Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY235350 Unique Reference Number 14 June 2006 Inspection date Cilla Burdis 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 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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two children, aged eight and 13 years. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding plus her younger daughter's bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children, aged under eight years, on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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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. The childminder involves the children in a wide range of physical activities that promote good health. She provides plenty of floor space for babies to develop their mobility skills. She takes them to the local Tumble Tots sessions where they can practise climbing, riding and balancing skills. The older children have access to a good range of resources including, swings, slides, trampoline, wheeled toys, hoops and balls. Children are taken on regular outings to the parks, beach and Mr Twisters to provide more variety in their physical activities. Children can rest and sleep in accordance with their individual needs. The childminder follows parental guidance with regard to babies' sleeping patterns and preferences. The older children can rest or relax on the comfortable seating around the home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. The childminder promotes good hygiene practice. Care routines are followed to develop children's understanding, such as washing hands before eating. Children learn that they need to do this to clean germs from their hands before touching food. The childminder's sickness policy helps to protect children from illness and infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages the children to eat healthy foods. A sample menu illustrates to parents the types of meals provided. Children are encouraged to eat fresh fruit at snack times. Meals are varied and nutritious. The childminder ensures children can access a drink at any time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has all the documents she needs to promote children's health, however, they are not maintained appropriately and relevant parental consents have not been obtained. She does not have parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment, which compromises children's health. The childminder has administered medication without obtaining written parental consent. Parental consent was obtained verbally, before the medication was administered to the child, but a record of the administration has not been kept. This compromises children's health and is a breach of the regulations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of the processes needed to keep children safe. Space is organised well to meet the needs of the children attending to enable them to play safely and independently. Most risks to children's safety have been reduced, however, there are issues to address to ensure risks to children's safety are minimised sufficiently. Potentially hazardous items in the bathroom and kitchen are not made inaccessible to children, the storage hut has a broken plastic window with sharp edges and some blind cords are at a low level. When children play in the garden, the childminder supervises closely to ensure they are safe when playing on the equipment. Children's safety, however, is compromised by allowing them to play, unsupervised, on the grassed area in the street, at the front of her house. Children learn about keeping themselves safe by sensitive reminders and explanations.

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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 When taking children on outings, the childminder uses age appropriate car seats to transport children in her car and, if using a buggy, she makes sure children are strapped in securely. The older children walk close by her. Road safety and other safety issues are discussed with children in order to raise their awareness with regard to protecting themselves.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good range of equipment, which is well maintained. A variety of age appropriate resources are set out to enable the children to self select. The childminder provides additional activities such as cutting, painting and drawing. To protect the safety of the younger children, the childminder monitors the resources used by the older children to make sure they do not pose a risk to the younger children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a good understanding of her role in safeguarding children's welfare. She has recently completed child protection training and knows the procedure to follow if she has concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are happy and have settled well. The childminder obtains information about children's individual care needs to guide her in meeting their needs. She is supportive and responsive to the children in order to develop good levels of confidence and self-esteem. She knows the children well and can interpret babies' signals, such as when they are getting tired. As a result, she responds appropriately before they become upset.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a range of play opportunities for the children in accordance with their age and stage of development. The children enjoy a good range of outdoor activities including skating, riding bikes, walking and visiting local play areas. The childminder does not, however, always keep children under her direct supervision when they play outside. When playing indoors, they like to be creative by drawing, making collages and baking. They also enjoy word games, dancing and imaginary play. Children are able to make choices and play independently with resources that are set out for them. They also make suggestions for activities they would like to do.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a sound awareness of equal opportunities. She promotes equality and raises children's awareness by the provision of toys and resources that reflect positive images of diversity. Any issues raised by the children are discussed in a sensitive way. Anti-discriminatory practice is promoted well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is good. Age appropriate strategies are used to develop children's understanding of acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. The childminder uses praise and encouragement to develop children's self-esteem. Children are helped to consider the needs and feelings of others by sharing, taking turns and developing good manners.

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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 The childminder values effective partnerships with parents. Information about children's care needs is obtained prior to the commencement of the placement. Records of children's needs are maintained, however, all parents have not signed their child's form to confirm the information held is correct. Also, the childminder has not obtained written consent from parents to transport children in a vehicle and she has not informed parents of the complaints procedure. This compromises children's health and safety.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are happy and have settled well with the childminder. They play independently and make choices, in an environment that is organised effectively to meet their needs. Information about her practice is shared verbally with parents and she makes sure they are kept informed about their children's care and activities. This helps to establish continuity in children's care between the childminding environment and the children's home. There is a good balance of indoor and outdoor play to extend children's learning and to help them develop new skills. A flexible routine is followed, which is based around the school day and is adapted to meet the children's needs.

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Organisation

Documentation is stored securely. However, all records are not complete and up to date. This compromises the safety and welfare of the children.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to ensure a daily record of attendance is completed and up to date, to ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times, to ensure that children can reach their toys and equipment easily, to ensure the hearth is inaccessible to all minded children, to ensure that dangerous substances are stored safely out of the reach of children and to request written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has not addressed all of the recommendations raised. A daily register is completed and up to date and all records relating to childminding activities are stored together in a file. They are readily accessible at all times, which helps safeguard children's welfare. The childminder sets out toys and equipment for the children so that they can have easy access to them. Large cushions are used to cover the hearth to make it inaccessible to all children. Although the childminder has fitted child safety locks to kitchen cupboards, to store dangerous substances in them, the locks have broken so children's access is not restricted effectively. Therefore, this recommendation has been raised again in order to safeguard the children. The childminder has not requested written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. This compromises children's health and has, therefore, been raised again

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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 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 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): • ensure written parental consent is obtained prior to the administration of medication and a record kept • request written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure all risks to children's safety are minimised effectively • request written permission from parents to transport children in a vehicle • inform parents of the complaints procedure.

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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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