Childminder in LancashireOfsted inspection, 21 Feb 2006

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 308565 Inspection date 21 February 2006 Inspector Janet, Elizabeth Singleton

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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 1997. She lives with two children aged 11 and 13 yrs. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom are used for childminding purposes and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently caring for eight children.

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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 holds an NNEB qualification and has 22 years experience in childcare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows good hygiene practices and makes sure children wash their hands after visiting the bathroom and before meals. Children learn about germs as the childminder talks to them about why they need to wash their hands and gently reminds children to wash their hands. The childminder has effective routines for nappy changing following the child's own routine from home to ensure a consistency approach is maintained. Younger children have their needs met as the childminder follows the childs individual need for a sleep and works closely with parents to ensure babies are cared for in a warm and nurturing environment. The childminder acts in the children's best interest when they are ill and their welfare is protected as all the appropriate documentation is in place and completed accurately. However, the first aid box, kept in the home, has some open bandages

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Helping children to be healthy

and therefore the risk of cross contamination is increased. Children learn about healthy eating as they make good choices from fresh fruit and sugar free juice or water. They help themselves to a drink at all times and they have their dietary needs met because the childminder understands the requirements of a balanced diet. They enjoy a lunch of freshly cooked chicken and talk to the childminder about what they are having.

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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 welcoming having room to move freely and choose toys and equipment. They enjoy making choices from a wide range of suitable and safe equipment including Lego, crayons, role play and small world and good quality books both fiction and non fiction. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder talks about danger to them and they enjoy practising the emergency evacuation procedure learning the action to take should an emergency situation occur. The children's safety is further protected by the childminder having highly effective safety procedures and practices in place for example, daily visual checks and monitoring of toys and equipment. Their safety is further enhanced because the childminder has the required safety features in place. Children are fully protected because the childminder has a considerable knowledge

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

and understanding of her role in child protection. She is fully aware of the signs and symptoms and the need to report, any issues, in line with the Area Child Protection

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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 Committee Procedures. She informs parents of her role and has obtained further information to assist her in keeping children safe.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are enjoying and achieving because the childminder plans and provides a wide range of good activities and opportunities for them. Children are learning about colour, shape and numbers as the childminder talks about them during their play. The children enjoy very positive relationships with the childminder. They ask for assistance, they talk about what they are doing and they benefit from a close and caring relationship which develops their self-esteem and gives them a sense of belonging. Children confidently ask for further resources as children ask to make play dough. Children take part in activities both inside and outside of the home as they go for walks and attend the local toddler groups. They acquire new knowledge and skills as they enjoy painting and as they use their imagination acting out roles using the small world resources for example, playing with the Barbie house and dolls.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children enjoy a routine which gives them a balance of structured and free play including quiet times to read or watch television. They develop their physical skills as they run in the park and attend the toddler group to climb on the equipment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are able to make a positive contribution as they are highly valued and respected by the childminder. All children are fully welcomed into the setting and are fully included. They enjoy learning about other cultures as they explore books and celebrate their own and the festivals of others, as they gain a sense of their own identity. Children learn to manage their behaviour because the childminder acts as a positive role model as she talks to the children in a reassuring voice. The childminder has effective strategies in place to promote children’s understanding of their behaviour for example, she talks to the children about their behaviour and she sets rules which the children understand such as not running and not climbing on furniture. Younger children learn to share as the childminder uses gentle prompts to encourage them and uses distraction effectively, moving children who want the same toy, onto

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Helping children make a positive contribution

another activity. The childminder fosters positive relationships with parents and provides them with information about the setting including the meals and activities to be provided. She actively seeks information from the parents about their child's likes and dislikes to enable their individual needs to be met. Parents are made to feel welcome into the setting and regularly discuss their child's development with the childminder.

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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 can play and learn in an environment that is organised to meet their needs by ensuring they can move freely and access good quality toys and equipment. The children feel at home in the setting choosing from the toys and equipment in the playroom. The children enjoy a well organised daily routine in which their social needs are fostered by attendance at the toddler group. Children's welfare is protected as all regulatory documentation is available, well maintained and mostly up to date including all children's details. However, the register of attendance had not been fully completed. The childminder evaluates her practice in order to improve and further meet the needs of the children. The childminder ensures all new information is acted upon and included in her information for parents. Overall, the setting meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to seek written parental consent for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice. The childminder has now obtained written consent for the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice. As a consequence children's emergency medical needs can be attended to.

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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 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

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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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure the first aid box, which is kept in the home, is appropriately stocked • ensure the register is maintained on a daily basis.

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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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