Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 308452 Inspection date 09 February 2006 Inspector Ferroza Saiyed

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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 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 has been a registered childminder since 1993. She lives with her partner and their three children aged 14, 12 and 6 years. They live in her terraced home in an established residential area of Great Harwood, in Lancashire. The home is within walking distance of schools, a park, and the town centre. The living room and dining room are used for childminding purposes. In addition, children have access to suitable toilet and hand washing facilities on the first floor. There are seven children on roll and they are minded on a part time basis. There were two children present at the time of the inspection.

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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 Child Minding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children's health is promoted because the childminder has an understanding of simple hygiene practices. This ensures children can play in a clean environment and prevents cross infection. They learn the importance of personal hygiene through daily routine, such as washing their hands after using the toilet. The childminder ensures the nappy changing routine is effective, clean, and pleasant for the baby by using anti-bacterial wipes for the changing mat. Their well-being is maintained because the appropriate documentation, for example medication and accident recording, is kept and up to date. The children have regular opportunities to exercise their growing bodies; outdoor play and frequent outings to the parks, the zoo, the farm, and shops promote their physical development. The childminder has an understanding of a balanced diet. For example, the childminder introduces new food to develop children's taste for healthy

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Helping children to be healthy

options. However, the childminder does not keep records of children's dietary needs and this suggests that children's individual needs are not met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are warm and welcoming. As a result, children are happy, secure and have a sense of belonging. The children can access a selection of age appropriate toys and activities in a safe home environment. The children's safety is promoted because toys are well organised and available on low shelves and in boxes, which children are able to access freely. The children’s risk of accidental injury is minimised by the childminder being conscious of hazards and by having appropriate safety features in place. However, the glass door to the dining room is not safety glass and toiletries in the bathroom are not kept out of children's reach; therefore, this compromises children's safety. The childminder helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe by simple explanations such as, the need to hold on to the pram when outdoors and not to run in the house. Fire drills are conducted regularly to teach children about keeping safe,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and consequently children are beginning to have an understanding for their own safety. The childminder has a working knowledge of child protection, for example signs and symptoms of abuse. And she understands how to report a concern using the local Area Child Protection Committee procedures. Therefore children’s welfare is safeguarded.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have a positive relationship with the childminder. The children benefit from a very close and caring relationship, which develops their self-esteem and gives them a sense of belonging. They are provided with resources from which they can self select and make decisions about their play. Children's enjoyment of play and learning contributes to their all-round development. They socialise in group activities, for example, visits to community groups, the farm, and the zoo. This provides children with different play environments and opportunities to develop their social skills. As a result, children interact appropriately with each other and with the childminder. This provides them with inspiring and challenging opportunities to develop social and intellectual skills. Young children and infants are stimulated through a range of activities, including musical and interactive toys as well as a treasure basket for them to explore. This

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

promotes imaginative opportunities for infants to explore sound, movements and their sense of touch, for example textures. The infants form strong bonds, which promotes their emotional well-being and contributes to their sense of belonging and happiness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about diversity from the resources provided. They are beginning to understand the similarities and differences in the wider community. They learn to play socially with others by attending other social groups. Children effectively learn about good behaviour through positive reinforcement and good role modelling by the childminder who is calm and caring. The childminder makes use of praise and encouragement to assist the children's developing behaviour. She promotes good manners at all times. For example, children say 'please' and 'thank you' when given drinks. The children's behaviour is also managed by providing them with lots of praise for their achievements, which promotes their self-esteem. The childminder ensures documentation and information is obtained from parents, prior to the child attending. She makes parents feel welcome within the setting and spends time discussing their child with them. The childminder encourages parents to

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Helping children make a positive contribution

contribute to their child’s development and well-being, by informal discussions, and this fosters positive relationships.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder has all regulatory documentation in place, which is well maintained and up to date. The children’s individual needs are promoted, aided by the clearly

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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 written policies and procedures. These are shared with parents to enhance the quality of care each child receives. The care of the children is satisfactorily supported by the childminder's organisation of her childminding practice. The childminder has an informal routine in place, which is based on the children's needs thus enabling them to gain maximum enjoyment from activities provided. The childminder has links with other childminders, which promotes children's social needs. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there were two recommendations that were made. To ensure that parents have access to a complaints procedure which includes the address and telephone number of Ofsted, and to ensure that signed parental consent to transport minded children in a vehicle and to seek emergency medical treatment is obtained. The childminder has addressed the above issues. There is a complaint procedure which parents can access and she has obtained written consent for emergency medical treatment and transporting children in a vehicle. The children’s safety and overall well-being has been improved.

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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 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): • keep records of children's diet so their individual needs can be met • make toiletries in the bathroom inaccessible to children to safeguard them

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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 • make safe the glass door in the dining room, to ensure children's safety.

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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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