Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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502118 Unique Reference Number 18 January 2008 Inspection date Margaret Baines 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 2000. She lives with her husband and three children in a semi detached house in the village of Churchtown near Garstang.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The areas for childminding include the front and rear lounge, the conservatory and the kitchen/dining room. There is also a ground floor cloakroom and an enclosed outdoor play area. The first floor rooms are not accessible to the minded children. The family has two guinea pigs as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder presently has two children on her register. She receives support from the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a good range of activities which contributes to their good health. For example, children enjoy regular outdoor play in the secure rear garden plus walks in the locality. Activities

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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 are planned to improve the children's physical skills. Consequently children are becoming increasingly aware of how activity affects their bodies and know when they need a drink or a rest.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are secure and cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are developing an understanding of why they must wash their hands at certain times of the day to avoid ill health from exposure to germs. For example, they are keen to wash their hands after playing outdoors. However, at present the children do not have their own towels. The childminder holds a first aid certificate and has in place all required written permissions. Consequently she feels confident to deal with a first aid situation should one occur.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to enjoy a good range of healthy meals and snacks. The childminder ensures that children eat lots of fresh fruit and vegetables as part of the planned menus.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to drinks at all times, which ensures they are not thirsty. Children also enjoy baking with the childminder. She is mindful of parental requests and children's preferences in all aspects of the foods she serves to ensure a continuity of care between home and the setting. Children's dietary needs are adequately met in the care of the childminder because she plans meals carefully.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are looked after in a safe and secure environment both indoors and out. The childminder gives high priority to safety and undertakes regular safety checks to identify and minimise risks to children. Children enjoy the freedom to move around independently as they choose an activity to pursue from the many available to them in the lounge and the playroom. Children learn about fire safety because the childminder carefully explains the procedure and has practised this with the children. Children are learning about keeping themselves safe through the sensitive explanations given by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Dedicated rooms for play and sleep provide children with both quiet and more vigorous play areas. Children may rest in the front room or curl up on the sofa, whichever meets their needs and parental requests. The childminder ensures activities are age appropriate and children enjoy them in safety, for example, the baby enjoyed exploring his surroundings in complete safety as he pushed the truck and played with the trains. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises choices to ensure children play with appropriate toys suitable for their stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safe because the childminder is aware of her responsibility with regard to child protection. She demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of child protection issues and how to safeguard children in this area. However, it is some time since she has updated her knowledge in this area to enhance the care for the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children feel relaxed and secure because they settle very well with the childminder and others in the setting. They enjoy their play and this extends outside the home by partaking in outings and socialising with children at the local toddler groups they visit with the childminder. Children

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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 spend their time purposefully. They are developing their language as they enjoy chatting and they love the good selection of books made available to them. They enjoy playing with the cars, the dolls and the small world animals. Children’s creativity is encouraged through the good activities the childminder has available for them. For example, they enjoy painting, small world play and baking with the childminder. The outdoor area provides a good selection of toys and apparatus for the children to enjoy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are enthusiastic in their play. They are encouraged to play happily together, sharing and taking turns. They are proud of their achievements and eager to share them with others, which promotes their self-esteem very well. Children benefit from the childminder’s understanding of the ages and stages of development of the children in her care and how to meet their needs, promote their development and ensure their wellbeing. She plans activities which offer a good range of experiences.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' guidance, a framework to assist in the implementation of this aspect of practice. She has used this to enhance her good practice. She ensures that she offers children good opportunities and variety, therefore they develop and enjoy their time as they flourish in this environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals because the childminder gets to know them very well. They therefore develop a good sense of belonging. They are able to experience a positive view of the wider world and increase their awareness of diversity through images and experiences offered to them. For example, they enjoy books, stories and small world figures, which depict our wider world in a positive way.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children effectively learn about good behaviour through positive reinforcement and good role modelling by the childminder, who is calm and caring. She carefully explains to children the importance of being kind and helpful. She uses appropriate strategies to manage behaviour, taking into account individual levels of understanding. Children therefore show care and concern for others and are learning to be kind and considerate, sharing toys and playing together harmoniously.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures information is obtained from parents and is used effectively to meet the needs of their children. She in turn shares information about herself and her family, which forges positive links between home and the setting and benefits the children, who feel secure within this home. The childminder has available policies and procedures to keep parents informed of requirements which must be met, and records are signed appropriately.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel secure and settled within an organised environment. There are effective and clear policies in place to promote children's learning and development as well as their welfare. Documentation is appropriately shared and confidentiality is acknowledged and maintained. The record of attendance is recorded clearly to show ratios are met, confirming that children have appropriate support and supervision at all times. Written permissions are in place which inform parents about all aspects of practice.

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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 are looked after by the childminder in a safe, secure environment where they have room to develop their independence and learning through both planned experiences and free play. The childminder is keen to develop her practice by attending additional training. She attends short courses offered by the local authority to enhance her practice.

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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 childminder agreed to ensure all low level drawers are free from hazardous items and all low level glass is made safe. All drawers have been made safe and the low level glass has now been replaced with safety glass. She also agreed to ensure that a record is kept of each evacuation procedure practise. This is now in place. The childminder also agreed to ensure that the water butt is made safe. This is now secure and children cannot have access. Consequently the improvements have significantly enhanced the care for the children.

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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): • ensure children have access to individual hand towels • update knowledge and understanding of current child protection procedures.

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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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