Ashton, Philippa

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 308726 Inspection date 29 June 2005 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 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 1998. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 14 & 12 years. They live in a semi detached house in the village of Warton, near Carnforth. There are shops, schools and a park within walking distance of the house. Minded children have access to a playroom, and a dining room. Toilet and washing facilities are on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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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 There are two ferrets who are housed in the garden shed. There are 9 children on roll of who are minded on a part time basis. There were 3 children under the age of 5 years present at the time of the inspection. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of simple hygiene practices. This ensures children can play in a clean environment and prevents cross infection. The childminder ensures the nappy changing routine is effective, clean and pleasant for the baby by using anti-bacterial wipes for the changing mat, and talking to the child. Their wellbeing is maintained because the appropriate documentation i.e. medication and accident recording is kept and up to date. The children's dietary needs are met because the childminder has a good understanding of a balanced diet. For example the childminder encourages parents to provide fruit for snacks rather than biscuits and crisps. She ensures parent’s wishes are followed to meet children’s individual dietary needs. Children are provided with a healthy option for drinks to enable them to make good choices. Children's

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Helping children to be healthy

physical needs are met because the childminder follows the child's routines for sleep and feeding to ensuring consistency of care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The premises are very warm and welcoming. As a result, children are very 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. Children's safety is promoted because toys are well organised and available on low shelves and boxes, which children are able to access feely. The childminder helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe by simple explanations such as, not running between the rooms. She asks older children to be mindful when the baby is around, when playing with small play materials. The children’s risk of accidental injury is minimised by the childminder being conscious of hazards and by placing safety features in place. However, the childminder has not identified potential risks in the garden for example there are poisonous plants, which compromises young children’s safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures to follow if she is concerned for the wellbeing of children in her care. 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 an extremely 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. Play plans are well developed and stimulating for children and include a range of activities for example craft activity, where children picked grass and than make detailed pictures of what they had seen. As a result, they become confident to extend their knowledge in an innovative and meaningful way. The childminder provides opportunities for children to recreate and act out real life experiences, in role-play. The children enjoyed making tea in the home corner for the inspector and the childminder. This promotes their imaginative development and enjoyment. Indoor space, the garden, visits to community groups, and trips to places of interest all allow

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children to discover new environments providing highly stimulating experiences. This provides them with inspiring and challenging opportunities to develop social and intellectual skills. Young children and infants are stimulated through an extensive range of activities, including everyday utensils for example a tin and a spatula. This promotes imaginative opportunity for infants to explore sound, movements and touch senses. The infants form strong bonds, which promotes their emotional well being contributing to their sense of belonging and happiness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Television programmes and discussion extend the children’s awareness of other people’s similarities and differences. There are limited resources to reflect diversity available to extend children’s understanding of the wider world. The childminder makes effective use of praise and encouragement as she acts as a good role model to assist the children's developing independence and management of behaviour. The children behave well; they are interested in activities provided and the childminder takes time to explain why some behaviour is not acceptable. For example, jumping on the settee. The childminder praises children, which helps them behave appropriately. The childminder ensures documentation and information is obtained from parents, prior to the child attending. This enables the childminder to follow the child's home routine ensuring consistency of care. 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 using development folders to foster good relationships. This contributes to the children’s overall development and well-being.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children’s care is enhanced by efficient and effective organisation. The childminder has all regulatory documentation in place, which is very well maintained and up to date. The children’s individual needs are promoted at all times aided by the clearly written policies and procedures. These are shared with parents to enhance the quality of care each child receives. The organisation of the setting is effective with room for children to move freely and self select resources. 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 is pro-active in improving her service by attending childcare courses and working towards the ‘quality assurance scheme’ to meet further, the needs of all children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there were some recommendation which needed to be addressed and these were to: ensure the first aid box was complete; to provide resources to reflect diversity however, these are limited and a recommendation is made in this inspection; to organise the resources for easy access and to obtain written consent for transporting children in a vehicle. The childminder has addressed the above issues; there is a first aid box which is complete; there are some resources to reflect diversity; the play material and resources are now organised to allow children easy access and written consent have been obtained for transporting children in a vehicle The children’s safety and overall well being has been improved.

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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 MUST BE DONE TO SECURE FUTURE IMPROVEMENT?

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 that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice • make poisonous plants inaccessible to children to ensure 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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