Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349628 Unique Reference Number 21 November 2007 Inspection date Ann, Theresa Flynn 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 registered since May 2007. She lives with her partner, two year old child and her dog in the Clayton-Le-Woods area of Bamber Bridge. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor and the majority of the first floor. They also have access to an enclosed outdoor play area.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and currently has three children on roll. She is qualified to level three in child care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children's health is promoted well. A written sick child policy is in place, of which parents receive copies, to inform them of how their children are to be cared for in the event of them becoming ill. A child unwell was cared for appropriately during the inspection, with the childminder ensuring the child's individual needs are met, thus helping to maintain the child's good health.

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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 Children regularly access fresh air and exercise. They play in the garden, walk daily to school and they walk to other facilities, such as parent and toddler groups. Children are involved in activities such as, dance, games of hide and seek and have use of an activity tunnel, all of which helps in promoting the physical well-being of children.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are beginning to understand about good hygiene practice as they are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and following toilet use.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well nourished as they are provided with healthy, nutritional snacks and meals, which include a variety of fruits and vegetables. Drinks are freely available to children, which they access themselves, thus, helping to develop children's personal independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's understanding of healthy eating is promoted because the childminder involves children in discussions about healthy foods during shopping trips, which helps in promoting their understanding of healthy eating and how to maintain their good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well cared for in a well maintained and clean environment. The good organisation of toys and equipment means children can move around safely to enjoy free access to a varied range of resources.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is maintained because the childminder has a detailed health and safety policy in place and undertakes regular written risk assessments of the premises. She has in place separate written risk assessments for the dog and for the housing of medications. Various safety measures are in place to minimise hazards, such as cupboard locks, socket covers and locks on the garden gate, thus ensuring the premises remain safe for children. However, within the first floor bathroom cleaning fluids are accessible to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings because the childminder undertakes written risk assessments of the places to be visited with children. Appropriate equipment is used on outings, such as reins and children are spoken to about the dangers of the road, thus helping to develop their understanding of how to keep themselves safe when away from the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is suitably protected because the childminder has a good understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of concerns. She is aware of the need to document, in detail, her concerns if she is worried about the welfare of any child in her care and is aware of the role of social services and maintains details of the local social services office, thus, helping to keep children in her care safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are provided with free access to a good variety of age appropriate activities, which aid their development. For example, crafts, books, water, dolls, puzzles etc, all of which provides interest and enjoyment for children during their time at the setting.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children engage in activities away from the setting. As they walk to and from school, they visit shops and toddler groups, which helps to enhance children's fun and enjoyment.

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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 Outdoor activities include the growing of sweet peas and then children are involved in harvesting the seeds, thereby helping them to develop their understanding about their environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are developing a sense of achievement by receiving stickers for good work and for various achievements, their work is then displayed. Older children complete forms about their day, which includes writing about their day's activities or drawing. These forms are taken home for parents, again helping children to develop a sense of achievement during their time with the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder follows the 'Birth to three matters' framework to help the children in her care progress. Comments written on the children's work help parents to understand the progress their children are making.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are beginning to learn and understand about the wider world. They learn through discussions, resources and activities. For example, the children are involved in discussing celebrations, such as Chinese New Year. The childminder uses books to help her discuss the needs of others with the children and has resources in place, which she uses to heighten the children's awareness. This helps to develop the children's understanding of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are well met because the childminder provides an inclusive environment for all children who attend. For example, including the young baby in feeling paint during the painting activity. Documentation completed by parents helps to ensure children's individual needs are met, for example, adhering to children's routines, thereby helping to meet the individual needs of all children who attend.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed in a positive way. They accept and work with age appropriate strategies and children are provided with explanations to help them to understand right from wrong. Praise and encouragement as well as stickers are provided, which helps to develop children's confidence, self-esteem and sense of achievement.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are well met, due to the positive relationships which have been established with parents. Information is shared through written policies and procedures, a prospectus, link diaries, verbal discussions, consents and contracts, thus helping the childminder and parents to work together in the best interests of the children. However, there is no parental consents in place for the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice and the complaints policy includes an incorrect address for the regulator. Parents are informed about the 'Birth to three matters' framework, thus keeping them well informed about how their children are helped to progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The day is planned for children, following flexible daily routines, to cater to the individual needs of children. Space used within the home is well organised so that children can play, rest, eat and socialise in comfort and access play resources depending on their choice.

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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 Children receive good levels of support. The childminder provides one to one attention to the children present, being attentive to the children's needs, thereby ensuring their individual needs are well met.

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Organisation

Required documentation is well maintained in line with the National Standards, all documents relating to the safety and welfare of children are shared with parents.

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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

This is the first inspection since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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): • promote children's safety by ensuring hazardous substances, which are housed within the first floor bathroom are made inaccessible to children • develop documentation by revising the wording of parental consents to include consents for the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice. Also ensure the correct address of the regulator is contained within the complaints policy.

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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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