Lees Brook Academy

Inspection report for early years provision

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143934 Unique Reference Number 16 November 2006 Inspection date Mauvene Burke 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 has been registered since 1992. She lives with her husband and adult daughter in a second floor, three bedroom maisonette situated in the Tulse Hill area in the London Borough of Lambeth. Childminding takes place in an upstairs bedroom which has been turned into a play room. There is a large tank with fish kept in the lounge.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to look after a maximum of two children under eight years old at any one time and is currently minding one child age two years old on a full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 and welcoming home. Children in the main are being helped to develop appropriate hygiene practices, for example being asked to cover their mouths when they cough. However, the childminder is not consistent in her approach to the daily routines which helps to protect children from infection. For example, she does not always wash her hands before preparing meals nor does she encourage children to wash theirs before they eat their meals. As a result of this children are not learning about the importance of protecting themselves from the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy lunches, which are provided by their parents. They have regular opportunities during the day to access drinks and fresh fruit which the childminder provides. Children's individual dietary needs are taken into account by the childminder through discussions with parents. Current arrangements for meal times are unsuitable as the children do not have access to a table, instead, children are seated on the floor when eating where they have no back support.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a current first aid certificate, which means she is able to provide emergency medical assistance to children in the event of an accident. However, the overall good health of children is being jeopardised because she has not obtained parental consent for seeking outside emergency medical treatment. Further to this, she has not sought written consent from parents to administer medication to their children, and medication that has been given, has not been recorded. This is a breach of regulations and compromises the children's daily health and well-being. The childminder explains to parents verbally that she has in place, a sickness policy regarding the exclusion of sick children to ensure that the spread of disease is minimised.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to get fresh air as the childminder takes them out regularly. They are taken to the local park and to toddler groups where they can run and climb.

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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 relatively safe environment as the childminder has taken action to minimise most risks to children by making hazards such as the stairs and cleaning agents inaccessible to them. However, sockets in the playroom and on the landing are accessible to children, this poses a risk to their complete safety. Children have adequate space in the playroom to move around freely and have easy access to toys which they can select for themselves. The range of toys available is in good condition, safe and appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. Children are well supervised throughout the day due to the layout of the areas used for childminding.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Although children are taken out by the childminder, she has not sought written permission from parents to take children out.

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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 Children's well-being is not sufficiently safeguarded or protected because the childminder does not have a secure enough understanding of child protection issues. She demonstrates a lack of understanding of the procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child's safety. This compromises children's safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from the childminder being attentive to their physical and emotional needs. Their independence is encouraged as they select and play with the toys of their choice. Children are confident when asking for their favourite toy. Children enjoy new experiences such as making music with the guitar and piano and build on their natural curiosity. They have opportunities to count and to recognise colours and are leaning new things such as the sounds that animals make, with the aid of educational DVD's which the childminder sits and watches with them. The childminder encourages the children and praises their efforts, valuing what children have to offer. Children are becoming skilful communicators because their language is being developed through the childminder talking to them and through asking them questions that make the children think. Children enjoy listening to familiar stories and join in with singing

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

songs with the childminder such as "If you're happy and you know it", doing the actions that are required from the song.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children's daily care routines are met, as the childminder undertakes discussions with parents to establish information regarding their child. She also shares information with parents about their child's day and uses the written contracts to inform them about her childminding practice. She does not however share with parents her complaints record because, as yet she does not have one in place, even though this is a requirement of her registration.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although children are taken out into the local diverse community on an occasional basis and have DVD's that portray children from different cultural and racial backgrounds, they do not have regular opportunities to increase their awareness of diversity and equality, as the childminder does not plan or provide sufficient resources or activities which would enable them to gain an awareness of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well in this environment but are not learning the difference between right and wrong. For example, the childminder does not give children an explanation as to why a particular behaviour is not acceptable, as a result, they are unaware of why for example, they should not be touching the television or why they shouldn't throw the pencil across the room. Children are encouraged to behave well because the childminder encourages their efforts through praise, such as when children successfully manage to feed themselves.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has been registered for over 20 years and has become somewhat complacent in her attitude towards childminding. She has not ensured that she has kept up to date with recent changes relating to childcare and in particular, childminding. Children are happy and settled in this environment, but outcomes are inadequate in a number of areas mainly as a result of the childminder's insecure knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and her failure to comply with regulations. The childminder is in breach of registration regulations in that she does not keep an accurate record of the children's hours of attendance, she has not ensured that parents have given written consent for her to seek emergency medical treatment or advice in an emergency, or their written consent to administer medication or take children out. In addition to this, she does not have a secure knowledge or an understanding of child

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Organisation

protection issues. As a result of this, children's safety and their well-being is being compromised.

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Organisation

The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was issued with a number of actions at the last inspection, all of which have been addressed during this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to provide a range of resources that positively reflect cultural diversity and people with disabilities. She has managed to provide children with a small range of resources such as books and DVD's which reflect racial and cultural differences, however, this is still somewhat limited and there is none which reflects disability. She was asked to provide suitable sleeping and eating arrangements for children aged 2 years and under. Children are now able to sleep comfortably because a travel cot has been provided, however, children are not able to eat comfortably because they have nowhere suitable to eat their meals. The childminder was asked to improve her knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures including signs and symptoms of possible abuse. Children's welfare is not being protected as the childminder has not developed her knowledge or understanding in this area.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 1 2004, Ofsted received one complaint relating to National Standard 2: Organisation. This involved an allegation that the childminder was caring for a child under a year old whilst not being registered to care for children in this age range. The provider responded to the allegation by ceasing to care for children under a year old. Ofsted was satisfied that by taking this step the provider met the National Standards and remained qualified for registration at the time the investigation was closed.

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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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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: • maintain a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance • assess the risks to children in relation to uncovered sockets in the hallway and playroom and take action to minimise these • obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children and keep a record of these • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • keep a record of complaints relating to the national standards and any action taken • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations • obtain written permission from parents for their children to be transported in a vehicle 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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