Childminder in Wirral

Inspection report for early years provision

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306175 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2006 Inspection date Jean Evelyn Thomas 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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and ten in Bebington in Wirral. The designated playroom, rear lounge and hallway are used for childminding. The toilet facilities are situated on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five all day, and three children over five before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler groups and park. The family has a dog.

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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 satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable setting. Children are learning simple health and hygiene practices because they clean their hands using wipes before eating and follow the basic hand washing procedure after toileting. The childminder provides individual towels for the children to help prevent the spread of infection. The children are protected from the risk of food contamination because the childminder has recently completed food hygiene and handling training to ensure appropriate procedures are in place. The sick child policy is implemented if children are unwell, the children are made comfortable and parents are contacted. The policy is shared with parents before the arrangement commences. The list of communicable illnesses is available for reference and the childminder is aware of the procedure to follow if children contract one of these illnesses, to safeguard all the children in her care from infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy and balanced diet. Vegetables and fruit are incorporated into the children's daily diet. They enjoy a mid morning snack consisting of banana and cheese. Children easily access their drinks and babies indicate to the childminder when they are thirsty. Children are learning to respond to their bodily needs. The childminder is aware of children's individual dietary requirements and ensures these are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children participate in activities that promote a healthy life style, such as having daily fresh air and exercise. They are taken to parks and open spaces where they can run freely and use larger apparatus to gain control of their bodies. Children walk to and from school. They regularly play in the garden. The childminder helps babies' progress to the next stage of development through use of the domestic furniture to help pull themselves up and specifically designed baby toys. There is clear floor space where babies can roll and crawl.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment. Their art work is displayed on the playroom walls and toys are visible on entry. There are areas where children can rest, relax or pursue more robust activities. The playroom is the main care area and activities extend into the hall way. The children took the truck on a long journey around the playroom and into the hall and used the easel and chalk board set up in this area.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a wide range of age appropriate toys and equipment. They select and enjoy what they want to play with, as resources are stored at low level. The childminder regularly checks toys and equipment to ensure that they are safe and in good condition. Equipment is available to meet the needs of the younger children, such as high chairs and a travel cot

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The risk assessment does not ensure a safe setting for children. Safety equipment is used to minimise hazards including safety gates, socket covers, smoke detectors and an approved fire blanket in the kitchen. However, children have access to a computer lead, the stairs when playing in the hall and water which has collected in the play trough in the garden. The fireguard

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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 is not secured to the wall and can be pulled over. The evacuation drill is practised with the children to help them become familiar with the procedure. However, children can easily reach the key for the locked front door which would affect the effectiveness of the evacuation procedure if moved from position. Children are kept safe on outings, for example, they are made aware of basic road safety. Sleeping children are checked on a regular basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and protected as the childminder has a sound knowledge of the child protection procedures in line with the Local Area Child Protection Committee procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder has a plan of activities which are varied to sustain children's interest and promote their overall development. The daily routine is flexible with time to meet children's individual routines, meals and activities inside and outside the home. Interaction between the childminder and the children is warm, and trusting relationships are developed, which increases children's sense of well-being and confidence. Children receive lots of cuddles and comfort from the childminder. The younger children make themselves understood as they express their feelings when hungry, tired and happy. The childminder responds well and meets these needs. The children and childminder enjoy musical movement and singing to nursery rhymes. The sitting babies are encouraged to move their bodies to the beat of the music following the childminder. There is laughter and babies are making sounds as part of their language

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

development. The childminder praises and claps when they finish. The children similarly respond with delight. Children confidently play with the toys of their choice and show an interest in books. They learn at an early age how to handle books properly and turn pages. There are opportunities for children to be creative and imaginative using a variety of resources including paint, craft materials and small world play. Children have visits to various places of interest within the local environment and enjoy attending toddler groups, enabling them to enhance their social skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder appreciates the differing needs of children after a busy day at school and caters for the individual personalities and interest of the children. She is aware that some children wish to relax whilst others are ready to purse play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are treated with equal concern. Children have opportunity to self select toys they want to play with and there is no gender bias. They have access to a limited selection of resources to increase their awareness of diversity of society. The childminder is aware that some children may have special needs and would offer appropriate support.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is consistent in her approach to managing children's behaviour with an emphasis on positive strategies, which are discussed with parents before the arrangement commences. This helps children feel secure, learn what is right and wrong and to respect each other. Children

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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 are encouraged through frequent praise which helps them understand when they have done well. The childminder presents herself as a positive role model. She remains calm, shows children respect and is interested in what they are doing and saying.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are settled and comfortable in their surroundings because the childminder works well with parents to ensure she meets children's individual needs. These are discussed with parents initially, such as likes, dislikes and meals. Information is shared with parents on a daily basis to ensure consistency of care. Written policies are available to parents, however, the complaints procedure has not been amended in line with the revised criteria for the National Standards.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are safeguarded as the childminder ensures persons who are not vetted do not have unsupervised access to the children. The childminder has attended training to support children's welfare and development including first aid and National Vocational Qualification Level 3 in early years care and education. She has not familiarised herself with the ' Birth to three matters' frame work.

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Organisation

The indoor environment is organised allowing children to have opportunities for free play, to eat socially and sleep without disturbance. Children benefit from the support and individual attention as the childminder does not care for the full capacity of children at all times. However, the childminder has not complied with the conditions of registration. She has cared for two children under twelve months and the certificate of registration is not displayed for parents information.

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Organisation

The childminder's recording systems are available for inspection. The attendance register is marked daily. Confidential information is securely stored to ensure it can not be accessed by unauthorised persons. However, not all the required documentation is in place. Medicine has been administered to children without written permission from parents. Parental authorisation is not obtained to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for all children in her care. The required information for one child has not been obtained and a system has not been prepared to log complaints. Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder records children's arrival and departure times in the attendance register and has undertaken child protection training as part of the National Vocational Qualification training to improve children's safety and welfare. The childminder was also asked to ensure the garden was free from hazard although action was taken regarding the clothes line a further hazard was identified.

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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. The provider is

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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 required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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: • ensure the conditions of registration are complied with • assess the risks to children in relation to the evacuation procedure, the fireguard not being secured, access to the stairs, computer lead and water in the garden and take action to minimise these • obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children and request written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice and treatment • ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are in place. 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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