Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY265940 Unique Reference Number 21 December 2007 Inspection date Wendy Fitton 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 registered in 2003. She lives in the Colne area of Lancashire close to the town centre with her two sons aged 14 and 17. There are currently two children on roll attending after school and holidays.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children under eight years. Children have access to a lounge, dining kitchen, rear yard and downstairs bathroom. They do not use the first floor.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is involved with the local childminding network and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are well protected from infection and taken good care of if they have an accident or become unwell. The childminder follows current and appropriate environmental health and

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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 hygiene guidelines. Children are encouraged to follow good hygiene routines as they wash or wipe their hands before food and after outdoor play or messy play. They use individual towels, liquid soap or baby wipes in the bathroom. The premises are very clean and hygienic and the childminder follows cleaning routines to protect children from infection. Children's first aid and medical needs are attended to through permissions for emergency treatment, medicine procedures and accident records. The childminder has completed first aid training. Health policies and procedures meet with National Standards and updated legislation regarding sickness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with regular drinks and food in adequate quantities for their needs. Food is properly prepared, nutritious and complies with any particular religious or cultural needs. Children's records include information about any special dietary needs. Drinks are accessible at all times and children enjoy apple juice, milk and water. Healthy snacks and meals are provided and include breadsticks, vegetable sticks and dips, pasta, sandwiches and home cooked meals. Meals are well organised at the table so children can enjoy a positive social occasion.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development and a healthy lifestyle is promoted through regular exercise and relaxation. They play outdoors on large equipment and toys at the park or in the yard. Children relax and have quiet activities throughout the day as they read stories, snuggle up on the settee and generally unwind. They develop their hand and eye coordination through activities such as threading, drawing, building, making jigsaws and shape sorting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children's development is supported through access to a well organised and welcoming environment that is safe, secure and has suitable facilities for a range of activities. The premises are clean, well maintained and children can move freely without any unnecessary restriction. Children feel a sense of belonging when they see their own art work and pictures displayed. The environment is very homely and child centred and children use a front lounge for quiet activities and the dining kitchen room for arts and crafts. The bathroom facility is downstairs and there is access to a rear outdoor play area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's needs are well met as they access a range of safe, suitable furniture, equipment and toys. For example, there is everyday routine furniture, settees, chairs, a step for the sink, cutlery and crockery and a table for creative activities. Children's physical, creative, imaginative and intellectual needs are met through the provision of construction toys, wooden bricks, role-play and dressing up toys, bats, balls and bicycles and art and craft equipment, books and games. All furniture and resources are in good condition and have been risk-assessed to meet the ages and stages of the children on roll.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes positive steps to promote safety both inside and outside the premises and takes precautions to prevent accidents and minimise risks. Children know about the safety rules, for example not to run inside and to sit correctly on chairs. The childminders' safety policies and procedures ensure security and safety for example at arrival and collection and for fire drills. Parental consents for activities are in place and insurance cover is suitable . All appropriate safety equipment is in place for example, a fireguard, safety gates, socket covers and smoke alarms.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected and safeguarded because the childminder understands her role and duty to protect children from harm. She has recently updated her knowledge and training in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She works to a written policy that is given to

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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 parents and they sign it to acknowledge the procedures to follow in the event of a concern. The childminder is sensitive to signs and symptoms and involves parents at all stages. Details and telephone contact numbers are accessible for local child protection agencies.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's all round development and learning is promoted through access to a range of activities and experiences that develop their physical, social, emotional and intellectual capabilities. For example children are taken to local toddler groups and activity groups in the community. They walk to shops, the park and play on equipment and toys in the yard and at the park to develop their physical skills. Children enjoy creating pictures and models with collage materials, paint and play dough, they use their imagination with the dolls, activity kitchen and dressing up clothes. Children are encouraged to learn when playing number and matching games, reading books and constructing with bricks. They are developing their independence, social skills and manners as they tidy up, meet with other children at the toddler group and library and as they make choices and decisions about what they want to play with and to do.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have confidence and good self-esteem and are developing very positive and nurturing relationships with the childminder. They respond to praise and encouragement and feel secure with the routine as the childminder spends time talking to and supporting the children during their activity. Children freely access the toys and games that are available in both rooms, they ask for games and activities that interest them and play with purpose and concentrate. The childminder responds to children's needs and wishes. She evaluates her plan of activities according to how children comment and has much photographic evidence.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed and valued and have access to all facilities and activities. They learn about the wider world through books, posters and toys and participate in community activities. Children's individual needs are well met because the childminder liaises with parents and has detailed records of each child's needs. All toys and resources are stored at children's level and they can freely access all equipment according to their wishes. Children are fully involved as the childminder has a good understanding of specific needs and takes appropriate action if a child is identified with a learning difficulty or a disability in close partnership with parents and other professionals.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed positively and consistently according to their stages of development and understanding. The childminder has positive strategies in place and focuses on positive behaviour with reward charts and positive recognition. Children are learning to manage their own behaviour and are encouraged to be polite and well mannered. The behaviour policy focuses on positive discipline and children have some time out from an activity to think about their behaviour and the impact on others. Children are positively praised, encouraged and supported at all times and so feel good about themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the positive relationships between their parents and the childminder and these help them feel secure. Parents are given detailed information at the start of care and this includes all organisational policies and procedures, contracts and individual record sheets. The childminder talks to parents on a daily basis to share routines and care practices and completes a daily diary for younger children. There is a parents' notice board and all certificates, complaint

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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 procedures and child protection procedures are on show. The childminder asks parents to complete evaluation sheets about the care their children receive and asks for comments and suggestions. Parents state they are very happy with the care provided and that their children have lots to do and are learning and developing.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well cared for, protected and safeguarded because all adults are vetted and checked. The childminder is experienced and shows commitment to ensuring children are happy and is keen to up date her knowledge and practice through training and development. She has completed all required training in childminding practice and first aid, as well as in child protection and in food hygiene and she is involved at the local childminding network. She is committed to her ongoing professional development and identifies her own development needs as being to familiarise herself with the new early years frameworks.

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Organisation

Children's needs are well met through the effective organisation of space, resources and equipment to allow children to play, rest and eat in comfort and safety. Children access a lounge area for jigsaws, reading, matching games and construction play. They eat at the table in the kitchen and use this table for crafts and messy play. The rear yard is available for physical games with bats, balls, bicycles and scooters; and sand and water play during warm weather. The bathroom facility is downstairs through the kitchen so children can use this independently. Children are well supported and respond to one to one care as there are only two children on roll, after school and in holidays. Routines are flexible and meet the needs of the children attending and include school runs, walks to the park, free play, planned activities and quiet play.

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Organisation

Children's care, learning and welfare is protected through detailed records, policies and procedures being up to date and accessible for the safe and efficient management of the provision. Every child has an individual record form, details of parents emergency contact numbers and any special medical or health requirements are recorded. Attendance registers, medicine and accident records are well documented. There are detailed organisational policies and procedures in place and all records and procedures are known and accessible to parents. The childminder has good knowledge and awareness of the National Standards and has linked all her procedures to each one.

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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 the provider agreed to update her knowledge on child protection referral procedures. She has now completed training in safeguarding children and is aware of the procedures to follow in the event of a concern. Children's welfare and safety is now protected.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1st April 2004 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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Complaints since the last inspection

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

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): • continue identifying and meeting training needs, for example by becoming familiar with the new early years frameworks.

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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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