Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY231538 Unique Reference Number 19 May 2006 Inspection date Joan, Patricia Flowers 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 became registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and nine in Preston, Lancashire. Schools, shops and parks are all within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with toilet facilities provided downstairs. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. There are five children on roll all under the age of five attending for various sessions each weekdays. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis, walks with the children to the shops or the park daily and takes and collects children from nursery sessions.

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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 learn about the importance of personal hygiene. For example, they are taught how to wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating their meals and snacks as they learn good hygiene habits. The childminder regularly cleans the toys, bathroom and kitchen areas with anti-bacterial solutions. Good levels of hygiene are therefore maintained which helps to prevent the spread of infection, keeping children healthy. The childminder's clear procedures also minimise the risk of infection to children as her sick child policy is discussed with parents/carers at the beginning of the placement and recorded on the contact.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of outdoor activities which contribute to their good health. They enjoy going to the park to play ball games, slide and swing on the equipment. Children also are developing control over their bodies when they ride wheeled toys at the toddler groups and at nursery. Their finer muscle control is promoted during everyday play. For example, in the childminder's home and at groups, as they engage with imaginative activities with the props in the play kitchen and when they draw, paint and use cutlery to eat their meals. Children play safely outdoors because the childminder is aware of sun safety. She takes appropriate steps to protect them, for example, by wearing sun hats. Children are therefore learning about how to keep themselves healthy and safe.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is effective in meeting children's dietary needs. She provides a selection of nutritious home cooked meals that include all food groups. She tries to introduce a wide range of foods so the children's palate can get used to different tastes, while taking account of any special dietary needs or preferences. Children are encouraged in their understanding of healthy eating and good nutrition because they talk about healthy foods over lunch and during role play, and copy the childminder's good example.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are kept safe and secure because the childminder takes positive steps to ensure the children's safety both inside and outside the home. She has all the necessary health and safety equipment, such as stair gates in place. Prams and harnesses are used when going for walks and children hold the childminder's hand as they learn about how to stay safe. The childminder helps children to understand about safety by encouraging and explaining why they need to keep the toys tidy, thus minimising the risk of tripping. They practise the emergency evacuation procedures regularly and learn to cross the road safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children feel secure and at ease because they are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. Space is organised well in the dedicated play room. Children have supervised access to all ground floor rooms which encourages their sense of independence. Children happily and confidently select age-appropriate activities from the accessible range of toys and equipment available. These are monitored by the childminder for safety to ensure that children are protected and that resources are matched to the children's age and stage of development.

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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 All children's welfare is further safeguarded because the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues. For example, she is alert to the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows the procedures to be followed if she was concerned about the well-being of a child in her care. The contact telephone number of the appropriate local child protection agency is not however included on the written policy nor is it readily available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's language and communication skills are developed well as they talk about what they are doing and sharing the games together. Children enjoy listening to stories read to them as they come to recognise the enjoyment of books. Their creativity is enhanced when they attend carer and toddler groups where they can become involved in creative activities in group settings, or draw and colour in the home environment. Children are given opportunities to be responsible, such as when they wash their hands, put their coat on or help to tidy up the play things. As a result they gain a sense of community and ownership for a job well done. They are encouraged to make choices in their everyday play because all resources are made easily available to them from the floor level storage boxes and low shelves in the play room. This increases their confidence levels and further promotes their independence and freedom of choice.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children learn to socialise with others of similar ages as they learn how to interact in groups and form friendships. They enjoy a warm caring relationship with the childminder, thus contributing effectively to their sense of belonging and emotional well-being in the childminder's home environment.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children settle quickly on arrival at the childminder's home into purposeful play as they make choices from a good selection of toys. Children become engrossed in imaginative play with the play kitchen as they act out familiar tasks they see performed at home. They are confident and able to express themselves as they practice their growing vocabulary and love of books. The childminder develops children's self-esteem by listening to them and becoming involved in their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children behave well, which is a clear consequence of the consistent management of unwanted behaviour by the childminder. She uses age-appropriate strategies to manage behaviour and ensures children understand the consequences of any undesirable behaviour, for example, that throwing toys could hurt someone. As a result, children learn which behaviours are inappropriate and why.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder meets children's needs effectively by ensuring she has good prior knowledge of each individual child. She obtains as much information as possible from both parents/carers and the children themselves about routine and preferences. She offers an induction period helping children to quickly settle with security. The ongoing exchange of information, for

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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 instance, through discussion and written records, ensures there is continuity of care between the childminder and the home setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for in a positive and nurturing environment. They receive praise for their efforts, for example, when they displaying good manners. As a result, children feel valued, secure and happy. Children gain a positive understanding of diversity and the world around them through discussion, and access to a selection of appropriate resources. In these ways children become aware of other peoples differences and similarities and of equality of opportunity.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease in the setting because it is well-organised and family oriented. The children can access all downstairs areas of the home, although the play room is predominantly the main space used. There is no access to outdoor play on the premises but the childminder ensures that children have daily opportunities for outdoor play at the park. This provides the required opportunities for children's all round physical development. They are able to initiate their own play and learning in an environment where the resources are easily accessible to them.

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Organisation

Information is shared effectively with parents and good communication ensures children's welfare, care and learning is fostered well. The childminder has a positive commitment to meeting registration requirements and she is active in furthering her own personal development by attending relevant child care related training. All required documentation is maintained efficiently which contributes to children's health, safety and well-being. Existing injuries are discussed but no formal record is made of such occurrences.

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Organisation

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 the childminder was asked to obtain parent's/carer's consent for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice, to obtain information about individual children's dietary requirements or allergies and to maintain the attendance register accurately. Also to develop knowledge of child protection issues and to increase the resources depicting difference.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the intervening period the childminder has addressed each of these areas successfully. All required permissions and consents are obtained at enrolment, together with details of children's individual requirements. Attendance registers are recorded daily. Increased resources and images of difference have been introduced and child protection knowledge has been up-dated.

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Improvements since the last inspection

As a result of the changes made, children's care, safety and learning have been improved and partnership with parent's enhanced.

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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

There are no complaints to report since 1st April 2004.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they may 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): • include the contact telephone number of the local authority social services child protection team on the child protection policy • maintain a record of existing injuries.

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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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