Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY216891 Unique Reference Number 16 May 2006 Inspection date Ann Bamford 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?

This childminder has been registered since June 2003. She offers care from her detached home with gardens to the front and rear. The home is situated on a newly established residential development in the Fern Hurst Farm area of Blackburn. There are road links and a bus route nearby. Roadside parking is available outside the home. The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding Association (NCMA) and of a local childminding network. She holds a recognised qualification in Childcare and Health.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole of the ground floor and two bedrooms are used for childminding purposes. In addition, children have access to suitable toilet and hand washing facilities on the ground floor and to an outdoor play area in the garden to the rear of the home. An integral garage in the home has been converted into a designated playroom.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Care is available from 08.00 until 18.00 each weekday with the exception of bank holidays. Care outside these times may be negotiated.

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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 lives with her husband and their two children. At the time of inspection there were three children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children stay healthy because the childminder makes very effective use of training, such as Basic food hygiene, to raise children's awareness of how to reduce germs. Children are starting to take responsibility for their own hygiene needs as they wash their hands independently or clean their teeth. The childminders use of herself as a good role model when, for example, cleaning teeth enhances children's skills in knowing what to do correctly.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of individual children's needs and likes in relation to food. She uses this very well to ensure that babies and children have a balanced diet and eat a wide variety of food which meets individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing strong healthy bodies as the childminder offers them regular opportunities for physical exercise, such as walking to local groups. In addition she has planned activities, such as swimming, which allows children to develop specific skills in an enjoyable way.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder' ensures that children maintain good health as she uses information provided by parents about children's medical needs to provide care for children. Children maintain good health as the childminder plans her day around children's individual needs for rest and sleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are kept entirely safe in the home as a result of the childminder's robust use of identifying and reducing risks. Children are developing an excellent awareness of how to keep themselves safe around the home as they are involved in getting out equipment such as scissors and point them to the floor. They can describe why they need to keep scissors away from faces. In addition, children are developing an enhanced awareness of keeping themselves and others safe as they regularly practise the fire plan.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's skilled consideration of toys and equipment means that children are free to select toys from a range that is suitable to their stage of development. Children are developing an awareness of how to avoid injuries as the childminder involves them in tidying up when there are toys out which may cause them to trip. Children are developing a good awareness of their own developing ability to keep safe as the childminder discusses their move from being strapped in the buggy to using a hand strap whilst out walking.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder uses equipment, such as safety gates and fireguards, very effectively to ensure children develop increasing safety and independence. Equipment, such as baby gates, are

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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 removed once the baby is no longer around. Children develop enhanced independence through the childminder's careful discussion of, for example, how to use the lounge safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's secure knowledge of her responsibilities in protecting children and her abundant confidence to act in the event of a concern relating to child protection issues ensures that children are fully safe in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are purposefully engaged in exciting activities during all their time spent in the setting. The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of child development. She makes effective use of the Birth to three matters framework to plan activities which develop individual children's skills and enjoyment. However, she does not yet focus on what the next steps are in the child's development and agree this plan with parents. She creatively plans activities with all children's individual needs in mind, such as painting, which allows children of all ages to be involved as the materials, like paint, are selected with the babies' needs in mind as well as those of older children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder plays alongside children offering them additional information, such as to negotiate the stairs in a little play house. Her effusiveness and imagination transmit to the children and their enjoyment of the game is very apparent. Children are developing the ability to communicate effectively as the childminder consistently encourages them to be aware of the likes and needs of others. Older children share toys readily with younger children present.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder takes a very creative approach to what children do whilst in her care. She imaginatively encourages children to develop self help skills through taking part in every aspect of life in the home. Children develop manipulative skills through tidying and baking. They become competent learners and skilful communicators as they work together to return the Play Doh to its pot or get out the mats. The enjoyment that children experience when engaging with these tasks gives them a thirst for learning and an enjoyment of tasks for daily living. By displaying children's work around the home, the childminder enhances children's positive attitudes towards learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel a real sense of belonging as the childminder greets them warmly as they arrive. They have their own space to put their belongings. They are developing a strong awareness of the wider world as they play with toys and equipment which reflect the diverse needs of our society. The childminder enhances this understanding by engaging children in discussions about people they know, for example with poorly legs. She makes effective use of plans to ensure that children learn about festivals, such as, Chinese new year or Eid.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has very good experience of meeting children's individual needs. She is clear how to gather information in order to asses how she could offer care. She has worked with parents and other professionals to provide care. In addition, she is confident to speak to parents

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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 should areas of concern arise, and takes responsibility to find out further information on syndromes, such as, Attention Deficit Disorder or similar conditions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing responsible and considerate behaviour as a result of the childminder's skilful encouragement of children to consider others' needs. Children of mixed ages play very harmoniously together as a result of the childminder's careful planning of equipment and her regular reminders to older children to share and offer toys to younger children. Children are polite and very well behaved as a result of the specific praise they receive from the childminder for sharing their toys and time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are always cared for in line with parents' wishes. The childminder makes very good use of written information about how she offers care and involves parents very effectively in planning individual care for their child. She uses information she gathers from parents about children's needs very creatively to offer care which is individualised and transparent to parents. The written diary ensures that parents know about aspects of care even when time to talk is short. The childminder builds very strong relationships with parents. She is open and honest about her service. She informs parents of any difficulties immediately. Parents are then given follow-up written information with copies of records, such as the incident record.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her home and her time very effectively to provide care for small children. She takes steps to ensure that adults who are in the home are suitable to be around young children. She makes effective use of her original training to care for children and is well able take on new training, such as the Birth to three matters framework, and use it effectively to enhance care. She makes good use of records to support safe care as all records are current and easily available during the inspection.

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Organisation

Children are developing an awareness of the need to be organised as the childminder discusses and involves them in the planning of time. They can predict when activities, such as swimming or trips out to collect siblings from school, will be likely to occur through the childminder's skilful use of routines and gentle reminders.

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Organisation

The childminder's commitment to providing a good service means that she is able to asses where her strengths and weaknesses are and enters discussions about how to develop her practice accordingly.

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Organisation

The provision meets the needs of all children who attend

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a recommendation was raised regarding the regular practising of the fire plan. The plan is displayed in the home and is practised regularly with children. Records show when this has taken place. This action has improved the safe care of children.

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Improvements 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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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received concerns relating to National Standards 1: Suitable Person and National Standard 2: Organisation . A Childcare inspector visited the provision on 15 September 2005. An action was raised and satisfactorily met by the registered provider. The provider remains qualified for registration. The childminder is required to keep a record of complaints which is made available to parents on request. This record may contain information on complaints other than those referred 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): • improve the system of recording what children can do to reflect the next steps planned for children.

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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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