Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 309074 Inspection date 03 November 2005 Inspector Rod Green

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 September 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 6 and 8 years in a large detached house in an area of Chorley. The local shops and parks are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and three bedrooms on the first floor, used for sleeping purposes only, are areas used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden area available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and currently minds three children under 2. The family have no pets.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are made aware of good hygiene practices because the childminder talks about them with the children. She explains that it is important to wash or wipe hands before meals and after using the toilet to avoid germs that "could make you ill". The childminder has a Basic Food Hygiene certificate. Children have their individual dietary needs met well because the childminder works closely with parents. Parents supply the meals but the childminder supplies healthy snacks and drinks which are varied and nutritious and which the children obviously enjoy. Children have their individual needs met because the childminder caters for their individual sleep patterns. Children are encouraged well in their physical development because the childminder takes them out to the park and encourages boisterous play on the premises when outings are not possible.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are well maintained and well set out to enable children to have access to a good variety of activities to help stimulate development. Children are able to play safely because the childminder has set out good quality age appropriate toys at their height, which meet safety standards. Children are kept safe because the childminder carries out daily risk assessments on the premises and toys before children arrive. Children learn to take responsibility for their own safety because the childminder actively educates the children about boundaries and safe limits as they play and access various different parts of the premises. For example, the childminder teaches the children how to cross the road safely so that they stop, look and listen before crossing. Children are kept safe because the childminder has ensured her knowledge of child protection procedures is up-to-date.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's house. They are confident and make themselves at home. Children are happy and well stimulated because 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 childminder interacts well with them, talking, listening and reading stories as requested. Children enjoy a range of activities, which contribute to their development and their creativity, such as Play-Doh, playing with the various toys and equipment available, and visiting the park. The childminder is constantly with the children encouraging, congratulating and giving advice. The childminder ensures her knowledge of childcare is up-to-date and the children are stimulated in areas of development because she sometimes incorporates structured activities into the day. Children learn and develop because the childminder encourages them to say words, for instance when saying the last line of a song, explains and names things for the children to copy, and gives praise for good efforts.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and happy because the childminder provides support and praise. Children have trusting relationships and are happy to interact with each other and other people present.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children learn something about wider society because the childminder has some resources which reflect diversity, however, she doesn't at present incorporate activities into her practice that would increase children's awareness of wider society. Children behave well as the childminder has consistent ground rules to enable children to learn right from wrong. Good behaviour is rewarded with praise. Distraction or reason is used to manage unwanted behaviour. Children show care and concern for each other and play well together. Children are cared for in accordance with parents' wishes because the childminder ensures that information is passed between her and parents daily. Children follow their normal daily routine as discussed with their parents. Written agreements between the childminder and parents are kept up-to-date to ensure the childminder has the latest information on each child to ensure their individual needs are best met.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are protected because all adults on the premises have been police checked. They are relaxed and confident in the environment which has been well organised by the childminder to provide access to a range of resources. Children's safety is promoted because the childminder has maintained required qualifications. Children's needs are known and well documented in the regularly updated contracts between childminder and parents to ensure children's individual requirements are well met. The childminder has very good written policies and procedures in place.

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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 the provision meets the needs of the children who attend

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the provider agreed to ensure parental agreements for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and for taking children in a vehicle were put in place; to ensure that any hazards in the garden were removed; and to put an emergency evacuation procedure in place. All parental permissions are now in place, all hazards have been removed in the garden and an emergency evacuation procedure is in place and practised on a regular basis. These actions have helped to improve the care offered to children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 are able to experience positive images of diversity in society

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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