Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY316940 Inspection date 26 April 2006 Inspector Debra, Elizabeth Mitcheson

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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 satisfactory. 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 with Ofsted since 2005. She resides with her partner and twenty month old child in a property in Brierfield, Nelson. The children have access to the whole of the ground floor of the house and bathroom and child's bedroom on the first floor. A rear garden is available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for up to five children. Two children are currently being minded on a part time basis.

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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 satisfactory. Children are helped to stay healthy because they are cared for in premises which are maintained to a satisfactory standard of cleanliness. This is because the childminder follows adequate health and hygiene practices in line with her policies. However, procedures for notifying Ofsted of food poisoning and notifiable diseases have not been included. A daily cleaning regime around the home and particular attention to keeping animal bedding and fish tank clean ensures the risk of cross infection is minimised for the children. Children are nourished with food and drink that is both provided by the childminder and parents. This meets their individual dietary requirements but limits opportunities for some children to learn about healthy living, for example, health and hygiene procedures surrounding meal preparation and making healthy choices. However, children do have a choice of healthy snacks. For example, fruit and raw vegetables.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy their lunch of home made mince and onion pie with vegetables and yogurt at a child sized table. This time is used as a social occasion where they chat and practice good table manners. They recognise that they are thirsty and demonstrate their increasing independence as they access their own drinking cups during the visit. Physical activity takes place every day. Therefore, children have the opportunity to develop physically. They are taken on walks to the local park where they access slides and swings to practice their coordination, climbing and balancing skills and they demonstrate their hand-eye coordination during their participation in a music and movement activity. Children recognise their need to rest after this activity and without prompting climb into their prams, lay back and snuggle up to their cuddly toy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are encouraged to keep themselves safe as they practice regular fire evacuation procedures and make use of car seats on outings. The childminder also acts as a good role model. She takes further reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to the children on the premises, both inside and out, are minimised. For example, 'passwords' are shared with the childminder, by the person collecting the child, before they are released into their care. Therefore, children are sufficiently protected from harm and can move around safely, freely and independently at all times. Children are encouraged to make use of a good selection of both age and size appropriate toys and equipment, which conform to safety standards. The development of the children is enhanced by the childminder’s creative use of all available space. Rooms are adapted well for specific activities that include sleeping,

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

dining and indoor and outdoor play activities.

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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 provider has most of the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. This means the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures in line with the local Area Child Protection Committee guidelines. However, procedures are not available in relation to allegations of abuse that is alleged to have taken place while the child is in the care of the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. This relatively new registered childminder helps the children feel good about themselves through constant reassurance and praise. Children are confident and demonstrate good self-esteem. They initiate their own activities and choice of toys and equipment. Children show great interest and enthusiasm as they interact positively with their peers and childminder. They squeal with delight as they are able to see their reflection in a mirror and smile proudly following the praise they receive for pointing out the colours of familiar objects and animals in a book. The childminder clearly knows her children well and is knowledgeable on child development. She draws upon her experience as a mother and teaching assistant. This assists her in planning and providing purposeful play opportunities that are fun and develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities. For

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

example, reading stories, early maths and writing, counting familiar objects, access to craft materials, small world, sand and water and outdoor play. Children's progress is observed and recorded. This information is shared with parents to take the children to their next steps of learning. The childminder provides an excellent range of activities for the age group of children cared for. These are used to give children the opportunity to learn new skills for example, potty training and independence skills as they tend to some of their own personal needs at toileting times.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to develop an awareness of the wider society because the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge about equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She is aware of her role and has an adequate amount of toys to support children’s learning in this area of their development. Children's sense of belonging in the home is encouraged, due to the warm welcome they receive from the childminder and the positive interaction that is provided. They are happy and able to enjoy a one to one relationship with the childminder most of the time and make choices in their play to access a varied range of available equipment. Most procedures have been formalised in line with new childcare regulations, therefore parents are aware of how to make a complaint if and when required. The childminder is building positive working relationships with parents to meet most of the

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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 individual children’s needs, for example dietary requirements and daily routines. This involves spending time together at induction sessions to establish what children can do and ensures that this process is ongoing. Daily diaries provide parents with information about the child's day. Children begin to understand between right and wrong and this is demonstrated throughout the visit. One child reminds another that they should not be painting the floor. The childminder uses appropriate methods for managing children's behaviour which has been agreed with parents. These include praise, distraction and a lot of patience. Therefore, children are well behaved and respond positively to guidance and direction from the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The organisation of care is meeting children's needs and most regulatory requirements. This means outcomes for children are adequately promoting the children's safety and ability to positively contribute at this setting whilst developing to their full potential. The adult to child ratio is maintained at all times which ensures that the childminder positively supports most aspects of the children's care, learning and play. The space is used appropriately throughout the setting to assist with the children's needs in relation to defined areas for eating, playing, and quieter activities, such as books, television, rest or sleeping. All the required documentation is available and stored with attention being adhered to in relation to maintaining confidentiality. Overall, the setting is satisfactory in meeting all the needs of children for whom care is provided.

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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 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

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 quality and standards of the care are satisfactory. 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): • amend the sick child policy in line with recent regulations • ensure that child protection procedures are in place including allegations of abuse alleged to have taken place whilst children are in the care of the childminder • maintain a record of first aid training for inspection by the child care inspector.

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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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