Headlands School

Inspection report for early years provision

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126466 Unique Reference Number 20 November 2006 Inspection date Tracy Larnach 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 1993. She lives with her husband and adult son in Westgate, Kent. The ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed play area for children's 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 six children on a rota basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler groups.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a dog, three cats and two rabbits.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and disabilities.

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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. Children are cared for in a clean home. The childminder has a routine to ensure toys and equipment are clean and sanitary for the children's play. Children learn about hand washing during the daily routine. However, they are given inconsistent messages; for example, they are encouraged to wash their hands after messy play and before lunch but did not wash their hands prior to eating snack. There is liquid soap and paper towels so that children do not share towels to help prevent cross infection. In addition, the childminder does not care for sick children to help prevent the spread of germs. The childminder has a current first aid certificate and requests parental permission for emergency medical advice or treatment. This means she can appropriately care for children in an emergency. However, one child's permission remains unsigned which means the parents wishes are not clear in order to care for that child. Accident records are kept

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Helping children to be healthy

and signed by the parents which ensures they are informed of accidents. The childminder's procedures for administering medication and record keeping are unsatisfactory. Records of recent medication administered by the childminder remain unsigned by parents and non-prescribed medication has been administered in the past and no records kept.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy activities for their physical well-being; for example, outside play or a visit to the local park. The childminder has a purpose built play area especially designed for the children. She has a range of outdoor toys available to challenge them. In addition, children enjoy outings to local places of interest, toddler groups and indoor play areas. This gives them opportunities to use their large muscles. The childminder keeps spare boots and hats for the children so that they are able to go out in all weather; for example, the younger children walk to the local school with the childminder to pick the older children up. The childminder generally provides the food. She provides packed lunches and dinners are 'traditional' family meals; such as, shepherds pie or spaghetti bolognaise. Meals are accompanied with fresh vegetables or salad and children are served fruit to contribute to a balanced diet. However, snacks are generally biscuits which

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Helping children to be healthy

do not promote healthy eating habits. Children are provided with drinks throughout the day to ensure they remain hydrated. They do not have free access to water however, to enable them to choose to have a drink when they are feeling thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has undertaken informal risk assessments in her home; for example, she has a stairgate and cleaning products are stored in a locked cupboard. The premises are safe and secure for the children cared for and the childminder has a procedure to ensure all exits are locked to keep children safe from unwanted visitors. There are effective procedures for the safe arrival and collection of children. Children are learning about safety as the childminder talks to them about playing safely. In addition, children wear a yellow vest as they walk to the local school so they can be clearly seen. The childminder safeguards and promotes the children’s welfare. She is aware of most of the recommendations for laying babies down to sleep to keep them safe and she knows how to update her knowledge if she cares for a young baby in the future. She has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection to ensure children are safeguarded

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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 in her care. However, she does not kept a record of existing injuries to show any patterns which may lead to concerns. There is an evacuation plan, smoke alarms and a fire blanket to contribute to children’s safety should there be fire. This has not been practised with the children to ensure they are familiar with the procedure. The childminder has parental permission for transporting children in a vehicle or taking them on outings. She takes the children's details with her when they leave her home so that parents can be reached in an emergency.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. Children are content with the childminder. Their social development is fostered as they regularly go to groups, soft play areas, parks and the local beaches and mix with other children. Children enjoy stories and snuggle up with the childminder as they read books and look at the pictures together. The childminder encourages the children's language development as they talk about the stories they read. Children's mathematical thinking is promoted as the childminder uses language such as big and small as they play; for example, as they played with the play dough. However, many activities are adult led; for example, young children sit at the table for long periods of time completing adult directed activities, such as colouring in and gluing. They are told to colour in a specific way or to glue objects in certain places. This stifles their creativity. In addition, their self esteem is not fostered; for example, when a picture is taken away as they

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

have 'scribbled' over the original design. Children are learning to comply rather than develop their creativity through exploration. The childminder has attended the Birth to three matters training and says she does separate things with the younger children. However, her emphasis is on teaching them to do what the other children can do which is not developmentally appropriate. Older children who come after school, spend time doing their homework, arts and crafts and activities such as 'competitions' with the 'Fun Blox'. Occasionally they watch television after their busy day at school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder has a settling in procedure so that children settle in her care. Children enjoy the childminder's company and they play together. There is a space to put their bags, coats and shoes so they gain a sense of belonging. However, the childminder does not use enough positive reinforcement to encourage appropriate behaviour. Time out is used in a way that does not promote the children's self esteem or teach them self discipline. The children are learning to accept rather than respect the rules. Children learn about local the community as they go on outings to the bowling alley and local places of interest such as Farming World. Resources reflect positive images of different cultures to help children develop knowledge and understanding of the world; for example, play figures, dolls and books. The childminder promotes the children's acceptance of differences by being a role model and through discussions with

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's record forms detail any special requirements to enable the childminder to cater for their individual needs. The childminder has experience of caring for children with special needs and her home is open to all children providing she can meet their needs. The childminder has

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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 developed close relationships with the parents. There are no written policies to share with parents so the childminder informs them of her procedures verbally. She finds out about the children's routines through discussion to help her provide continuity of care. Information is shared with parents daily. Parents' written permissions have been sought; however, one child's permissions have not been signed. The childminder has received the amendment to the standards but has not reviewed it; consequently, she has not updated her complaints procedures or developed a log to reflect the changes in legislation.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children feel comfortable and are at home with childminder. She uses the kitchen diner and living room downstairs for children's play. The childminder organises the toys early in the morning for the day. However, there are insufficient opportunities for children to initiate their own play and be creative with materials and media. The weekly routine includes regular outings as well as time to play in the childminder's home. Most of the required documentation for the safe and effective management of the setting and for the welfare and care of children is maintained but not always easily assessable. The daily attendance is maintained in three different ways and contains some gaps. All three must be viewed to ascertain that numbers are complied with. The certificate of registration is displayed so that the parents are aware of the childminder's conditions of numbers. The childminder and her husband have had checks through the Local

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Organisation

Authority; however, the childminder has not ensured that effective procedures are in place for checking that all people over 16, living on the premises, are suitable. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection there were six recommendations made. These were to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues; ensure clear daily records of attendance are completed; make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint; obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children; record information about children's individual needs and significant events that occur during childminding and to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made progress in addressing some of the recommendations raised to improve outcomes for children. However, some areas have not been addressed adequately resulting in actions for this inspection. The childminder has developed her knowledge and understanding of child protection. She is aware of what she must do if she has concerns to protect the children in her care. She records the children's attendance to show that she is complying with her conditions of registration. She has not developed a written complaints procedure or kept up to date with current legislation regarding keeping a complaints log. Therefore, this becomes an action of this inspection. Medication procedures are unclear and do not protect children, this too, becomes an action of this inspection. The childminder keeps child information forms for the health and welfare of the children. These includes written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment; however, she does

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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 not record significant events for example; existing injuries, to contribute to safeguarding children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection 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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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: • develop knowledge and understanding of the regulation pertaining to the administration of medication and ensure that medication records are maintained correctly • provide a suitable range of activities for children, which foster their creativity, are appropriate for their stage of development and are based on their individual needs • develop awareness and understanding of effective ways to manage children’s behaviour, taking into account their age and stage of development • keep a record of complaints relating to the national standards and any action taken • ensure that all persons over the age of 16 years living or regularly present in the household when children are being minded undergo checks including a criminal records check. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date

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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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