Cartmel Priory CofE School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

112437 Unique Reference Number 05 October 2006 Inspection date Michelle Julie Gutcher 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 - enforcement action. 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 was registered in 1990. She lives with her family in a house in Farnborough. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. She is registered to care for six children under the age of eight years. There are currently five children on roll.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Local parks, shops and schools are within easy walking distance. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group. The family have goldfish and a tortoise.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children begin to learn the importance of personal hygiene. They know they need to dry their hands on their own personal towel, which helps to prevent cross infection. However, children

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 are not sufficiently protected from illness and infection because the childminder does not use effective strategies to prevent the spread of infection. Young children’s faces and hands are not cleaned after meal times. Baby wipes which have been used for nose wiping and soiled nappies are left on the furniture where children can handle them. Dummies and feeding bottles with unprotected teats are left on the floor. Children independently access the kitchen which is cluttered and has unwashed dishes on the work surfaces.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Children are not fully protected in the event of sickness or an accident. The childminder obtains prior written parental consent to administer medication, but does not clarify why medication has been administered. She does not hold a current first aid certificate. She keeps a record of accidents to children, but does not keep full details of the injury. The childminder has not notified Ofsted of a serious injury to a child in her care which resulted in hospital treatment, and this is a breach of regulation. She does not record existing injuries and does not consider the need to do this.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder prepares foods provided by parents of young children. This ensures parents are aware of what foods have been introduced to their child as part of weaning. The childminder currently provides meals and snacks for the older children, encouraging them to develop positive eating habits. Dietary needs are discussed with the parents. Children do not sit at the dining table for meals, they either sit on the floor or sit on the childminder's lap and are fed their foods by the minder. Drinks are available for the children. The childminder monitors their intake of fluids and encourages them to drink plenty to avoid them becoming thirsty.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to develop their physical skills to enhance their overall well being, as the childminder takes them for daily walks to local parks and on school and nursery runs. They enjoy running around and releasing their energy.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children’s needs are not met when they sleep and at meal times, because the childminder does not have sufficient equipment. Young children sleep in the childminder’s arms or in an inflatable play ring in the middle of the play space, which means that they do not always have plentiful rest to promote their healthy growth and development. Older children sit on a mat on the floor and eat sandwiches at meal times, and babies are spoon fed whilst they sit on the childminder’s lap.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are at risk because the childminder frequently leaves them alone in the house whilst she gets resources from the garage. She has not carried out a thorough risk assessment of the premises and children play in areas that are unsafe. Children play in the garden where there are hazards such as a broken climbing frame. The slide is left on uneven ground and the spinning see saw is not fixed to the ground. Children are not protected when they play outside. The childminder fails to protect children from risks as the home is disorganised. Babies and young children are not protected from hazards such as the open access kitchen, very small and detachable tiny parts of toys, un-swept flooring, accessible electrical wires, unprotected glass, inappropriately stored toys and general disorganisation of home. Children are not supervised when accessing the upstairs of the property to go to the toilet. Their safety is compromised as

p.3

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 risks such as razors are left on shelves in the bathroom and windows that can be opened are accessible to children.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are not fully protected in the event of a fire. Smoke alarms are maintained in working order. However, numerous items left on the floor prevent safe evacuation from the property in the event of a fire and the fire blanket is not readily accessible.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes some precautions within the home to protect children. She has made the stairs inaccessible to minded children and the plug sockets have been made safe. Children learn about road safety when she takes them on outings.

p.4

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has some basic knowledge of child protection issues. She is aware of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children appear happy and settled in the care of the childminder. They enjoy coming to the setting. They are sufficiently confident and self assured to work and play independently. The childminder is gentle and caring towards the children and generally offers attention to help them to feel confident. Children respond to her verbal interaction and particularly enjoy it at times when she sits on the floor with them engaging in their play. Young babies benefit from receiving cuddles with the childminder. Older children confidently talk about their morning at school with her. The childminder extends conversations by asking the children further about their experiences and talks with them about who they play with in the playground at school.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to activities which stimulate and encourage their development. They are able to make choices and decisions about play by helping themselves to toys from the shelves, toy boxes and provision left available on the floor. However, children are not fully supervised when selecting the toys of their choice and play with toys that are not suitable for their age and stage of development, young children are at risk of putting tiny parts of toys in their mouths and choking. Children show concentration and play purposefully. They enjoy sorting the farm animals and create a farm using the wooden building bricks. The childminder does not use her time with the children effectively. She allows the young babies to sleep in her arms and this restricts her from physically interacting with the children who are awake and are actively playing.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

There are some opportunities for children to undertake outings. Children visit the local parent and toddler group, parks and go for walks. This encourages children to broaden their experiences and learn about the world in which we live.

p.4

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

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder is caring towards the children and generally offers some attention to help them feel confident. They learn about diversity through a selection of resources and through casual conversation with the childminder.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual care needs are discussed and verbally agreed with parents. Written permission has been given by the parents to take the children on outings, seek emergency treatment and to use public transport. This helps to promote partnership with parents.

p.5

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder uses a calm and positive approach when dealing with children's behaviour. Children are given some praise, although at times there is limited interaction between the childminder and children. Children understand the childminder's expectations and respond positively to her.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The premises are spacious but are not organised effectively. Children are not able to play safely because some areas are cluttered and there are safety hazards both inside and outside the home. Children are left alone in the house whilst the childminder gets resources from the garage. The childminder does not take positive steps to fully promote the children's safety as she fails to ensure proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents. Her first aid certificate has expired and she has not arranged to update her training. Her accident records lack sufficient detail and she has not notified Ofsted of significant accidents to children, which is a breach of regulation. As a result, children are at risk in the event of an accident.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has poor hygiene procedures and does not take adequate steps to promote the good health of children and to prevent the spread of infection.

p.5

Organisation

Children are not safeguarded because all the required documentation is not in place. The times of children’s attendance is not recorded in the daily register, which is a breach of regulation. The childminder is not confident in her knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and the addendum in October 2005. She has failed to fully address the recommendations raised at the previous inspection and has not adhered to actions following a complaint.

p.5

Organisation

As a result, the childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection five recommendations were raised. These related to the organisation of play space, access and cleanliness of toys, the recording of accidents, medication and incidents and the complaints procedure. The childminder has addressed some issues, although some areas remain unaddressed and are therefore weaknesses in the provision.

p.5

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 Some of the issues relating to the organisation of the provision have been addressed since the last inspection. Toys are appropriately kept clean and broken toys have been replaced. This ensures that the children play without harming themselves from broken parts of toys and are not at risk of cross infection or injuring themselves. The childminder has not carried out a risk assessment on the premises. As a result of this, insufficient precautions are taken to ensure that children can play in all areas of the home fully supervised and access toys safely in a well organised space, which compromises children's safety.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Regulatory documentation is not appropriately maintained. A secure and accurate record of children's accidents is not in place. The childminder has not considered recording existing injuries. An incident record is maintained, however Ofsted is not notified of this recorded information.

p.6

Improvements since the last inspection

Parents have been notified of the complaints procedure and are aware of what to do if they have a complaint to make about the child care offered by the childminder.

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

On 10 May 2006 concerns were raised that the provider was caring for more children than she is registered for and about the supervision of children in her care. These concerns relate to National Standards 1: Suitable person, 2: Organisation and 6: Safety. Ofsted asked the provider to conduct an investigation and report back. A response was received on 22 May 2006. As a result of this response, Ofsted conducted a visit to the provider on 8 June 2006 and found that she had operated in breach of her conditions of registration and had failed to maintain direct supervision of minded children at all times. The provider was issued with a warning letter for the breach of conditions of registration and an action was set under National Standard 6 asking her to provide an action plan to show how the safety and security of all children will be maintained at all times, in particular when taking and collecting children to and from nursery

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

groups and when on outings. A response to this action was received on 21 June 2006 confirming that children would be kept under direct supervision at all times. The provider remained qualified for registration. Following the Ofsted visit two additional actions were issued unrelated to the original concerns raised. Under National Standard 1 the provider was asked to develop greater knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and guidance and all subsequent revisions (September 2003 and October 2005) to ensure she is fully aware of her responsibilities. Under National Standard 14 she was asked to ensure all required documentation relating to childminding is complete and up to date and that all records are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times. The provider's response received on 21 June 2006 indicated that these actions had been met. However, at the time of the inspection it was

p.6

Complaints since the last inspection

found that these actions had not been satisfactorily addressed.

p.6

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

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.7

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are inadequate - enforcement action. The registered person does not meet the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.7

The quality and standards of the care

Ofsted is taking enforcement action to safeguard the welfare of children.

p.7

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

p.7

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.7