Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY349165 Unique Reference Number 16 April 2008 Inspection date Anna Barnes 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 2007. She lives with her partner and their two children aged 12 months and four years. They live in a three bedroom house in a residential area of Blackpool, close to local shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. This includes the through lounge, dining room and kitchen. The bathroom facilities are on the first floor. There is a rear garden available for children to play in. The family has a pet hamster, which may come into contact with children. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years and six children under eight years when working with an assistant.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a clean, warm and homely environment where the childminder promotes the health and welfare of the children. They are helped to develop an understanding of hygiene and personal care as they are encouraged to wash their hands and, with appropriate permission, use the hand wash gel to clean their hands. Good procedures are in place to meet the 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 needs of children by the use of medication and accident records. The childminder has a first aid kit and has undertaken a first aid course. There are good procedures in place that minimise the risk to children of cross-infection, such as a sick child policy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to enjoy physical activity through the use of the garden and trips to the park to use the large apparatus. Regular visits to the local childminding group also ensure children have access to additional large equipment to promote their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are very well nourished with the inclusion of a variety of fruit, breadsticks, raisins, chicken casseroles and other healthy options into their diet. Drinks are available at all times for the children and include the option of water. Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents and there are systems in place to record these and ensure their individual needs are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder is safety conscious and is committed to keeping children safe whilst in her care. She provides constant supervision and always keeps the premises secure when children are present. She involves the children in learning about their own safety. For example, children are learning awareness of road safety when crossing the road. Children are kept safe as the childminder has a good understanding of fire safety procedures and has the appropriate fire safety equipment. The fire blanket is easily accessible in the kitchen and emergency evacuation practises are undertaken with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a good range of safe play equipment, which is age-appropriate for all children attending. Children are protected from harm as the childminder checks the equipment regularly and ensures that it is maintained in good order and kept clean. Children are safeguarded because the childminder is clear about her responsibilities to protect children in her care. She has undertaken training and has a written safeguarding children policy that is shared with parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder uses her growing knowledge of the children's abilities, likes and dislikes to plan and provide a range of interesting and stimulating activities that meets children's needs and provides an appropriate level of challenge. Consequently, children make good progress in all areas of their development. Children confidently help themselves to a good range of easily accessible equipment from storage trays and boxes. They take part in many creative activities such as painting, play dough, sand and water. They enjoy role play activities such as dressing-up, caring for dolls and playing with other role play props.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thrive and enjoy their time with the childminder as she provides a good range of developmentally appropriate and interesting play activities. This includes bright, fun and challenging toys and experiences, such as regular walks to the park to use the apparatus and visits to the local childminding groups to interact with other adults and children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have their individual needs very well met because the childminder communicates with parents, actively seeking their views about their child's needs and using this information to work in partnership with parents. The childminder provides a daily diary of what the 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 do and a record of achievement that includes photographs of the children participating in a range of stimulating activities that links with the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well behaved in response to the calm and consistent approach from the childminder. Children are learning to share resources whilst playing and are encouraged to take turns when using the slide in the outdoor area. Younger children are developing self-assurance from positive relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are valued and respected as individuals. They receive lots of praise and encouragement, which actively promotes their self-esteem and confidence. Through clear explanations, children are learning to understand right from wrong. Children have access to a range of resources that includes books, jigsaws, dolls and activities that reflect other cultures and positive images, which promote their awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder fosters good relationships with parents as she shares information pertaining to her childcare practice. She makes time to discuss the children's experiences with parents to enable them to be informed of the activities provided for their children in the daily diary and record of achievement. The childminder has provided a range of policies that is available for the parents in order to keep them informed about the service she provides. However, the childminder is not totally aware of the complaints policy and therefore parents may not be fully informed of this procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children can play and learn in an environment that is organised to meet their needs with room for them to move freely and choose a range of toys and equipment. The childminder makes effective use of time, space and resources and encourages children to make choices from the equipment provided.

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Organisation

The childminder has completed a childcare qualification and attended training workshops on a variety of subjects to increase her knowledge, and this includes first aid training and safeguarding children. The regulatory documentation is in place, however, the childminder does not have written permission for each child being transported in a vehicle and times of arrival and departure are not always consistently maintained. There are procedures in place to promote the welfare, care and learning of the children.

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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

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 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): • improve knowledge and further develop systems for recording complaints in line with regulations • make sure that written permission is available for every child being transported in a vehicle and that times of arrival and departure are consistently maintained.

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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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