Childminder in Knowsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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313068 Unique Reference Number 17 July 2006 Inspection date Chris Scully 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 was registered in 2000. She lives with her partner and adult son in Halewood. The playroom, lounge and ground floor bathroom are available to minded children. The rear garden is available for outdoor 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. She is currently minding 10 children aged between one and 10 years. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family has an iguana.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding 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 generally clean environment. Children are developing an understanding of good hygiene practices, as they know to wash their hands after going to the bathroom or before eating. Appropriate nappy changing procedures are in place, which minimise the risk of cross infection. The childminder is trained in first aid, which means children's accidents or incidents are dealt with appropriately. This is also supported by the verbal sick children policy. However, the childminder does not have consent for the seeking of any emergency medical advice or treatment for children, which hinders her ability to provide suitable care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a range of activities outdoors and have access to a wide section of wheeled resources, such as go-karts, bikes and cars. This enables the children to explore their larger physical skills. Children frequently visit the park with the childminder and are confident to use the apparatus situated here. Children are able to sleep or rest according to their needs. The childminder is aware of the children's individual routines and their comforters, such as 'blankey'.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with a range of meals and snacks according to the times of their attendance. Meals are a mixture of healthy options such as salads, cucumber and processed foods, which are high in fat and some in salt content. Children have regular opportunities to have fruit. The childminder encourages the children to help plan the following week’s snacks, which include melon and plums. This means children feel included, valued and are more likely to eat the fruit and to try new tastes. Children have access to a range of drinks in order to keep themselves refreshed.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children currently have the use of one room, the kitchen and outdoor area for play. The base room has a large amount of furniture, toys and resources in it, which significantly limits the children's movement around the room. Children are not always able to freely access the resources, as they are stored in large boxes on top of one another. This hinders the children's independence. Children have access to a wide range of outdoor resources and particularly enjoy playing in the sand pit. There are limited resources depicting diversity available to the children, which hampers their understanding of the wider world. They have access to a variety of role play equipment and enjoy creating meals for the childminder and visitors in the pretend kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Most risks have been identified and minimised. However, children's safety is compromised as there are hazardous materials within the children's reach in the bathroom and in some low-level units within the kitchen. Due to the design of the front door this remains key locked whilst the children are present as they are able to open this independently. Keys are stored appropriately in order for the childminder and children to leave the premises quickly in an emergency. Fire detection equipment is in place on all floors. All consents are in place to take children out in the car. Children learn to keep themselves safe outdoors through discussions with the childminder

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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 about road safety. For example, children understand they must walk by the pram and use the appropriate crossings to cross the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has some understanding of child protection issues. She has a copy of the booklet 'What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Summary'. However, she has stated that she has not looked at this in detail and does not have a clear understanding of the action to take if she had concerns about a child. There are no contact details in place for the Local Safeguarding Children's Boards. This hinders the childminder's ability to protect children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children appear happy and settled at the childminder's. This is supported by the good relationships the childminder builds with the children and enables them to feel safe and secure in her care. The childminder uses many terms of endearment with the children, which makes the children feel special and valued. Children are confident to request resources from the childminder, such as colouring pencils or crayons, and sit happily creating their picture. The childminder generally provides appropriate support to children. Children move between the playroom and outdoor areas, where they enjoy blowing bubbles and playing in the sand.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy role play scenarios and spend time in the play kitchen creating a variety of meals and drinks. Children are happy for the childminder and visitors to become involved in their play and to request specific drinks, such as a cup of tea. The children recognise a range of pretend food within the kitchen, for example, broccoli and green peppers. Children enjoy a range of trips, especially to the safari park. Children smile as they happily tell visitors about the baboons swinging on the car.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy a range of activities after school. All children enjoy baking, especially rice crispy cakes. They take part in a range of creative experiences, such as making pencil cases, decorating balls into many different faces and puzzles. Some children enjoy the challenge of board games and are in the process of learning the rules of Cluedo. Children are familiar with the daily routines and confidently question the childminder about why they have not gone to the shops today. The childminder provides a suitable explanation and informs the children they will be going shortly. This successfully fosters the children's curiosity and their self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs, circumstances and preferences are known and acted upon by the childminder. Children's details are in place and are supported by verbal communications with the parents with regards to their daily routines, likes and dislikes. Children are free to play with all the available resources. They learn about their local community as they go to and from school. However, children have limited opportunities to learn about the wider world. They have discussed the Chinese New Year due to the activities taking place in Liverpool; however, the childminder feels it is the parent’s responsibility to talk to children about different cultures

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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 and beliefs. Children have access to a limited range of resources depicting cultural diversity and disability, which hinders their ability to develop positive attitudes to others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are generally well behaved. This is supported by the effective use of house rules, which are created and displayed by the children. Older children are confident to provide reminders to others who are not complying with the rules. This successfully fosters their self-esteem and sense of belonging. Children respond well to the childminder's requests and any minor incidents are quickly resolved. Children learn to share and take turns through discussions and gentle reminders from the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder develops positive relationships with the parents which enable her to provide appropriate care for their children. The childminder provides flexible care for children and will often collect children or take them home to assist their parents. Daily discussions with the parents keep them up to date with their child's day and progress. Most consents are in place, which means children are cared for in line with their parent's wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has some understanding of the National Standards as most documentation is in place. The childminder does not have consent for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment for the children, which hinders her ability to provide appropriate care in an emergency. The accident record is incorrectly completed, as the childminder has recorded the injury as an existing injury and not one that has taken place with her. Not all entries within the medication record have been signed by the parents to acknowledge the entry. The childminder has not instigated a procedure for the investigation of complaints and has not compiled a complaints record. However, the childminder says she has discussed the recent concern with the parents.

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Organisation

All emergency contact details for the children are in place. All persons over the age of 16 years have been vetted and deemed suitable to be in the presence of children. The childminder has ensured she has an up to date first aid certificate in order to provide appropriate care to children. Children are well supported in their play activities and enjoy the company of the childminder. The childminder spends time talking, listening and interacting with the children and provides some interesting creative activities for them to take part in.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection three actions and 15 recommendations were made. All persons over the age of 16 years are now fully cleared. Some procedures are in place regarding child protection; however, the childminder remains unsure of the procedures to be followed if she had concerns about a child. This means children are not fully protected from harm. All records relating to the childminding activities are more accessible and are made available for inspection. The childminder has changed the design of the room used by children. However, this remains an issue due to the amount of resources placed here. Children still have problems accessing all

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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 of the resources due to the way they are organised. However, they are confident to ask the childminder for the ones they cannot reach. Water and sand play is available to children on a daily basis, weather permitting. Children have suitable opportunities to become involved in creative play and leaning experiences.

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Improvements since the last inspection

An emergency escape plan has been devised and is practised with the children. Consent is in place for taking children in a vehicle. Accident and medication records are in place, although, they are not always effectively maintained. Children have access to fresh drinking water to keep themselves refreshed and some healthy, nutritious snacks are provided. A fully stocked first aid box is in place. There remains limited opportunities for children to engage in activities that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder uses the National Child Minding Association documentation to secure information about the children's needs. Most consents are now in place with the exception of consent for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder has not completed a procedure to be followed if a complaint was made against any aspect of her practice. The childminder has

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Improvements since the last inspection

addressed some of the issues raised at the last inspection and in doing so has improved upon the children's heath, safety and well-being. However, there are a number of issues that remain outstanding.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received concerns relating to National Standard 6 Safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

An unannounced visit was carried out on 15 February 2006. Actions were raised on National Standard 6, Safety and National Standard 14, Documentation and were satisfactorily met by the registered provider.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider remains qualified for registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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: • revise the organisation of the resources and rooms used to ensure children can freely access their resources and can play in safety and comfort

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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 • improve your understanding of child protection issues and become familiar with the document 'What To Do If You Are Worried A Child Is Being Abused - Summary' in order to contact the appropriate person in social services or the police if concerned about a child • ensure all parental consents are in place, create a complaints procedure, ensure all records are accurately completed and all entries are signed by the parents • ensure children cannot gain access to hazardous materials within the bathroom and kitchen areas. 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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