Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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307812 Unique Reference Number 16 May 2006 Inspection date Jannet Mary Richards Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 1990. She lives with her husband and teenage daughter in the Edenfield area of Ramsbottom. The childminder's home is situated on the main street. The lounge, dinning room, kitchen and upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. The children also have access to a secure yard for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

At the current time the childminder is caring for a total of five children under 8-years. She takes and collects children from the local primary school, and regularly visits local toddler groups.

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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 good. Children are cared for in a clean and hygienic environment which promotes their good health. The children are able to be independent in their personal care needs, they are encouraged and supported to wipe their own noses, for example.

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Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is well promoted in the childminders home, as children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks such as pasta, salad and fresh fruit. They are encouraged to drink often during the day to ensure that they do not become dehydrated. The children's drinks are placed in cups which they can reach easily, prompting them to recognise when they are thirsty and develop independence in their self-care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children develop healthy lifestyles as they spend time outdoors in the fresh air each day. They walk to and from the local primary school, to toddler groups, and go on many walks exploring nature in the local environment.

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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 environment which is organised well to meet their care needs. They have space designated for meals, sleep and play. They can reach the good range of toys and books easily, which allows them to make choices about what they do. They are very interested in the toys and books, which are appropriate for their stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's home has appropriate measures in place for keeping children safe, such as fireguards and safety gates. In addition the children understand the rules for keeping them safe, such as not walking around when eating food, holding on to the pram when outdoors and how to evacuate the house in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of child protection in order to safeguard the welfare of any children she may care for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy the time they spend with the childminder because they always have lots to do from a wide range of interesting activities. Each day they have time for quiet activities such as stories and puzzles, time for rest and time for lively activities outdoors. The childminder is very calm in her interactions with the children, which in turn influences the children who play calmly and concentrate very well. As they play the childminder talks to them, asking questions about what they are doing to encourage their thinking and learning through play. The children make good progress with their development because the childminder gets to know them very well. She observes what they do and records their progress on development charts. She then uses this information to plan activities to further promote the children's development. The children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 particularly enjoy stories and often spend time with the childminder looking at books and talking about the pictures which encourages them to become skilful communicators. The childminder uses props, such as finger puppets to add to the children's enjoyment of stories and rhymes. At the present time the children enjoy a wide range of age appropriate activities, though the opportunities for younger children to use their senses by exploring natural objects are limited.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children learn to respect each other and the toys as they are reminded to use their manners and look after the toys and books. They behave very well in response to praise and encouragement. The children develop a good awareness of differences as they play with toys and look at books which reflect different people in the world in which we live. In addition, they sometimes do activities such as tasting different foods linked to cultural celebrations, which enhances their understanding and encourages the children to value differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are well met. The childminder discusses all their care needs thoroughly with parents and follows their own familiar routines for sleep and meal times in order to help them to feel secure and settled.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works very well in partnership with parents and carers to ensure that the children are provided with good quality consistent care. Each day they exchange information about the children and the childminder also provides a written daily diary sheet for the parents of babies to make sure that they are well informed.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder's very good organisational skills ensure that she is prepared for the childminding day and that the children have lots of interesting things to do. The children benefit because the childminder has a good awareness of child development and keeps up to date with childcare issues and regulations. For example, the childminder has recently begun using the Birth to three matters framework to observe and record how children are developing and to plan activities for them.

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Organisation

The documentation relating to the care for children is maintained to a high standard. The childminder has devised a comprehensive handbook for parents which contains policies and procedures, which is very informative and easy to read. This provides an excellent guide to the childminder service provided and is particularly useful for new parents to ensure that they are fully aware of how the childminder works with children.

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Organisation

Overall the needs of all children who attend are well met.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection three recommendations were made relating to documentation. Since the inspection the childminder has amended documentation to ensure that medication and accident records are recorded in a way which provides confidentiality. She has also devised an effective system for recording fire drills. In addition, evidence that all members of the household are fully vetted and suitable is maintained. By successfully addressing these issues the childminder has improved the quality of information available to parents relating to the care for children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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 take account of the following recommendation(s): • consider increasing the range of objects made from natural materials, for younger children to explore using all of their senses

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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