Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 307901 Inspection date 16 February 2006 Inspector Margaret Baines

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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 1990. She lives with her teenage daughter in semi detached home on the outskirts of Preston. She is registered to care for 6 children under 8 years and currently has 6 children on roll whom she cares for on a part time basis. The home is close to all local amenities which include the shops and a park. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor which includes a lounge, sitting room, kitchen/dining area. Toilet and hand washing facilities are located on the first floor. Children's sleep area is in the sitting room. There is an

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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 enclosed garden for children to access for physical play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She also receives support for the Local Authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a varied range of activities which contribute to their good health. Activities are planned, which children enjoy and contribute to improve their physical skills. For example, they enjoy the park and walks in the rural area where they watch the animals in the fields. They become increasingly aware of how activity affects their bodies and know when they need a drink or a rest. They enjoy regular outdoor activities which promotes their good health and development. Children are secure and cared for in a clean, well maintained home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They are developing an understanding of why they must wash their hands at certain times of the day to avoid ill health from the exposure to germs. Children are beginning to understand the benefits of healthy eating because the childminder ensures they enjoy healthy snacks, which include apples, bananas and

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Helping children to be healthy

tangerines. Children have regular drinks provided to ensure they have their needs met adequately. The childminder is mindful of parental requests and children's preferences in all aspects of the snacks she serves to ensure a continuity of care between home and the setting. Children's dietary needs are adequately met in the care of the childminder because she ensures she has detailed information from parents to help her meet the children's individual needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are looked after in a safe and secure environment both indoors and out. The childminder gives priority to safety and undertakes regular safety checks to identify and minimise risks to children. Children enjoy the freedom of moving around freely and independently as they choose an activity from the good selection available. Children learn about fire safety, although, they have not recently had the opportunity to practise evacuating the premises. This, alongside sensitive explanation, helps children understand what is expected of them to keep safe. Dedicated rooms for play and sleep provide children with both quiet and more vigorous play areas. Children rest in their push chairs or curl up on the sofa, whichever meets their needs and parental requests. The childminder ensures activities are age appropriate and children enjoy them in safety. For example, the children play with the kitchen and the dolls. The childminder carefully monitors and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

supervises choices to ensure children play with appropriate toys suitable for their stage of development.

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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 Children are safe because the childminder is aware of her responsibility with regard to child protection. She demonstrates a good understanding of child protection issues and how to safeguard children in this area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and happy because the childminder relates well to them to ensure they feel secure. They particularly enjoy the activities available for them, for example, the small world toys and the kitchen resources in the play room. They also enjoy quiet time when the childminder reads a story. Children spend their time purposefully as they have good access to books and resources which assist their language and mathematical development. Children enjoy music and movement as they listen to tapes and sing songs and rhymes. Children have good opportunities to enjoy construction and creative play. They particularly enjoy the imaginative play asking the childminder if she wants a cup of tea. They also love to draw and to play with the dolls. On occasions they enjoy messy play and painting and when the weather is suitable they have good opportunities to enjoy the outdoors as the childminder takes them for walks in the rural area.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has received the Birth to three pack, a framework to assist with implementing this aspect of practice. She has begun to use this to enhance her practice to ensure she can meet the individual needs of the children in her care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals which helps to give them a sense of belonging. They are able to experience a positive view of the wider world and increase their awareness of diversity through images and experiences offered to them. For example, the childminder reads stories about children in other countries and has made available to them some resources which reflect a diverse society. Children effectively learn about good behaviour through positive reinforcement and good examples set by the childminder who is calm and caring. She takes the time to explain and uses appropriate strategies taking into account individual levels of understanding. Children are therefore beginning to show care and concern for each other by learning to share toys and to take turns. The childminder ensures that she receives information from parents to enable her to provide effectively to meet children's individual needs. She in turn shares information

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Helping children make a positive contribution

about herself so that good links are forged between them and this benefits the children, who feel secure within her home. At present she does not provide written information about the children's development whilst in her care.

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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 satisfactory. Children feel settled and content within this home which provides an organised environment with play and rest areas clearly defined. Information is shared with parents on a regular basis in the form of verbal communication. Parents have access to the policies available for some aspects of practice. The child protection policy requires updating in line with current requirements. The childminder has a sound awareness of children's developmental needs which ensures that she plans activities appropriately taking into consideration the ages of the children she cares for. She strives to create a stimulating environment where children are happy and content. Overall, the provision meets the needs of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards, is easily accessible in the kitchen; make the drains inaccessible to children; ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and ensure that all records relating children are maintained in a confidential manner. She has provided a fire blanket, has made the drains inaccessible to the children, has improved the range of resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and has ensured that all records relating children are maintained in a confidential manner. Consequently the care of the children has been enhanced considerably.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there have been two complaints relating to National Standard 1 suitable persons, National Standard 2 organisation and National Standard 12 working in partnerships with parents. Ofsted investigated the concerns by making unannounced visits to investigate the complaints. The complaint related to National Standards 2 required the childminder to voluntarily suspend her service and complete a health declaration form to be assessed by Ofsted's Medical Screening Unit. The process was completed satisfactorily and the voluntary suspension has now been lifted. Following the investigation of the complaint related to National Standards 1 and 12, actions were raised and satisfactorily met by the childminder, therefore she remains qualified for registration.

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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

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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): • consider the introduction of written development records to share with parents about their children when in the care of the childminder • amend the child protection policy to include the action to be taken should the childminder or a member of her household be implicated in a child protection issue • ensure that a record is kept of the emergency evacuation practices.

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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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