Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 308302 Inspection date 18 April 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 1998. She lives on the outskirts of Padiham near Burnley with her husband and two children. The minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor and a quiet room for sleep and rest. There is an enclosed outdoor play area providing opportunities for physical play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children who attend for a variety of sessions during the week. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends toddler groups in the local area.

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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 is a qualified nursery nurse and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows good hygiene practices and ensures children wash their hands after visiting the bathroom and before meals. Children show an understanding of the need to wash hands, because of germs, and how to limit cross contamination by not sharing spoons when baking. The childminder has an effective routine for nappy changing following the child's own routine from home to ensure a consistent approach is maintained. Younger children have their needs met as the childminder follows their individual rhythms for 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. Children are very well nourished and learn about healthy eating as they talk about

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Helping children to be healthy

healthy foods, for example, the need to eat fresh fruit and vegetable. They enjoy freshly made meals including vegetable broth, chicken and mashed potatoes. They access fresh drinks as they help themselves to their own cups therefore monitoring their own need for a drink.

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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 very welcoming, having room to move freely and without restriction. They choose good quality toys and equipment and enjoy making choices from a wide range of suitable and safe resources, including bricks, crayons, jigsaws, small world and good quality books. Children are developing a good understanding of safety as they discuss stopping, looking and listening when crossing the road. They know to cross by the 'pelican crossing' and talk about waiting for the 'green man' before crossing. They know not to throw things because you may hurt someone and they talk about being kind to each other. Their safety is further safeguarded as the childminder carries out a daily check to ensure there is nothing which may be a hazard to the children. All the required documentation, such as consent for outings, is in place and safeguards the welfare of the children. Children's welfare is further protected

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

because the childminder understands her role in child protection. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and is confident in the action to take should any issues arise.

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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. Children are enjoying and achieving because the childminder plans and provides a wide range of good activities and opportunities for them. They are learning about colour, shape and number as the childminder talks about them during their play. Children enjoy very positive relationships with the childminder, asking for assistance and talking about what they are doing. They benefit from a close and caring relationship which develops their self-esteem and gives them a sense of belonging. Children are motivated and stimulated, being interested and occupied at all times as they change toys, listen to stories and colour pictures. They show an excellent interest in what they are doing and become animated as they sing songs and act out nursery rhymes, for example, 'Incy Wincy Spider'. Children discuss how much they enjoy baking buns and ask when they can make some more. Children take part in activities both inside and outside of the home as they go for

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

walks and attend the local toddler groups. They enjoy a routine which gives them a balance of structured and free play including quiet times to read or watch television.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children are welcomed into the setting, being valued as individuals and their family respected. The childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity for all children. The children learn about people's differences in a positive manner, because there are toys and equipment available to them at all times. The childminder ensures all children can join in all activities and effectively encourages the younger children to take part. The children are beginning to take responsibility for their behaviour because the childminder encourages positive behaviour by ignoring the negative and by using praise and encouragement. The children's self-esteem is promoted as the childminder uses praise effectively. Her strategies for helping children learn to manage their behaviour are to set boundaries and guidelines which are realistic and appropriate. Children readily discuss the reasons why they have be nice and how

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Helping children make a positive contribution

their actions may hurt another child if they are not careful. Parents are fully included with the childminder sharing information with them to ensure good relationships are fostered. Folders are shared with parents to ensure they are fully aware of the care and activities provided for their child. However, there is no formal procedure for notifying parents of their child's participation in the paddling pool activity.

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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 Children can play and learn in an environment that is organised to meet the children's 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 well organised resources in the lounge. They enjoy a well organised daily routine in which their social needs are fostered by attendance at the toddler group. Children's needs are met because the childminder has all regulatory documentation in place which is mostly well maintained, organised and up to date. The documentation was readily available for inspection and includes individual files for children attending. However, in regard to the accident records not all documentation is signed by 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 requested to devise an emergency evacuation procedure and to formalise the verbal sick children policy. The childminder has devised a written emergency evacuation procedure and a sick children policy which includes the exclusion details of infectious diseases. The development of the evacuation procedure ensures the appropriate action can be taken in the case of an emergency in order to keep children safe. By devising a sick children policy the childminder ensures parents are made aware of the need to isolate children, when they have an infectious disease, in order to minimise the risk of cross contamination and infection and to keep children healthy.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been 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 take account of the following recommendation(s):

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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 • ensure records are completed accurately in regard to the accident records being signed by parents • ensure parents are fully aware of their child's participation in the paddling pool activity.

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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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