Childminder in Nottingham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

254744 Unique Reference Number 27 April 2006 Inspection date Alison Edwards Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This childminder registered in 1997. She lives with her husband, adult son and two younger children aged 11 and 15 years of age on a residential road in a suburb of Nottingham. Minded children use the ground floor of the house. A dog, skinks (lizards) and aquarium and pond fish are kept as family pets. The childminder is registered to offer care for six minded children under eight years. There are currently six children on roll on a part-time basis.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and suitably maintained family home helping to maintain their health. Easy access to the ground floor cloakroom enables children to develop growing independence in simple self-care routines such as washing their hands. Suitable arrangements

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 are in place to ensure family pets do not pose a hazard to minded children, for example by ensuring children do not have unsupervised contact with the dog. The childminder is aware of appropriate procedures used for nappy changing to minimise risks of cross infection, such as prompt disposal of soiled nappies. Suitable arrangements are in place to enable the childminder to deal with any medication needs or minor accidents, and to seek additional medical advice in the event of any more serious incident, so helping ensure children's welfare is promoted.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Daily activities are informally organised to enable children to rest and be physically active according to their needs. For example, a quiet time after lunch often enables younger children to rest after they have been physically active during visits to the park or playgroup in the mornings. Children begin to develop their hand-eye coordination by using a range of resources, such as when a toddler shows interest in manipulating a shape sorter and assortment of shapes.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Suitable arrangements are in place for parents and childminder to share information on children's health and dietary needs, enabling these to be met, for example by ensuring that foods and drinks are suitable for a child with salt allergy. Meals and snacks are generally suitably balanced and often include nutritious items such as fresh fruit and vegetables, so helping contribute to a healthy diet. Older children are able to access drinking water from a fridge dispenser, whilst covered beakers of water are kept accessible for younger children. This helps ensure children take sufficient fluids.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The suitably-maintained family premises provide sufficient space on the ground floor for children to play, eat and relax within the childminder's sight or hearing, so helping to ensure they are appropriately supervised. The risk of children leaving the premises unsupervised is minimised because the front door is kept secured and opening windows have high catches. However, as yet children are not consistently prevented from accessing the first floor of the premises which is not registered as suitable for childminding. Children do not use the back garden for play at present following installation of a large unprotected pond which currently poses a safety hazard. Walks in the local neighbourhood, including use of local parks, are therefore used to enable children to safely experience fresh air and physical exercise.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Furnishings are in clean and sound condition and enable children to rest, eat and play comfortably. For example, they are able to relax on comfortable sofas or use the kitchen table for meals or creative activities. Children are able to safely access a selection of play equipment, generally suited to their interests and stage of development, because these are stored on low shelves in the lounge or stacker boxes in the breakfast kitchen or conservatory. A number of sensible precautions are in place to minimise identified hazards and help keep children safe, for example ensuring that kitchen knives and the kettle are out of children's reach and that household medicines are inaccessible.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of what child abuse and neglect mean. She recognises her responsibility to contact the relevant authorities in the event of any child protection concerns in order to help safeguard children's welfare. However, lack of familiarity with the current contact details identified in local guidance limits her ability to do this to best effect.

p.3

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and relaxed in the childminder's care and are often contented and busy when using a selection of generally suitable toys and play materials. They are often able to make simple choices in the play, such as when a toddler confidently moves between ground floor rooms and spends time handling simple inset puzzles and stacking and shape sorting toys. Daily activities and routines include opportunities for children to become familiar with facilities in their local community, for example as they help the childminder select items in local shops, take the ticket as they board a bus, or use local parks for exercise and fresh air. Children sometimes undertake activities helping to develop their creativity or awareness of the natural world, such as when they participate in finger painting, make Easter cards or help plant sunflower seeds. The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, giving guidance on

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

provision for younger children. However, as yet she is not familiar with ways of using these materials to extend the range of stimulating activities and experiences for younger children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individuality is recognised because the childminder takes account of information supplied by parents about their specific health and care needs, for example regarding food allergies or sun care routines for children with different skin types. Children begin to understand their own needs, and how to meet these, for example as they are able to get readily-accessible drinks when they are thirsty. Consistent routines help children feel settled and familiar with what is expected of them, for example as a toddler is relaxed and cooperative whilst having his nappy changed. The childminder is aware of the use of some positive methods such as attention, praise and explanation, to help children understand what behaviour is expected of them and develop their self-esteem.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder recognises the value of working with parents and other relevant agencies to help support the inclusion of children and families with identified special needs. Children sometimes begin to recognise individual lifestyles and abilities, for example when they see television programmes featuring simple sign language or taste foods from different parts of the world. However, as yet there is little planned use of activities and resources to help extend children's recognition and respect for diversity.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Arrangements with parents are often well-established, helping to support continuity and consistency of care for children. Initial visits enable the childminder and prospective parents to discuss expectations for children's care. However, written agreements are not consistently used with parents to ensure business and care arrangements, such as hours of attendance and meals to be provided, are clearly identified to ensure the individual needs of children and families are met to best effect.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are contented in the comfortable environment and relaxed in their dealings with the childminder. There are suitable arrangements in place to maintain most documents necessary to supporting children's daily care, such as information regarding contact and health details. Daily attendance registers are kept to confirm that suitable adult:child ratios are maintained to support children's welfare. However, the childminder does not currently meet regulatory requirements in full because Ofsted has not been informed of a significant change in the premises affecting the space and level of care available to minded children. This arises from the construction of a large new pond in the rear garden. As this currently poses a potential hazard to children, the childminder is keeping the door to the garden locked, so preventing children using the garden for outdoor play until safety measures such as a cover or fence have

p.5

Organisation

been installed. Overall, children's needs are met.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection several recommendations were made to improve the arrangements for children's care. Limited progress has been made on addressing these issues. Satisfactory systems are now in place to ensure that appropriate parental consent is obtained regarding administration of medication, so helping to ensure children's health can be maintained.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Provision of a working smoke alarm on the ground floor partially minimises fire risks to children. However, the first floor smoke alarm is currently not working, and so does not fully protect children from risks of a fire starting in this area. The childminder makes some provision to minimise risks of children accessing the unregistered first floor of the house by keeping doors to the hall closed at most times. However, this is not fully effective in ensuring children are unable to gain access to the stairs and first floor as older children independently open these doors to access the ground floor cloakroom off the hall. A further recommendation has therefore been raised to address these issues.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to develop more effective use of activities and resources to promote equality of opportunity and reflect diversity, but children still have limited access to such resources so a further recommendation has been raised. A recommendation was also raised regarding the childminder's knowledge of child protection procedures. The childminder is aware of what child abuse and neglect mean and of her responsibility to contact the authorities in the event of child protection concerns. However, she lacks familiarity with the specific guidance on whom to contact in such circumstances, so limiting her ability to safeguard children's welfare to best effect. A further recommendation has therefore been raised on this issue.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since April 2004. The provider is required to keep a record of all complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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): • ensure written agreements with parents are in place to establish shared expectations regarding care and business arrangements • make use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to improve outcomes for younger children • improve safety arrangements by ensuring children are unable to gain access to the first floor and ensuring that the first floor smoke alarm is maintained in working order • continue to develop effective provision of resources, activities and first hand experiences to help children recognise and respect diversity • develop familiarity with local child protection procedures • ensure systems are in place to inform Ofsted promptly of any significant changes or events, including any changes in childminding facilities that may affect the space available to children and the level of care available to them.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6