Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 308952 Inspection date 28 November 2005 Inspector Janet, Elizabeth Singleton

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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 was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband, who is also registered, and two children aged 7 and 9 years. She lives in Ribbleton, Preston. The children have access to most of the home with the kitchen and master bedroom not being used for childminding. There is an outside area to the front and side of the house offering both hard and soft surfaces for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding six children who attend for a variety of sessions during the week. The childminder takes children out regularly for outings and trips to places of

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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 interest. The family have a dog, pet rabbit and guinea pig. Minded children do not have access to the dog. The childminder has attended training in early years and is qualified to NVQ Level 3 in Childcare and Education. She has links with the local amenities include a toddler group, library and park and also has links with other childminders in the area.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follow very good hygiene practices which limit the spread of infection, including using anti-bacterial sprays, paper towels and children having individual face cloths. She ensures children wash their hands before and after meals to reduce the risk of cross contamination and talks to the children about being clean. Younger children benefit from a hygienic nappy changing routine which ensure individual routines are followed and they are protected from the spread of germs. The childminder has attended training in basic food hygiene to further prevent cross contamination. Children's health needs are protected as the childminder has most medical details and information fully recorded and readily available, however, written consent for applying the nappy cream was not in place and therefore, parents may not be fully informed. Children are well nourished because the childminder has a very good understanding

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Helping children to be healthy

of a healthy diet. The childminder ensures children are provided with healthy options including fresh and dried fruit such as, raisins and apricots. Children enjoy the soft fruit of the apricot and discuss how good it tastes. They access their drinks of low sugar juice and water at all times, so that they can monitor their own needs for drink.

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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 home which is very clean and very welcoming, having room to move freely and to choose toys and equipment. They have a lovely sense of belonging as they see their pictures displayed on the walls and they delight in making choices from safe and suitable toys and equipment. The childminder encourages children to make decisions about their play and remain occupied and interested as they choose from the train track, dolls and books, which are stored safely and at child height. Children are developing a good understanding of safety as they learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder talks about danger to them and has all required safety features in place. She uses gentle prompts to remind children not to run, to share and to be careful. The childminder maintains a high level of supervision at all times to ensure younger children's safety is monitored. Al the required

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 documentation, for example, consent for outings, is in place and further safeguards the welfare of the children. Children's welfare is protected because the childminder understands her role in child protection. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is confident of the action to take should any issues arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy and achieve because the childminder provides a variety of play activities that cover all areas of development. She has an informal planning system and a daily routine to ensure children take part in activities both inside and out of the home. The children enjoy and delight in building the train track, they discuss the colours and decide how to make the track to push their trains along. They are thrilled when acting out the story of goldilocks and the three bears, the children have bowls, teddies and chairs and take the teddies into the forest, they return, with goldilocks to eat the porridge and sleep on the bed. They are enthralled as they walk around the room, leaving the bears in the forest, and engross themselves in the story. The childminder has a programme of topics to provide a structure for the children including colours, shapes, homes and the people of the rainforest. Children enjoy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

visiting the library and develop their physical skills they are taken for walks and use the very good outdoor equipment. The children are able to socialise outside the home as they enjoy being taken to library and mix with other childminders and their minded children. The children's self esteem and confidence is developed as the childminder talks to the children, praises them and involves herself in their play. She sits with and supports the children as they play, as she talks to them, laughs with them and introduces numbers and colours as she asks if, why and what questions. Children are confident when moving through the home and as result they become confident learners.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. All children are warmly welcomed into the setting being valued and respected. She has a good understanding of equality of opportunity and children who have special needs. The children learn about diversity because there are toys and posters which promotes their understanding. The childminder ensure all children can join in the activities and positively encourages them to do so, as she asks them if they want to play. Children are beginning to manage their own behaviour as they are gently reminded by the childminder asking them to be careful, to share and play nicely. They are taking some responsibility for their own behaviour because the childminder gives

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 explanations and sets clear boundaries for example, do not climb on the chair and to help tidy up. The childminder fosters good relationships with parents by sharing information which contributes to the child's well being. She has a notice board for parents and provides parents with her topic areas to continue the work at home. She discusses issues with parents at the end of the day to ensure they are fully aware of their child's day and the childcare practice which contributes significantly to the children's well being.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children benefit from an environment which is very well organised to enable them to make choices from the good quality resources. The children have a developing sense of belonging as they play in a very child centred playroom which has posters displayed and resources in easy reach to enable them to make some decisions. The childminder has a plan of activities which is based on children's developing needs therefore, enabling them to gain maximum enjoyment from the activities provided. Children's needs are met because the childminder has all regulatory documentation in place, this being effectively organised and up to date. Children's detail are fully recorded therefore ensuring parents can be contacted should the need arise. Overall, the setting meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has recorded the practising of the evacuation procedure and obtained written consent for administering medication. Therefore children develop an awareness of the procedure to follow should the need to evacuate the home arise and parents are made fully aware of the need to ensure written consent is given to the childminder when requesting medication to be given.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been 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

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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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 written consent is obtained for applying any medical cream including nappy cream.

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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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