Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY101100 Inspection date 07 February 2006 Inspector Debra, Elizabeth Mitcheson

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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 registered since 2002. She is registered to care for five children under eight of whom, no more than two shall be under five years and only one under twelve months. There are currently seven children on roll, all on a part-time basis. The childminder lives with her husband and two children in a property in Oswaldtwistle, near Accrington. Children have access to the lounge, dining / playroom and kitchen. Toileting facilities are available in the first floor bathroom and outdoor play is accessible in the rear yard.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder models acceptable health and hygiene practices. These include a daily cleaning regime, encouraging hand washing and appropriate hygienic practices when nappy changing. This ensures that children stay healthy. They begin to show awareness in preventing the spread of infection as they wipe their mouths after snack time. Procedures in providing appropriate care, if children are sick, have an accident or require medication, are followed in line with relevant policies. However, the sick child policy does not include notifying Ofsted of any food poisoning affecting two or more minded children and the outbreak of any notifiable disease. The childminder demonstrates that she is in the process of updating her policies to include this information. Children recognise that they require a drink to satisfy their thirst. They reach for a drink as they wake from their sleep. Healthy snacks are provided in adequate

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Helping children to be healthy

quantities to ensure that children are suitably nourished. However, children's participation in developing their knowledge of healthy living and choices, in relation to meals, is limited as all parents provide their own children's meals. Mealtimes take place at the dining table, which is a pleasant social occasion and enables children to develop social and independence skills. This means that children converse readily with each other and the childminder and practise good manners. Access to daily indoor and outdoor activities provides sufficient challenges to encourage children's physical development. Photographic evidence captures the children walking in the community, feeding the ducks and accessing large apparatus at local parks and playgroups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children's safety and welfare is satisfactorily promoted at this setting. This is because the childminder provides an environment that is welcoming, secure and generally safe both indoors and outdoors. Risk assessments have been carried out on most areas of the setting. These include devising and practising a fire evacuation procedure and fitting appropriate safety features around the home; for example, fire blanket and smoke detectors. However, a risk assessment has not been carried out to assess the risks to children in relation to the rear yard which is used for outdoor play. The childminder gently reminds children not to touch the fire guard to raise their own personal awareness in relation to safety. Children respond, "Don’t touch, burn". Suitable precautions have been taken to enable children to independently select activities from an appropriate range of toys and equipment that are suitable for their

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

age, stage of development and conform to safety standards. These include jigsaws, arts and crafts, books, small world toys, dressing up and child-size furnishings. Access to suitable equipment gives young children the opportunity to enjoy a sleep in

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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 their pram, in a separate quiet area of the house, where safety features are in place. The safety and welfare of children is generally promoted as the childminder demonstrates an acceptable understanding of the requirements for reporting child protection concerns. However, there are no procedures to follow in the event of an allegation of abuse which is alleged to have taken place while the child is in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. This enthusiastic, caring childminder helps children feel good about themselves through constant reassurance and praise. Children are very confident and demonstrate good self-esteem. They have a very good rapport with their peers, childminder and other adults. Children demonstrate that they are forming positive relationships as they greet each other with a cuddle as they wake from their sleep and embrace the childminder as they kiss her goodbye when they are collected. Children show great interest and enthusiasm in what they do. For example, they choose "the monkey story" and lying on their tummies, giggle and listen, wide mouthed as the childminder skilfully unfolds the tale of the character. They respond well to the challenge of reading the story themselves with the help of the monkey puppet. They also delight in the praise they receive from the childminder as they independently count to five and recognise the colours red, green and yellow. Children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

show initiative, recognising that the light needs to be switched on as the room is dark. The childminder clearly knows her children well and is very knowledgeable on child development. She draws upon her experience as a mother and childminder .This assists her in planning and providing purposeful play opportunities that are fun and develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities. For example: reading stories, early maths, writing, counting everyday items, access to craft materials, small world, music and movement and socialising with other peers and adults at local childminder groups and playgroups. Children inform the inspector that they go to playgroup and sing; they then burst into song, " Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star".

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for by a childminder who works in partnership with parents to meet the individual needs of all children, including those with special needs. The childminder ensures that information regarding each child is shared with parents and recorded. The majority of policies and procedures informs them of her practice and keeps them up-to-date with requirements that must be met and records are signed appropriately. Parents are relaxed and sit and chat to the childminder about their child's day. They inform the inspector how they are more than happy with the service this childminder provides and how the children cannot wait to get to her house every day.

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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 Positive reassurance and sound role modelling of this childminder enables children to learn about acceptable behaviour. She takes time to explain and uses appropriate methods that have been agreed with parents. These include time out, distraction, ignoring and praise. Children, therefore, show care and concern for others in playing together harmoniously for the majority of the time. Children cuddle each other without prompting after squabbling over a toy. Children are valued as individuals which help to give them a sense of belonging. The childminder and the children engage in a conversation about what they would like to do after story time and follows their suggestions in subsequent activities. Children have access to satisfactory resources and activities that raise children's awareness

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Helping children make a positive contribution

of diversity. Photographic evidence of children taking part in the celebration of festivals supports this area of learning. Visits to the local playgroup have given children the opportunity to be introduced to other members of their local community.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment where they feel relaxed and at home. The childminder's sound knowledge of child development and positive relationships with parents adequately promotes positive outcomes of learning for all children in her care, through planned and purposeful activities. Adult-to-child ratios positively support children's care, learning and play. The hours the children attend allows for children to enjoy a one-to-one relationship with the childminder. This also includes school age children. This contributes to the children's health, safety, enjoyment and ability to take an active role in the setting. Children in attendance are observed to positively interact with the childminder and their peers. Most children participate with ease in conversation with other children, the childminder and parents. Children with a quieter disposition use puppets to

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Organisation

communicate their feelings. Documentation is appropriately shared and confidentiality is acknowledged and maintained. Overall, the children's needs are being met satisfactorily.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, all three issues relating to documentation and resources to promote equality of opportunity have been successfully addressed. A written evacuation procedure has been devised and practised and the address and telephone number for Social Services has been included in the child protection procedure. This ensures the safety and welfare of children. The purchase of dolls, books, and materials to celebrate religious festivals promotes equality of opportunity at this setting.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 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): • assess the risks to children in relation to the grates, ladders and concrete post in the rear yard and take action to minimise these • ensure that child protection procedures complies with those of the local Area Child Protection Committee (ACPC) and these include procedures to follow if allegations of abuse are alleged to have taken place while the child is in the care of the childminder • notify Ofsted of any food poisoning affecting two or more children looked after on the premises, any child having meningitis or the outbreak on the premises of any notifiable disease • ensure that parents are provided with an account of the findings of a complaint and any action taken as a result, within 28 days.

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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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