Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY217997 Unique Reference Number 06 September 2006 Inspection date Glenda Pownall 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 registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children, who are aged seven and 12 years, in Slough, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five part-time and one child full-time after school and during the holidays. She makes use of local facilities such as parks and toddler groups.

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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 inadequate. The childminder has sound procedures in place to record the non-prescribed medication she administers to children. However, she does not obtain parents prior written consent to administer prescribed medication. This is a breach of regulation. She does not always keep a record of the name of the medicine administered. For example, she records a prescribed medication as cough mixture. This puts children’s health at risk. The childminder does not request prior written consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. This does not promote children’s health.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder encourages children to develop effective personal hygiene routines by encouraging them to wash their hands after playing outside, before eating food and after visiting the toilet. Children have their dietary needs met because the childminder works closely with parents discussing children’s individual requirements and parents’ wishes with regard to food. Children have a packed lunch provided by their parents, which the childminder stores appropriately in the fridge. The childminder provides other meals and snacks for children, which include healthy options, such as fresh fruit and vegetables. Children develop an understanding of the importance of frequent drinks as part of a healthy lifestyle because the childminder regularly asks children if they would like a drink and also provides drinks at the children’s request.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children undertake physical exercise on a daily basis. They visit local parks where they ride bicycles and play games, such as sack and bean bag races. They play on the green to the side of the house, visit a soft play centre and occasionally walk to and from school. This promotes a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The childminder knows the signs and symptoms of abuse but does not know the procedure to follow if concerned a child is at risk from abuse. She does not have the ‘What to do if you’re worried a child is being abused’ publication or the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures to base her own policy on. She does not know who to report any concerns to or have any local contact numbers. This does not ensure children are protected whilst in the childminder’s care.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of how to provide children with a safe environment to play in. For example, she closely supervises children by staying with them whilst they play on the green outside the house. She has safety measures in place, such as stair gates and cupboard locks. Children develop understanding of road safety by the effective procedures put in place by the childminder. For example, young children are strapped into the buggy while older children hold hands, walk away from the kerb and practise stopping at the kerb. The childminder has an emergency evacuation procedure in place but has not discussed or practised

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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 this with children. The fire blanket is not correctly located or easily accessible in the event of an emergency as it is on top of a high cupboard. This does not promote the safety of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a clean and well maintained environment where they have sufficient room to play safely and freely. They have access to an adequate range of resources, which the childminder organises effectively to ensure they are suitable for the children’s age and stage of development. Children are able to make some decisions about what they want to play with as resources are stored in an accessible cupboard in the room.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are secure in the childminder’s home. They move confidently around indoors manoeuvring sit and ride toys around the living room and opening cupboard doors to find further resources. Children choose which picture they would like to colour in from a selection provided by the childminder. They understand to wait for the picture to be printed from the computer as the childminder gives a clear explanation of the process. She offers children the choice of using crayons or pencils and they enjoy colouring the pictures in. Children participate in a variety of activities outside of the home as the childminder plans daily outings most mornings, such as visits to Windsor, a soft play centre and toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children approach the childminder readily indicating trusting relationships. The childminder responds positively to children’s request to revisit activities. For example, a child asks to play the card game that had been played the day before. The child begins to play cards with the childminder but she becomes distracted by another child and he loses interest. However, the child finds a play barbeque set from the cupboard and enjoys ‘cooking’ food, turning the dials to make the food sizzle. A young child finds a ball and shows pleasure in repeatedly rolling the ball around the room.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children access a small range of resources reflecting the diverse society in which they live. However, they learn about the local community through regular outings. The childminder treats all children with equal concern according to their individual needs. For example, she reads a book about starting nursery, explaining what will happen to reassure a child due to start nursery. This promotes self-assurance.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has effective strategies in place to promote good behaviour, such as explanation, distraction and time out. As a result children behave well. The childminder forms positive relationships with parents. She verbally exchanges information with parents each day to inform them of their child’s daily routines and the activities they participate in. This supports continuity of care for children. However, the childminder does not have a complaints procedure and does not provide parents with the contact number of the regulator. This does not promote children’s welfare.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are settled in the childminder’s care because she spends much of her time involved in their play. The childminder has a sound understanding of how to protect children from people who are not vetted. However, she does not have a copy of the National Standards and other relevant publications. As a result, she does not have a clear understanding of her responsibilities as a childminder. For example, she does not have an effective child protection policy in place. She has not informed Ofsted of the building work being carried out at the premises. This is a breach of regulation.

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Organisation

The childminder does not maintain all the required documentation for the efficient, safe management of the provision. For example, she does not obtain all the mandatory parental consents to promote children’s health and the daily register does not accurately record the hours children attend. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection three actions were raised. The provider was asked to obtain consent from parents to seek emergency medical attention and to administer medication to children. She was also asked to keep a record of signed consent forms and details of the children’s General Practitioner (GP). The childminder now requests details of children’s GP but does not request permission to seek emergency treatment. She does not always request prior consent to administer medication. This does not promote children’s health.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The provider was also asked to have regard to a number of recommendations. These were to improve her knowledge of the National Standards, make the complaints procedure available to parents and obtain written permission to take children on outings and in a car. She was also asked to provide children with a range of resources that promotes equality of opportunity.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children access an adequate range of resources reflecting equal opportunities and the written consents from parents are in place. The childminder is not secure in her knowledge of the requirements of regulation and does not have a complaints procedure in place. This does not promote the well-being of children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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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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

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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 including notifying Ofsted of relevant matters • implement a child protection procedure and ensure it complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) • obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children. 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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