Childminder in Bury

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

501962 Unique Reference Number 15 June 2006 Inspection date (Kate) Kathryn, Jane Ryder Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 1999. She lives with her partner and two children aged six and 12 years. The house is situated in a quiet cul de sac in an area of Radcliffe. The lounge, kitchen/dining room and the conservatory on the ground floor are used for childminding and the first floor bathroom facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder cares for a maximum of five children under eight years of age, and currently there are five children on roll who attend various days and for varied hours.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean, well maintained environment. Children's individual health issues are noted along with their emergency contact details. However, parental written consent to give medication is not obtained and records of administration are not kept. These are breaches of regulations. Hygiene issues related to nappy changing procedures are inconsistent. For example, nappies are not always disposed of immediately. This comprises children's health.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children develop healthy lifestyles as they spend time outdoors in the fresh air each day. They walk to and from the local primary school and have regular outings to the local park.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Healthy eating is generally well promoted. Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks such as pasta dishes, jacket potatoes, cheese whorls and fresh fruit. They are encouraged to drink often during the day to ensure that they do not become dehydrated. Children can easily reach their own cups, prompting them to recognise when they are thirsty and develop self-care skills.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a home environment which is generally well organised to meet their care needs. There is a range of furniture and equipment available to allow children to play, rest and eat in comfort. A wide range of resources are available to meet the needs of the children being cared for. Most of the toys are easily accessible and allow children to make decisions about what they want to play with.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Generally the childminder has taken appropriate measures to keep children safe. For example, she has provided fireguards and safety gates. The garden is securely fenced and she has appropriate fire safety equipment in place. However, a section of chicken wire in the garden compromises children's safety. Children are currently being accompanied by the childminder to the bathroom to protect them from accessing the exposed water pipes and earth wire due to the temporary removal of the bath panel. Children learn to stay safe whilst outdoors through discussions about the highway code and practising walking on the side of the pavement away from the traffic.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Through attending child protection training, the childminder has developed a level of knowledge that enables her to protect children and keep them safe. She has an understanding about her role in the procedures and has all the required guidance in place.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder establishes warm, caring relationships with the children. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. She values children and helps them to feel good about

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 themselves by providing positive support and encouragement. Children actively seek cuddles and kisses and frequently go to the childminder for physical reassurance.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are beginning to move around the home confidently, they freely access their own resources and make some decisions about what they want to play with. They explore toys with interest and particularly enjoy looking at books with the childminder which encourages them to become skilful communicators.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder supports children with their homework and school projects. She encourages them to find out information from the computer and has assisted a child with learning basic French words.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder works in partnership with parents to meet children's individual needs. She finds out about home routines during introductory visits and ensures that their normal daily routines are met. All children are encouraged to access the toys but there are no play materials which reflect diversity and there are no opportunities provided which explore other peoples customs, similarities and differences. The childminder's lack of knowledge and understanding about diversity issues hinders children's awareness of the wider world.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Strategies to manage children's behaviour generally take into account their level of understanding and maturity. However, on rare occasions the childminder has adopted the method of identifying a naughty stair for a short period of time out for a child under two years. The childminder talks to the children and explains her expectations of good behaviour. This helps children to develop a clear understanding about right and wrong.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the partnership that the childminder has developed with parents. Children settle well because she works with parents to ensure that she has knowledge about their home routines and preferences. She continues to share information through daily chats, making sure that parents receive information, in an informal way.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has attended child protection training since her last inspection which enables her to protect children well. However, her first aid certificate has lapsed, compromising children's health and well-being and this is a breach of regulations. She has a clear understanding of the importance of reporting any changes or serious events and has notified Ofsted regarding the recent changes made to her home.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder organises her space and resources well. Children are able to move around the home with a sense of ease and confidence. They independently access the toys and make choices about their play.

p.4

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Generally all required documentation is in place, although the certificate of registration is not displayed. Children's written records are kept and contain relevant detail about the welfare of the children. A list of children's expected days of attendance is kept but the daily record of attendance is not kept up to date and this is a breach of regulations.

p.4

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to: ensure parents signed the accident and medication records; provide smoke alarms to every level of the home; make the garden fence safe and secure; develop knowledge and understanding in relation to child protection and equal opportunities. Since the inspection parents sign the accident record, ensuring they are kept informed about their children's welfare. Medication records still require improvement to ensure children's welfare is protected. Children are now well protected by two working smoke alarms which provide an early warning system in the event of a fire. The garden fence has been partially renewed and as a consequence children are kept safe. The childminder has attended child protection training and has sufficient knowledge to protect children from harm. Her awareness about equal opportunity issues remains outstanding and this limits

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

children's awareness about the wider world.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since registration. 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.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.6