Isles, Jennifer Louise

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 405179 Inspection date 09 May 2005 Inspector Ferroza Saiyed

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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?

Childminder has been a registered since 1997. She lives with parents and two siblings. Her mother is also a registered childminder working with her. They live in a semi-detached property in a quiet residential area of higher Penwortham in Preston. The house is within close proximity of the parks, school, shops etc. Minded children have access to all of the ground floor, which includes the lounge, dining/kitchen. Toilet and washing facilities are just of the hall. Sleeping facilities is available on the ground floor, in the lounge and in one of the bedrooms on the ground floor. There is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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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 She is registered to care for 6 children under the age of 8 years at any one time and when working with another childminder to care for no more than 6 children under the age of 5 years. There are currently 8 children all attending on a part-time basis. At the time of the inspection there were 6 children under the age of 5 years were being minded. The childminder is a member of Penwortham Child Minding Group and holds the N.N.E.B. qualification.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. The children's health is promoted because the childminder has a good understanding of simple hygiene practices. This ensures children can play in a clean environment and prevents cross infection. The childminder’s nappy changing routine is effective, clean and pleasant for the baby by using anti-bacterial wipes for the changing mat, and talking to the child. The children’s wellbeing is maintained because appropriate documentation i.e. medication and accident recording is kept and are up to date. The children are beginning to understand the benefit of a healthy diet. As they learn about different types of fruits and choose from healthy snacks. For example bananas and juice are available at snack time, providing them with plenty of energy to play and grow. The childminder has a good knowledge and awareness of children’s likes and dislikes. These are in accordance with parent’s wishes. This ensures individual

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Helping children to be healthy

dietary needs are well met so children are well nourished. The baby's physical needs are met because the childminder follows the child's routines for sleep and feeding to ensuring consistency of care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The home is made warm and welcoming for children, with display of children’s artwork, posters, and photographs, which provides children with a sense of belonging. The open plan kitchen and dining area allows children to move about safely and independently to be able to explore their surroundings. There is a wide range of suitable equipment and play material for children to access for themselves. This contributes to their development of independence, as they safely choose from a wide selection of toys, and games. The children become confident in their physical abilities as they negotiate their way round the garden, maintaining their own safety as they freely explore their surroundings. The childminder helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe by undertaking regular fire drills with them. The children are kept safe both indoors and outdoors by complying with health and safety regulations. However, the childminder

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

has not identified potential risks in the garden for example there is low level glass which compromises young children’s safety.

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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 The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures to follow if she is concerned for the wellbeing of children in her care. As a consequence children’s welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children have an extremely positive relationship with the childminder. The children benefit from a very close and caring relationship which develops their self esteem and gives them a sense of belonging. They are provided with resources from which they can self select and make decisions about their play. For example when outdoors, some children explored the play house, whilst some investigated ‘dirt’. This consequently develops their investigation and exploration skills as they make choices of activities they wish to take part in. Play plans are well developed and stimulating for children and include a purposeful range of activities. For example children are encouraged to take part in creative activities thus enabling them to experience messy paint and to feel the texture as they explore the paint using their hands. Indoor space, the garden, visits to community groups, and trips to places of interest all allow children to discover new

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

environments and promotes highly stimulating experiences. This provides them with inspiring and challenging opportunities to develop social and intellectual skills. Young children and babies are stimulated through an extensive range of activities for example the large jigsaws and multi activity centre with lights and sounds. This promotes imaginative opportunity for babies to explore sound, movements and touch senses. The babies form strong bonds, which promote their emotional well being contributing to their sense of belonging and happiness.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The children’s awareness of other people’s similarities and differences is extended by the range of books and craft activities made available as they extend their understanding. The childminder provides meaningful activities to promote the views of the wider community. They learn about diversity from celebration of festivals such as Diwali & Chinese New Year. The childminder discuss with children about their behaviour towards others and children take responsibility from an early age to respect others. For example a child said to the childminder ‘‘can I play with this toy after her’”. The children learn about behaviour boundaries through everyday play situations in a home environment or in a group situation. Consequently their understanding of other people’s feelings and needs are developed and strengthened as they learn to share and to be kind. The children's behaviour is managed by providing them with lots of praises for their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

achievements, which promotes their self - esteem.

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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 The childminder ensures documentation and information is obtained from parents, prior to the child attending. This enables the childminder to follow the child's home routine ensuring consistency of care. The childminder encourages parents to contribute to their child’s development and well being, by using daily diaries to foster good relationships. This contributes to children’s overall development and well being.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The children’s care is enhanced by efficient and effective organisation. The childminder has all regulatory documentation in place, which is very well maintained and up to date. The children’s individual needs are promoted at all times aided by the clearly written policies and procedures. These are shared with parents to enhance the quality of care each child receives.

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Organisation

The organisation of the setting is effective with room for children to move freely and self select resources. The childminder has an informal routine in place, which is based on the children's needs thus enabling them to gain maximum enjoyment from activities provided. The childminder is pro-active in improving her service by attending childcare courses and looking to develop her childcare skills to further meet the needs of all children. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection there were some actions and recommendation which needed to be addressed and these were to: ensure an emergency evacuation procedure was in place; ensure good hygiene practices were in place; plan a range of activities for children’s overall development; provide resources to reflect diversity and to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The childminder has addressed the above issues. She has: in place a written evacuation procedure, with regular drills taking place; attended food hygiene course and the environmental health officer has visited the premises; a plan of daily routine for the children; resources to reflect diversity and she is to attended a child protection awareness training in the next few months. The children’s safety and overall well being has been improved.

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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 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): • make safe all low level glass, to ensure children's safety.

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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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