Childminder in Barnsley

Inspection report for early years provision

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302673 Unique Reference Number 19 April 2006 Inspection date Angela Howard 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 1989. She lives with her partner and three step children aged 6, 4 and 2 years old. They live in Cudworth, a large suburb on the outskirts of Barnsley. The whole of the ground floor, plus toilet facilities on the first floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is no access to the garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. She currently has two children under 8 years old on roll. The childminder walks to take and collect children from the local school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminder's Association and the local childminders 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. Children stay healthy because they are adequately protected from illness and infection. They follow suitable hygiene procedures and are cared for in clean and generally well maintained premises. Children are encouraged to learn the importance of personal hygiene through suitable practice and daily routines. For example, they are reminded about the importance of washing hands before meals and after using the toilet. This results in children actively learning about the importance of personal hygiene.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures she is aware of any health or dietary needs and keeps appropriate records of any accidents or of any medication administered. However, the childminder does not have written consent from parents to obtain emergency treatment for the children in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well rested and alert and so enjoy their play. This is due to the childminder following children's individual eating and sleeping routines that have been agreed with parents. This ensures children thrive as their individual needs are met appropriately.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a well-balanced, healthy and nutritious range of snacks and meals in accordance with their parents' wishes. Home cooked meals, fresh fruit and dairy products are offered on a daily basis. This results in children being well nourished as they develop an understanding of the importance of healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

A variety of physical activities are offered on a daily basis, which contributes to children's overall physical well-being. For example, they walk to and from school daily, visit the local park for such activities as climbing and running and access ride on toys at the local toddler group.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in clean and generally well maintained premises. There is a fully enclosed outdoor play area, however, this is not a safe area for children to access. There is extensive building work taking place therefore children's safety is compromised. The home is secure and a number of positive steps have been taken to ensure children's safety. There are socket covers in place, low level cupboards are safe and low level glass is kite marked. However, young children are not prevented from accessing the stairs unsupervised. Although the childminder has completed a basic risk assessment of the premises, she has moved to new premises and not informed Ofsted. Therefore, she is in breach of regulations.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select resources from a satisfactory range of good quality toys which are age and developmentally appropriate. Equipment used by the children meets required safety standards and is checked on a regular basis to make sure they continue to be safe for children to use.

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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 Children are learning about how to keep themselves safe. For example, the childminder walks daily to and from school and raises children's awareness of road safety through appropriate practice, like ensuring young children are suitably restrained in pushchairs or holding hands with the childminder. Overall, fire procedures are appropriate to the setting. The fire blanket is appropriately sited and the childminder has a clear evacuation plan. However, this is not routinely practised with the children and there is no smoke alarm on the first floor. Therefore, children are not sufficiently protected in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has an acceptable knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and recognises some signs and symptoms of child abuse. Therefore, children remain safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children make their own choices about their play from a reasonable range of resources. They are encouraged to access resources themselves, so developing their sense of self-assurance. They play happily because they feel secure and settled in the childminder's care. Younger children engage in concentrated imaginative play in which they extend their language. Like when they talk on the play phone and repeat words when sharing books with the childminder. There are appropriate daily routines in place, which help children to feel secure and at ease in their surroundings. The flexible routine allows children to pursue their own interests so that they discover more about what they like and dislike.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children relate well to the childminder. They share a warm and caring relationship with each other and have formed good friendships. This is due to the childminder showing she values what each child has to offer, such as asking the children what they would like to do. The childminder actively involves herself in their play, like chatting on the play phone, reading books and cuddling the dolly. Children respond with delight and show excitement as she laughs and plays with them. They are learning appropriate social skills and enjoy being with, and talking to, adults and other children. This results in them being able to build meaningful relationships.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are very happy and content and are showing a strong sense of belonging. They are familiar with daily routines and have formed good relationships with each other, the childminder and her family. Positive relationships are fostered through the childminder providing opportunities for children to play together in a caring environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder treats children with equal concern and their individual needs are met generally well. This is due to her taking time to get to know the children and working with parents to ensure their daily routine is followed appropriately. The childminder recognises that children need a predictable environment with regular routines and familiar resources. This results in children being independent and feeling safe and secure, through which they develop self confidence, a belief in themselves and healthy self-esteem.

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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 Children's awareness of the local community is promoted appropriately through regular outings to local carer groups and local places of interest. They have equal access to all resources and are beginning to learn about the wider world through the use of books, small role play people and dolls that positively address diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn right from wrong in a warm and caring environment. They are given clear instruction and guidance and this results in them knowing what is expected of them most of the time. For example, they are given clear explanations when they are asked to conform or, in the case of younger children, distraction techniques are used effectively. However, this is not consistently applied, therefore, sometimes the behaviour of the children deteriorates as they are not sure about what is expected of them. For example, children receive a clear explanation about not pushing each other, when this happens again the childminder does not always reinforce the explanation again.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnerships with parents and carers are sound. This clearly contributes to the children's overall well-being. Ongoing verbal communication ensures that parents are kept up to date about their child's care. Due to this positive relationship children's needs are continually met and children remain settled in the childminder's care.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has an acceptable knowledge of the National Standards for childminders. However, she has failed to comply with the requirements set out in regulations to notify Ofsted of any significant changes. This compromises children's safety and well-being.

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Organisation

Children show a strong sense of belonging as they are at ease and relaxed in the childminders care. They are comfortable in the predictable environment and move around with confidence, making decisions about their own play, which results in developing their self-esteem. The childminder effectively organises her time, space and resources to support children's welfare, play and learning.

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Organisation

The childminder has a number of written policies which she shares with parents to keep them well-informed about her child care practice. This contributes to the continuity of care for the children. Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder review documentation relating to the recording of existing injuries and the consent to the administration of medication. The childminder now has in place systems to record any injuries a child may have when arriving in her care. She now obtains appropriate consent from parents prior to administering any medication. This results in children remaining safe and appropriately cared for.

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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

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received three complaints relating to Standard 1: suitable person and two relating to Standard 6: safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The two complaints relating to Standard 6: safety was in relation to transporting of children in a vehicle unrestrained and unsafe practice when transporting children in a pushchair. A complaint was received in May 2005 raising concerns about unsafe practice when children are transported in a pushchair. An unannounced visit was made to discuss the concerns and appropriate action agreed. The childminder submitted an action plan detailing how she would ensure children's safety when on outings. No further action was taken and the childminder remained qualified for registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

An anonymous complaint was received in June 2005 in relation to the childminder transporting children in a transit van unrestrained. The complaint was investigated by the Complaints, Investigation and Enforcement team within Ofsted. No action was required and the childminder remained qualified for registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The complaint relating to Standard 1 was originally investigated by an outside agency. We carried out an unannounced investigation on 16 November 2005. We took no action and the case was closed. 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: • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of relevant matters • assess the risks to children in relation to safety of the premises 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

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