Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 308350 Inspection date 05 May 2005 Inspector Joan, Patricia Flowers

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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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and two children, one who is 14 and one a young adult. They live in a quasi-semi detached house in an established residential area of Ribbleton, a suburb of Preston in Lancashire. The home is situated close to local amenities such as schools, a park and shops. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with access to one bedroom and the bathroom upstairs. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for children to play in. The family have 2 cats. There are two children on roll both of whom are aged two years. The childminder is

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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 active in attending a Sure Start drop in group and she takes children to local parent and toddler sessions.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a very clean and well maintained home. They are encouraged to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care such as hand washing after playing outdoors and before eating. They benefit from having their own towels and cups so that prevention of cross infection is minimised. Children's medical needs are met as the childminder follows clear procedures thus reassuring parents and ensuring children's health is maintained. Children enjoy a variety of play opportunities. They run and play football on the park, enjoy using the slide at the toddler group and one to one swimming sessions with the childminder. In so doing their physical health and development is promoted very well. Young children share warm relationships with the childminder. She ensures their own home routines are followed and their changing needs are met so that they feel safe and secure. Children make choices as they become increasingly independent thus

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Helping children to be healthy

allowing them to become confident and skilful. Children begin to understand the benefit of a healthy diet. They choose from a variety of healthy snacks and drinks offered to them. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parent's and the children’s likes and dislikes when planning a wide range of nutritious snacks that appeal to the children and meet their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe and secure within their environment and on outings because the childminder adopts a sound approach to their well being. She pays attention when children play indoors and outside by observing good practise such as keeping the front door locked at all times and maintaining supervision to maintain children's safety. The home is made warm and welcoming for children aided by displays of children’s artwork on the wall which provides them with a sense of belonging. The freedom for children to move between the lounge and dining area allows them unrestricted independence to make choices in their play activities. The ease in which they can select play items from accessible storage promotes their confidence in this way. Children begin to understand how to keep themselves safe when out in public places through regular discussion with the childminder. They learn about road safety for

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

example and how to keep the home environment safe as they tidy the toys up. Children as a result begin to develop their understanding about their own personal safety and that of others.

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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. Children are interested, explore and play purposefully with activities, sometimes for extended periods of time which helps with increasing their powers of concentration. They are encouraged to choose activities for themselves from a prepared selection and are equally supported in their choices, receiving recognition for their achievements. Children presently do not have ready access to the full selection of toys available. Their potential for enjoyment and learning as a result is restricted. Good links are made during play between home and the setting as children talk about familiar things thereby contributing to a sense of belonging as well as developing self esteem. Children are given opportunities to learn about animals when the childminder takes them to see her horse. This furthers their experiences as they learn about and care for living things. They are confident and relate well with the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder and warmly snuggle up to her as they become ready for a sleep demonstrating their feelings of security. Children experience and enjoy play and learning which contributes to their all round development. They engage in one to one interaction with her whilst for example playing with the train set on the carpet. This keeps children's interest alive and her strategic withdrawal allows them to investigate for themselves thereby promoting their development and ability to persevere. Children socialise in group activities when they attend toddler groups with children of similar ages. This provides opportunities for them to develop social skills with children of similar ages as they learn to play and take turns.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are encouraged to learn right from wrong as the childminder gives lots of praise and encouragement for good behaviour. Because she explains reasons why behaviour is not acceptable, children start to grasp how their behaviour affects others as they learn to share and be kind. Consequently their understanding of other people’s feelings and needs are developed and strengthened. Children make themselves at home and are confident to ask for what they would like as they start to recognise their own needs. Children are regularly taken to the local library and toddler groups where they become aware of and enjoy interacting with others in group settings. They learn to recognise familiar places and make connections to their own home experiences such as going to the shops and library. Children help to tidy away their play things willingly as they enjoy and learn to be responsible.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder provides a range of opportunities through books and craft activities for children to develop their awareness of other people’s similarities and differences. Children feel they belong. At tidy up time they willingly contribute and help as they learn about helping in a shared task. This fosters their feelings of self worth.

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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. Children feel at ease with the childminder as they enter the familiar and well organised home environment. As a result they are confident about making decisions as they move around in the unrestricted homely environment. The clearly written policies and procedures which are shared with parents ensure that children's individual needs are promoted at all times. Because of the informal daily discussion with parents which are backed up by written records, children's needs are always paramount. Continuity of children’s care is assured by the very effective sharing of information with parents so that children’s changing needs are always taken into account. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to keep a record of any risk assessments carried out on the premises. This has since been formalised and is recorded on a monthly basis. As a result, the childminder is better able to monitor overall safety in the home for everyone's benefit.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since 1 April 2004.

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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): • provide children with easier access to the available play materials and toys

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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 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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