Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY360111 Unique Reference Number 22 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 satisfactory. 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 2007. She lives her husband and their two children aged five and seven years in Lytham St. Annes, Lancashire. The first floor and ground floor of the house is available for childminding apart from the ground floor bedroom. There is a garden to the rear of the house. The family has tropical fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years and she is currently minding seven children under the age of eight who attend on a full and part time basis. The childminder has completed a child care qualification. She attends the local parent and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are reasonably well nourished with the inclusion of a varied selection of fruit and vegetables in their meals and snacks. Drinks are available at all times for the children and include

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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 the option of water. Children's dietary needs are discussed with parents and there are systems in place to record these to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has suitable documentation to manage children's accidents and the administration of medication which she shares appropriately with parents. The care of sick children is supported by a written procedure. The childminder describes how children learn about personal hygiene as she encourages them to wash their hands after going to the toilet and before snack. The children have their own individual hand towels and learn about personal hygiene through their daily routine. However, the childminder did not disinfect the changing mat in between changing the nappies of different children, therefore risking the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to enjoy physical activity as they visit the local park or play in the back garden. There is a suitable range of resources to help children acquire physical skills, which includes a climbing frame, swing, wheeled toys, prams and balls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where risks have been identified and minimised. Children are learning about keeping safe as the childminder implements the green cross code and talks to the children when walking to the park. The children are reminded not to stand on furniture as they may fall and hurt themselves. She is aware of the need to monitor the safety of equipment and immediately removed a piece of a toy that could be hazardous to the children, therefore maintaining their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is providing a warm environment for the children in her care with resources stored to enable children to make independent choices. Children can access a good range of resources that is appropriate for the ages of children being cared for and that actively supports their play and learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of potential signs of abuse and neglect. She has some understanding of the child protection procedures and how to respond if she were concerned about a child's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy themselves and achieve well in what they do because they are settled and happy with the childminder. They enjoy sound relationships with the childminder, which increases their sense of trust. Children develop confidence and self-esteem because the childminder regularly praises them for their achievements and good behaviour. Children enjoy playing with the variety of toys available. They begin to develop their understanding of numbers as the childminder encourages them to count out loud with her whilst building a tower of bricks. Children develop their creative skills as they enjoy making marks with crayons and paper. Children also develop skills in socialising with other children when they visit the local toddler group, library and park. The children are developing their language skills and participate in singing songs and listening to the story of the 'hungry caterpillar'.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children begin to distinguish between right and wrong because the childminder teaches them simple rules such as not climbing on furniture and encourages them to share the toys. 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 children are beginning to learn good manners and respect for others because the childminder acts as a positive role model.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder shares information with parents about their children. She is beginning to develop diaries for each of the children, however, they do not demonstrate how the children's developmental needs are met, or how they link with the 'Birth to three matters' framework to effectively show children's progress.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the setting; they are valued as individuals and their families are respected. The childminder has some awareness of equality of opportunity for all children. They are able to take part in all activities and have access to a few resources, for example, books and dolls. However, further development of activities and resources will enable children to extend their knowledge and understanding of diversity, and learn to respect people’s differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children generally behave well due to sensitive and consistent responses from the childminder. She skilfully distracts children and maintains their interest in play by introducing new activities. She actively encourages children to share resources during play and children are developing self-assurance from exploration within close relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A detailed file ensures parents receive effective information about the care the childminder provides. This helps to make sure that parents are kept well informed about all the relevant policies and procedures. The ongoing needs of the children are met by sharing information on the children's day verbally, at the end of the day. 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 previously attended training workshops on a variety of subjects to increase her knowledge and this includes first aid training and sign language. The regulatory documentation is in place, however, the documentation in relation to maintaining daily arrival and departure times and the emergency escape procedures requires updating. 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

Not applicable, as this is the childminder's first inspection.

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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 satisfactory. 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 hygiene practices during nappy changing in order to prevent the spread of infection • develop systems for supporting children's learning and progress in line with 'Birth to three matters' framework • provide a suitable range of resources and activities to extend the children's learning of diversity • improve knowledge and further develop systems for recording complaints in line with regulations • improve and update documentation in relation to maintaining arrival and departure times daily and emergency escape 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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