Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY309217 Inspection date 16 January 2006 Inspector Janet, Elizabeth Singleton

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with the bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is no outdoor area provided. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local Sure Start support group and is a member of the National Childminding Association. She also receives support form the Children First Partnership.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder has appropriate hygiene practices. The children have their hands and faces cleaned using individual wipes, preventing cross contamination and minimising risk of infection. The children learn about healthy living as the childminder has suitable hand washing practices. For example, she ensures her hands are washed before preparing snacks and after changing children, therefore younger children are observing good practice. Most documentation required to meet children's medical needs is in place, however, written consent has not been sought to apply nappy cream and therefore children's health may be compromised. The children's dietary needs are well met because the childminder understands the requirements of a balanced diet. She is fully aware of the need to provide fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis. She is working on ensuring children limit their sugar

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

intake, as she dilutes juice with water and prepares fresh food and home made meals. The childminder keeps a record of children's dietary intake to ensure parents are fully informed of the meals provided for their child. The childminder has an appropriate nappy changing routine which ensures children are changed according to need. The young child's needs are met as the childminder follows the feeding and sleep routine from home. Therefore the young child is provided with a consistent care routine.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The children are cared for in a home that is clean and very welcoming having room to move freely and to choose toys and equipment. The children enjoy making choices from the wide selection of toys available to them including Lego, crayons, musical instruments and dolls. They delight in choosing the pens and crayoning books and changing the activities from the good selection provided to them. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder demonstrates effective safety procedures and practices, for example, daily visual check of the play area to ensure no small parts are available to younger children. Their safety is further enhanced because the childminder has most required safety features in place including a fire blanket, smoke detectors, safety barriers and fire procedures. The children's safety is compromised when playing in the quiet room as a socket cover was missing.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a very good understanding of her role in child protection in line with the Area Child Protection Procedures. She is very confident of the need to take action should she be concerned about a child's welfare.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy and achieve because the childminder provides a good variety of play opportunities that cover all areas of development including colouring, building with Lego and story time. The child delighted in playing with the musical instrument box, putting toys in, taking them out, putting the lid on the box and looking for other resources to put in the box. The childminder understands the Birth to three childcare programme and leaves the toys where the child has left them, to enable the child to revisit to support and consolidate learning. The children are able to socialise outside of the home as they enjoy being taken to the local Sure Start, story time group, to allow them to experience new environments. They benefit from a positive relationship because the childminder listens and responds to the child's gurgles talking and encouraging the child in a lovely soft, soothing voice, as she demonstrates how to build a tower of bricks and allowing the

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

child to experiment and make his own decisions about his play. The childminder makes good eye contact that is very effective and very soothing for the child and as a result, the child is secure and content as he watches the childminder at all times during his play.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for in an environment where parents are fully included to ensure individual needs are met. The children can take part in all activities being fully included and involved. They have daily access to resources which reflect diversity and therefore their knowledge and understanding is fully promoted as they choose dolls and look at children's dual text books for example, Urdu and English. The children are beginning to take responsibility for their behaviour because the childminder encourages positive behaviour by ignoring the negative, encouraging and distracting children onto new activities. The children's self-esteem is promoted as she uses praise effectively for example, 'good boy', 'well done', 'wow, that’s lovely'. Children learn to manage their behaviour as she sets boundaries and guidelines which are realistic and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are fully included with the childminder sharing information with them to ensure good relationships are fostered. Daily diaries are shared with parents to ensure they are fully aware of the care and activities provided for their child. The childminder works with parents on improving care practices to promote the welfare and care of the child.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is good. Children can play and learn in an environment that is effectively organised to meet

p.4

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 the children's needs by ensuring they can move freely and access good quality toys and equipment. They enjoy a well organised daily programme in which their own routine is taken account. The childminder has links with other childminders and is involved with the local Sure Start programme. Children's welfare is protected as all regulatory documentation is available, very well maintained and up to date including all children's details. A positive relationship is fostered with parents because the childminder provides information regarding her care practice and has individual communication books detailing the child's time with her. The childminder evaluates her practice in order to improve and further meet the needs of the children. Overall, the setting meets the needs of the children who attend.

p.4

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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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 permission is sought for applying nappy cream • ensure all necessary safety features are in place in regard to the missing socket cover.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and

p.5

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 concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.5

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

p.6