentation in order which is securely maintained. However, the daily registers do not clearly show children's actual arrival and departure times. The comprehensive range policies and procedures work well in practice and are shared with parents. These are up to date and securely stored to maintain children's confidentiality. The childminder displays her registration certificate in the hall to ensure parents are fully ware of her conditions of registration. 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 number of recommendations were made and the childminder has addressed them all successfully.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to fit a smoke alarm on the first floor of the property. She sought advice from the Fire Service who visited the property and fitted an additional smoke alarm. This action ensures children are cared for in a safe environment. She was also asked to widen the range of resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender and disability. Children have access to a range of resources, including dressing up, role play, books, dolls and craft activities, which reflect differences and enable them to learn about diversity during their play.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to update her knowledge on child protection, obtain relevant contact details and increase her own knowledge of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995. She has attended training courses on child protection and supporting children with a learning difficulty and disability. All the required documentation is in place; the childminder has updated her child protection and anti-discrimination policies, which ensures all children are fully included and their welfare protected. Furthermore, the childminder is confident of the action to take should she have a concern about a child in her care.

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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): • review the arrangements for children's hand washing to minimise the spread of infection • extend the daily registers to clearly show children's actual arrival and departure times.

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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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