Dagnall, Lesley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY315630 Inspection date 10 April 2006 Inspector Susan Janet Lee

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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 was registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 5 and 6 in a semi-detached property in Farnworth, Bolton. The lounge, kitchen, dining area, conservatory and bathroom on the ground floor are used for childminding purposes. There is a rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for four children. The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local primary school and she is a member of the National

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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 Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a well maintained environment. They stay healthy because the childminder exercises good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of cross infection. For example, she uses antibacterial spray to wipe work surfaces, ensures children wash their hands at appropriate times of the day and she follows good standards of hygiene in nappy changing to help protect very young children. The written sick children's policy and the childminder's good awareness of childhood illnesses and exclusion periods help to protect children from infection. Children's dietary requirements are successfully met as the childminder takes this information into account when planning snacks and meals. Children's health is promoted as the childminder provides snacks and meals that are well balanced and include organic products, home cooked meals, fresh fruit and fresh vegetables from a local farm, aiding children's growth and development. Children have drinks at regular

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Helping children to be healthy

intervals and are able to ask for a drink at any time, enabling them to quench their thirst as needed. The children have lots of opportunities to enjoy and develop their physical skills. Very young children are able to move about freely to practise gross motor skills, such as sitting and walking. Children enjoy play in the garden and trips to the park. A child talks about going to the park and playing on the swings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a homely, warm and welcoming environment. Space is well organised to accommodate different activities. The children are able to move around freely from one room to another to extend their play. There is a good selection of furniture available, allowing the children to play, rest and eat in comfort. The childminder provides a wide range of resources to meet the needs of children aged from birth to 8 years. These are checked on a regular basis to minimise risks to children. Equipment and toys are clean, safe and of suitable design. The childminder has a clear awareness of safety and she has taken all reasonable steps to ensure that the environment in which children are cared for is safe and secure. She follows daily routines to help keep the children free from harm; for example, hot drinks are kept out of reach of children in the kitchen and small toys are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

kept out of reach when very young children are present. The childminder supervises the children well to enable them to play safely and independently. The children develop an awareness of safety from an early age as the childminder uses age appropriate explanation and distraction techniques. For example, the childminder explains to the children that they need to pick up some toys from the floor as they

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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 may slip on them and hurt themselves. All required documentation is in place and the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection matters and procedures; as a result, children's welfare is safeguarded and protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are engaged and happily occupied as they have access to a wide range of age appropriate and interesting activities. Children also benefit from outside activities as the childminder utilises local amenities, such as the park, library, parent toddler group and childminder drop in sessions, widening children's experiences and giving them opportunities to socialise with their peers. The childminder maintains individual children's portfolios and these include photographs of the children involved in lots of interesting activities. These are shared with parents on a regular basis. The childminder plans activities and uses every day routines to help children build on first hand experiences and learn about features of their surroundings. For example, she takes the children to a local farm to buy eggs and fresh vegetables and the children are soon to visit the fire station.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder shares warm relationships with the children, who are happy and secure in her care. She offers lots of positive physical contact by means of hugs and cuddles and the children respond by nestling into her for a cuddle as they play. The childminder nurtures children's early communication skills. She listens and responds to very young children's babbling, helping to reinforce early speech patterns. The childminder dedicates much time playing and talking to the children. She sits at the same level as the children as they play and interacts with them to extend language and encourage imaginative play. As the children play with threading buttons, the childminder introduces colour and shape concepts. When they sit together to read a story, the childminder encourages the children to handle the books with care and turn the pages carefully. She challenges children's thinking by asking them what will happen next. The children join in with the story as they help to count

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder gathers a wealth of information from parents about children's individual needs to enable her to be in a position to best meet these needs. Trips to local amenities help the children to develop an awareness of their local community. Children have access to a good range of resources that reflect diversity and they celebrate their own and other festivals, helping them to learn about the wider world and value each other's similarities and differences. The written behaviour management policy works well in practice. The childminder

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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 sets a good role model to the children; she treats them with care and concern, uses please and thank you and encourages them to share and take turns. As a result, children develop an awareness of what is expected of them. Children receive lots of praise for their efforts and achievements, helping to raise their confidence and self-esteem. The children develop a good sense of belonging. They enter with ease and happily wave goodbye to their parents before going to play. The childminder gives the children responsibility as they help to tidy toys away. The children are made to feel special; a child recently celebrated his birthday. The childminder gave him a birthday tea and he was able to blow out the candles on his birthday cake. The childminder shares good working relationships with parents who are greeted

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Helping children make a positive contribution

warmly on arrival. She has developed a comprehensive portfolio which includes written policies and procedures. This is shown and discussed with parents at the initial meeting and parents are given a copy of the policies, helping to forge good working relationships and a shared understanding with parents from an early stage.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder has a high regard for children's well-being as she attends lots of training to further develop her childcare practice. She has a valid first aid certificate, ensuring she has up to date knowledge of what to do in the event of an accident or minor injury. The childminder organises space, time and resources well to effectively meet children's needs. The record of children's attendance shows that ratios are maintained to promote children's care. Written policies and procedures work well in practice to positively promote children's health, safety and welfare. The childminder maintains individual children's records to ensure confidentiality. Most required documentation is in place; however, there is no written parental consent in place in relation to emergency medical attention and there is no system in place to record complaints. Overall the provision meets the needs of the range of the children who attend.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they

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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 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): • request written parental consent for emergency medical attention and develop a system to record complaints.

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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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