Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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308048 Unique Reference Number 10 May 2006 Inspection date Ann Lee 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 was registered in 1998. She lives with her husband in Ormskirk, Lancashire.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Two of the downstairs living rooms and the upstairs computer room are used for childminding. There is also a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children and there are currently eight children on roll who all attend on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local childminding group and takes children to the toddler group, library, parks and shops.

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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 outstanding. Children are cared for in an extremely clean, hygienic and comfortable environment and the childminder makes exceptional efforts to ensure that they are protected from infection and cross contamination. Each child has their own, different coloured, flannel in the bathroom and anti-bacterial wipes are used to clean the work surfaces. The childminder follows an excellent, hygienic procedure when changing nappies. Children learn about good personal hygiene because they are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. They also attend the childminder's toddler group where visitors, such as the dental health promotion worker explains why they should clean their teeth and provides activities which re-enforce this message. The childminder is extremely aware of health issues such as the dangers of exposing children to too much sun. Children learn why they must wear sun cream and about changes to

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder safeguards children in the event of illness or accidental injury because she has a current first aid certificate and obtains parental permission for emergency medical treatment. The first aid box is well stocked at all times and there is a comprehensive sickness policy in place which explains to parents what she will do if a child becomes ill. Babies and young children follow their own routines for eating and sleeping so that they settle in quickly and feel happy and secure. The childminder has an excellent knowledge of the children's individual needs and knows when they are ready to be fed, need a cuddle or a sleep.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have many rich and varied opportunities to develop their physical skills. The childminder does not drive so she and the children walk to and from school each day and enjoy daily visits to local toddler groups, shops, library and parks where they can play, run about, jump and climb. Children can freely access the garden from the main playroom and they thoroughly enjoy playing with the excellent variety of toys and equipment. They dig in the sand pit, ride bikes and other wheeled toys, push prams and throw balls and hoops. The childminder talks to them about how they feel and asks them whether they are hot, tired or thirsty. Babies and young children practise their small motor skills every day when they play with the many different types of construction equipment, manipulate puzzles, dough and shape sorters, paint, draw, and stick and cut with scissors during arts and crafts activities.

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Helping children to be healthy

Most parents provide meals for their own children and the childminder supplements these with healthy snacks and breakfast when required. Snacks are varied and nutritious and they include different kinds of fruit, raisins, slices of cucumber and plain biscuits. The childminder has an excellent understanding of 'healthy eating' and if parents ask her to provide main meals she offers the children a balanced, nutritious diet using fresh ingredients. Drinks of water are provided regularly throughout the day and older children can help themselves to drinks at any time. The childminder is meticulous when finding out about any special dietary needs, such as allergies, particular likes and dislikes or cultural needs and ensures that their individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

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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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are extremely safe in the childminder's house because she ensures that the front door is always locked and bolted and takes all necessary precautions to minimise the risk of accidental injury. For example, there is a safety gate across the stairs and socket covers, cupboard locks, fire blanket and smoke alarms are fitted. There is a comprehensive emergency evacuation procedure in place and children practise the fire drill regularly so that they learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency. The fire safety officer has visited the house to check that the smoke alarms are positioned correctly. Young children are encouraged to learn how to keep themselves safe and the childminder provides opportunities for them to visit the fire station and police station so that they can have fun and discuss safety issues.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder supervises the children very closely at all times and they are never left unattended. Sleeping children are closely monitored to ensure their safety and a baby alarm is available. On outings, the childminder has robust systems in place to ensure the safety of the children. She uses reins or the buggy to keep very young children safe and older children learn that they must stay beside the pram and within sight of the childminder and they know when it is safe to cross the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The house is very comfortable, welcoming and child friendly. Babies and young children usually play in the bright airy play room, but the older children also use another sitting room and the computer room if they want to watch television, use the computer or play quietly. The play room leads directly into the garden through patio doors and in good weather children move freely and confidently between the indoors and outside. They become independent and self assured and they develop an excellent sense of belonging in the setting because the childminder recognises their achievements, takes photographs of them at play and displays their art work on the walls.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is an outstanding range of clean, good quality toys and equipment for indoors and for outside play which is suitable for all ages of children. The varied and stimulating resources are set out around the room in boxes and on tables so that children can choose their own activities and become confident and independent. Other games, puzzles, construction, role play items and dressing up clothes are stored in cupboards upstairs and these are rotated to provide variety and interest. Children enjoy purposeful play which helps them to make excellent progress in all areas of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected because the childminder has completed training in child protection and has a thorough understanding of her role and responsibilities. All of the relevant information, such as emergency telephone numbers, is easily accessible. Information about the comprehensive child protection policy is shared with parents so that they understand the regulations which safeguard children and can work closely with the childminder to protect them.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder is very experienced and well trained so that she has a thorough understanding of child development and can help children to make good progress in all areas of development. She uses the 'Birth to three matters' initiative to help her to meet the needs of the children in her care. She introduces babies to natural objects using treasure baskets, helps them to develop a sense of self by using mirrors and playing peek-a-boo, and develops their language and communication skills by talking to them, singing rhyme and reading stories. She develops extremely close and loving relationships with the children which helps them to feel happy and secure in her care. Children are very much at ease and they engage in conversation with the childminder and ask questions. The childminder is friendly and approachable and she gets down on the floor to play with the children and offers new and interesting activities when they become

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

restless. Babies enjoy being held and cuddled and respond by smiling and gurgling. The childminder recognises their attempts to communicate and encourages their efforts. She talks to children and teaches them colours, shape and number recognition. Although there is no formal planning or recording of development the childminder recognises where each child is up to and helps them to progress to the next stage.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are well occupied and they enjoy a wide range of activities which help them to be creative and to learn new skills. The childminder has completed a training course in 'Creative art for the under 5's' and she provides stimulating activities which are adapted to suit the different ages of children minded. Children dress up for role play and play imaginary games using small world toys such as a toy hospital, train set and collection of animals. Older children enjoy arts and crafts, board games and playing computer games. The childminder ensures that children are always happy and well occupied including those who only attend for a short time before or after school.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn about the wider world on regular outings into the local community. They enjoy daily walks in the fresh air to toddler groups, the library, shops and parks. During school holidays they often use public transport to visit museums, nature reserves and other places of interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. A policy is in place for equal opportunities and the childminder has a good understanding of the issues involved, welcomes all children and meets their individual needs. Children generally learn about differences because the childminder provides some resources, such as books and small world figures, which reflect positive images of different cultures, religions and disability.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved. The childminder has devised a behaviour management policy which is shown to parents so that they can work together to deal with behaviour. The childminder is gentle and caring and she has devised some basic ground rules which the children are made aware of. For example, they know that they must not climb on the furniture and that food must be eaten at the table. She is fair but firm so that children know where they stand and they respond very well to her consistent management.

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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 Parents are made very welcome and the childminder encourages them to bring children for introductory visits so that they can all get to know one another. She has many letters of recommendation from parents who appreciate her flexible service and value the care and concern shown to their children. Parents are kept fully informed about their children's progress and development during daily conversations. They are provided with good information about policies and procedures and new initiatives, such as 'Birth to three matters' and when children leave her care parents are given a file containing examples of art work and photographs of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are protected in the setting because the childminder ensures that they do not come into unsupervised contact with people who have not been vetted. The childminder has completed many relevant childcare courses and she is committed to improving her knowledge and understanding of childcare issues through ongoing training.

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Organisation

The childminder provides a warm, welcoming and child friendly environment where children feel comfortable and at ease. They have some freedom of movement and can choose their own toys and activities from the good range on offer. The childminder organises the day well to ensure that children have time for play, rests, meals and outings.

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Organisation

All of the necessary records, policies and procedures are in place to promote the welfare and safety of children. They are well organised and shared with parents so that they can work with the childminder to ensure that the individual needs of their children are met. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved the safety of the children by writing an emergency evacuation procedure and practising the fire drill with the older children. She has further improved the children's safety because the front door is locked at all times and the key is hung out of reach of the children. The recording of attendance now includes the full name of each child.

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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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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 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): • continue to improve the range of resources, play opportunities and activities which reflect diversity

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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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