Setting

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy the warm and positive relationships with the childminder, who offers them appropriate support during their activities encouraging them to develop their skills. Children busy themselves choosing activities that interest them, such as sorting out and organising the furniture in the doll’s house and using leaves previously collected in their art work. Children also help the childminder when shopping and have their ‘own pennies’ to pay for their shopping. This helps to promote mathematical learning in a practical and meaningful way.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Appropriate support and encouragement helps children to develop their levels of confidence and self-esteem, to learn what they can do and to know when to ask for help. The childminder joins in the children's play when appropriate, and promotes children's speech and language as she talks to them about what they are playing with. Children enjoy opportunities for large physical play. They play in the garden and visit the park where they make a camp and have picnics.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder is aware of the 'Birth to three' matters framework, but does not use this to underpin the care of these younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Parents have not provided the childminder with written permission to transport their children in her car or for their children to take part in some activities, such as using the large swimming pool which is in the garden during the summer months. This does not fully inform parents about the care or activities provided. Basic agreements are in place for the application of sun-cream, but this is not sufficient in detail and the childminder states that if a parent does not send any for their child she would use another child's. This does not take into account children’s and parents needs or wishes.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has not updated her knowledge in line with the regulations relating to the way in which complaints are dealt with. She does not have procedures in place to record any complaints made or an understanding of what this process entails. As a result parents are not kept informed and up-to-date with the service offered. Contracts and records relating to children are maintained, but only basic information is recorded about the child which is not sufficient to offer knowledgeable, appropriate care to the children. For example, their culture, religion or their individual likes and dislikes are not recorded. Information is shared at the beginning and end of the day to keep parents informed of what their children have been doing during their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Resources and activities which reflect our diverse society are limited, but the childminder is knowledgeable on the subject and is able to help children gain a basic understanding of the wider world. Children are cared for in an environment where all children are treated with equal concern and are valued as individuals. Appropriate arrangements are in place for new parents and children, which help them to settle and become familiar with the childminder and her home.

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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 behave well and are mostly appropriately supported by the childminder. However, she talks about the use of ‘a naughty step’ which is not good practice and does not support children’s understanding of the behaviour that is wrong or promote their self-esteem. Children are encouraged to tidy away their toys so that they begin to develop respect for property and are encouraged to say 'please' and 'thank you'.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children's needs are not sufficiently promoted because some aspects of the children’s organisation does not support and underpin the care offered. The childminder does not have the National Standards resulting in two of the other outcomes for children not being met. She has not renewed her first aid certificate, is not fully aware of the required procedures for administering medication and is not familiar or have procedures in place relating to the way complaints are dealt with. All of these directly impact on the care of the children and the partnership she has with parents.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has completed training in child protection and food hygiene has booked a place to renew her first aid training, which shows a commitment to ensure her practice develops. Children benefit from the organisation of time, space and resources, which contributes to their independence as they make choices in their play.

p.5

Organisation

Well-established routines and long-term care arrangements ensure children feel a sense of belonging and are settled and secure. Most documentation is in place and reviewed but the documents used to record information are basic and not sufficient in detail.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, children's needs are not being met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to, improve her knowledge of child protection issues. The childminder has attended training on this subject and obtained all necessary guidelines. As a result she is now confident that she knows what to do if she had any concerns regarding a child in her care. A theoretical fire plan is place but this is still not been practised with the children. This does not help to enable them to keep themselves safe in the event of a fire. The childminder has obtained permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and parents now sign the accident or incident book. Overall, progress has been made in most of these areas helping to promote the outcomes for children.

p.5

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.

p.5

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: • obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children. • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • obtain, and refer to, the National Standards for childminding, the revision and the latest addendum. • keep a record of complaints relating to the National Standards and any action taken • obtain written permission from parents before transporting children in the car, obtain written agreements from parents relating to the application of sun-cream and activities such as the use of the swimming pool • devise and implement a policy about the exclusion of children who are ill or infectious and make sure parents are made aware of it. 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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