Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY318513 Unique Reference Number 27 February 2008 Inspection date Ann Bamford 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2005. She offers care from her home in the Guide area of Blackburn. The home is close to shops parks, and other amenities. The childminder lives with her husband and two children. The family have two cats and a rabbit which are present during the time care is offered.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Children have use of the ground floor of the home with access to a first floor toilet. There is a small rear yard for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Care is available on each weekday from 09.00 until 17.00. Care outside these times may be negotiated on an individual basis. Annual holidays are also negotiated on an individual basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. She holds a nationally recognised childcare qualification as a nursery nurse.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. From discussion the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding on how to protect children from infection as she would follow good hygiene routines. In discussion the childminder demonstrates how she would help children to manage their own hygiene needs by encouraging them to wash their hands or clean their teeth. In addition, children would not attend when they are ill. Discussion with the childminder suggests that appropriate care would be offered to children if they have an accident. The childminder has a framework to seek consent for any necessary medical advice or treatment for children. Children would be able to benefit from a variety of ways of enjoying regular exercise as the childminder describes how she would take children to a local field to enjoy outdoor play.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder uses written information provided by parents to make sure that individual children's dietary needs are met. She demonstrates through discussion how she provides healthy snacks and meals for children. For example, fresh fruit for snacks and always having water readily available to drink.

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Helping children to be healthy

She describes how she meets children's individual needs for rest and sleep by asking parents about their child's routine. The childminder talks about how she ensures that children take part in regular outdoor activities, for example, playing in the garden, in the snow or playing football. The childminder also takes children on walks and outings in the local area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder creates a welcoming environment for children where they have space to move around. She demonstrates that she has taken action to minimise risks to children in areas of her home and discusses what steps would be in place when she is minding again, for example, the gate to the kitchen would be in place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through observation and discussion the childminder shows that children would have access to suitable safe equipment which is checked daily for safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates through discussion the steps she takes to keep children safe on outings through using age appropriate methods of walking using safety straps or reins. The childminder makes sure that places she visits with the children are safe.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of her role in protecting children and would implement appropriate procedures when necessary.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates that children take part in a wide range of activities. She talks about the daily routine which includes opportunities for children to paint and glue, which help children develop their creative skills. They are able to develop their imagination as they take part in role play with dressing up clothes or miniature kitchens. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates how children would be able to play games of pairs or

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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 dominoes to help them learn about taking turns. Children would join in with dancing as they watch some television programmes which helps them develop a sense of rhythm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has an awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework and the Foundation Stage curriculum; she demonstrates how she uses these to make observations on what children can already do and plan individual next steps for children. The childminder has frameworks for recording what children can do and through discussion describes how these are shared with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates how she works with parents to meet individual children's needs and ensure that they are fully included in the life of the setting. She has a gradual admission programme where she works closely with parents and finds out about their child. The childminder uses frameworks from the National Childminding Association for eliciting individual information about children and providing parents with a clear picture of how she offers care in written form.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Through discussion the childminder demonstrates her commitment to children having access to toys that help them value diversity. She can describe how she would adapt activities so that children with learning difficulties and disabilities can access them. Children would learn about their local community as they go on walks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of behaviour management, giving some good examples of how she would approach a variety of situations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Through discussion the childminder demonstrates how she keeps parents well informed about their child's day through talking to parents at the end of the day and providing written records. She shows, through written formats, how she seeks parental permission for aspects of care, such as outings and car travel.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has no knowledge of the changes in regulations relating to complaints procedures and has not developed a system to keep a record of all complaints and share information from that record with parents on request. She has, therefore, failed to meet the regulation.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a suitable adult. Through discussion and observation the childminder demonstrates that she provides children with sufficient clear floor space to enable them to play freely. The childminder is aware of the number of children that she can mind at any one time and works within the total numbers on her certificate.

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Organisation

The childminder uses her post as a part time nursery nurse and childcare magazines and information on the internet to keep up to date with current practice. She has sought information on frameworks, such as the 'Birth to three matters' framework in this manner. She has written policies, procedures and recording frameworks in place that would support the safe care of children.

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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 Overall, evidence suggests that the provision would meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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 to develop the complaints procedure to reflect how a record of any complaints made is kept and share information on complaints with parents on request.

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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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