Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY216760 Unique Reference Number 10 May 2006 Inspection date Rosemary Moore 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 inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been a registered since 2005. She lives with her partner and two children aged nine years and six years old. They have recently moved house in Earls Barton, Northamptonshire. The local school, shops and toddler group are within walking distance. The whole of the ground floor and the small bedroom at the back of the property are areas used for childminding. Children have access to outside play in the garden.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children part-time. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 cared for in a warm, clean home where their health is promoted through the childminder’s satisfactory standards of hygiene. For example, appropriate systems are in place for the safe preparation of food. Children are learning good practice and personal care through familiar hygiene routines such as hand washing before and after snacks. Children's welfare is not fully safeguarded because the childminder does not have up-to-date first aid knowledge, although she is due to attend training shortly. Procedures are in place regarding the administration of medication, in the event of any accidents or if children are unwell. However these were not available for inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand that certain foods, such as fresh fruit and vegetables, contribute to their good health through discussions with the childminder. Snacks are provided to meet the children's individual dietary requirements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical skills are improved with regular exercise and they enjoy walking to and from their local school and pre-school and sometimes play in the local park, weather permitting. This contributes to their good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in a home where some risks are identified and minimised. However, there are areas of risk to children's safety in the home, as glass doors and cabinets have not been checked. These are accessible to the children and therefore a danger to their safety. The childminder demonstrates some awareness of fire safety as she has a fire blanket in the kitchen, and she has practised any emergency evacuation with the children. There is no smoke detector on the first floor of the premises. Therefore, the safety of children is not fully maintained, in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children play in a secure environment both indoors and in the garden. They can access toys and resources set out safely and request other that are kept suitably stored. Equipment is clean and well-maintained and age appropriate.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of her responsibilities for the welfare of the children in her care. She has sufficient knowledge of referral procedures for child protection. Therefore, children's well-being is promoted.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and relaxed within the home, and with the childminder. They have opportunities to play with appropriate activities and enjoy using the trains and railway track. They begin to use their imagination as they play, and they enjoy sitting quietly watching

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 children's television programmes. Older children returning from school at the end of a day are also given opportunities to relax and choose activities. The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three matters' framework, although is not currently using it to provide and promote interesting and stimulating activities for the younger children to further develop their learning. Children enjoy regular outings and these help to broaden their range of experiences. For example, walking from the village school with visits to the park on the way home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about the wider world as the childminder provides a satisfactory amount of play equipment that helps children begin to develop an awareness of diversity. Children behave well in response to encouragement and praise and they follow simple house rules. They begin to share and take turns and they develop an understanding of what is right and wrong as the childminder provides clear boundaries for acceptable behaviour. The childminder ensures she obtains information about the children's preferences and routines to allow her to provide continuity of care for the children. The relationships between the childminder and parents is satisfactory which helps to ensure that children's individual needs are catered for. However, some documentation to support the childminder's practice is not available for parents. For example, there is no information on complaints procedures for them to follow. The childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

is welcoming to parents and ensures that regular discussions take place with them to discuss their child's progress and development.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The organisation, maintenance and availability of records, policies and procedures is not effective at the current time following a move of premises, although children continue to be minded. The childminder does not have required records available for inspection, therefore fails to comply with some of the regulations of the national standards. No register is in place, therefore no records of children's times of arrival and departure are available for inspection. A record of children's details are available, and the childminder has a suitable understanding of how to deal with emergencies. Therefore, some action can be taken, although this does not include permission for medical advice or treatment to safeguard children in the event of an emergency. These issues mean that children's welfare, care and development are not sufficiently promoted. Overall children's needs are not met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was requested to ensure that the premises were maintained in a suitable state of cleanliness; that documents were available for inspection including training and insurance; ensure that smoke alarms are provided in working order and to build resources for equal opportunities. The new premises are in a suitably clean condition, a few more resources for equal opportunities have been provided for the children. The other recommendations have not been complied with and therefore carried through to this report.

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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 have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. 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

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - notice of action to improve. The registered person does not meet 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, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily available for inspection at all times • assess the risks to children in relation to fire safety and glass panels and take action to minimise these These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

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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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