Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY222251 Unique Reference Number 10 November 2006 Inspection date Alison Jane Williams 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 2002 and she is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder currently cares for seven children part-time, between the ages of two and 10 years old, four of whom are under eight. The childminder lives with her two school aged children. They live in a three bed roomed terraced property in the Milton area of Portsmouth, close to local shops, schools and park. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding with toilet and washing facilities provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet dog. The premises are registered for overnight care.

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 inadequate. The childminder is unable to produce a valid first aid certificate and she has not maintained adequate first aid supplies, to ensure that she can deal with any accident which occurs while children are in her care. The childminder has not kept a record of every child's allergies, medical, cultural needs and parental preferences, so she can not ensure her practice reflects the needs of all children and their families. The childminder has not obtained the written consent of parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice to ensure their wishes are respected at all times and she can respond appropriately in the event of a medical emergency. Although accidents are recorded appropriately, not all entries have been signed by parents to acknowledge that they have been informed.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are encouraged to follow suitable hygiene procedures, such as washing hands after toileting and before meals and they are beginning to understand the importance of personal hygiene through these consistent daily routines. Their individual dietary requirements are meet by agreed arrangements between the childminder and parents for providing food and drinks and currently parents are providing all meals for their children. Children enjoy biscuits, crisps and wide variety of fresh fruit, such as bananas, apples, oranges, strawberries and melon provided by the childminder as snacks. They are offered drinks throughout the day, so they are never thirsty and their cups and beakers are kept within easy reach so they can access them freely.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular opportunities for physical activity and outdoor play to help them develop a knowledge and awareness of their own bodies and develop their bodily strength and co-ordination. They have access to an enclosed garden with a range of equipment such as a Wendy house, trampoline and a sand pit and they enjoy regular visits to local community parks and indoor soft play areas.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. There is no smoke alarm in place on the ground floor of the property and although the childminder has a fire blanket it is kept on top of a high cupboard and is not easily accessible in an emergency. This comprises children safety in the event of a fire.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe and they are able play and move about safely. The childminder supervises them at all times and safety devices such as cupboard safety locks and a stair gate are in place. The equipment and resources are clean and suitability maintained, the childminder checks toys daily to make sure nothing is broken or damaged and cleans toys regularly with anti bacterial spray helping to keep them clean and safe for children's use. Children are developing an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For example, when playing with the toy cooker children practise using oven gloves and know they must not to touch the real cooker as it may be hot and burn them.

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 The childminder has a suitable understanding of child protection procedures. She would recognise the possible signs of abuse and would contact the relevant parties to protect children if concerns were identified, helping to protect them from harm and neglect.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children move around confidently and freely and make themselves at home. They are able to make their own choices of activities, which encourages and develops their independence. They are interested in a varied range of developmentally appropriate activities including drawing and painting, cutting and sticking, play dough, puzzles and games and they enjoy imaginative play with dolls, cars and action men. Children are provided with a range of cookery activities. They make cakes, pancakes and doughnuts and dip fruit and marshmallows into a chocolate fountain. They learn about appropriate kitchen safety and hygiene and how to follow through a sequence in the correct order as they use a recipe and they help to wash and dry up after cooking. Children experiment and are creative using their own ideas. They use various medium for art and craft activities. For example, they make paper Mache masks for Halloween and

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

decorate "Lollydollies" using materials such as fabric, glitter and wool. Children are happy and settled and are fully occupied and engaged during their time with the childminder. The childminder actively listens to children and their understanding is extended through discussion. For example, she talks to the them about size, shape and colours and introduces new words into their vocabulary such as watermelon and limousine.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder is in breech of Children Act Regulations as she has failed to keep a record of complaints relating to the national standards and any action she has taken. The childminder is also in breech of Children Act Regulations by not keeping records on the premises of the name, home address and date of birth of each child who is looked after on the premises and the name, home address and telephone number of their parents. Children receive care that is consistent with their parents' verbal guidance. Discussion of each child's needs takes place at the beginning and end of the day, though this is not supported by the sharing of documentation related to the care of children. The childminder has not obtained written agreements with parents to transport children in a vehicle, to take children on outings, for children to have contact with the family pet and has not obtained their written permission to seek medical advice or treatment.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop their knowledge and understanding of their local community through visits to the library, the toy library and community parks. They have frequent opportunities to interact and socialise with their peers and when attending various children's groups and spending time with other children and their childminders. Children play together well and their behaviour is good. For example, they take turns when playing the game "Crazy Bugs" and when completing wooden tray puzzles. Children respond positively to praise and encouragement and the childminder uses a star chart with weekly rewards for good behaviour.

p.4

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children receive appropriate levels of supervision and support as the childminder maintains adult-child ratios. However, she has a limited understanding of the requirements of the National Standards and has not displayed her certificate of registration. She is in breech of Children Act Regulation, as the register is not completed to show children's full names and times of arrival and departure, putting children at risk should an emergency occur or an historical record be required. Documentation required for the efficient and safe management of the provision and to promote the welfare and care of children is not in place and the childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection recommendations were made to improve the range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice and children's opportunities for creative play.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to improve her knowledge and understanding of child protection referral procedures.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also asked to ensure all required documentation is maintained in appropriate detail and relevant written parental consent are in place.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Children now have access to an appropriate range of resources which reflect a diverse society, for example, dolls, books, dressing up clothes and the childminder uses the toy library to further extend her provision. The range of creative activities available to children has been extended to include painting, cutting and sticking, paper Mache and colouring and drawing using pencils, crayons and chalks.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved her knowledge and understanding of local child protection referral procedures and has attended relevant training.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made no progress towards improving her recording keeping and obtaining written parental consents. Documentation required by Regulations and the National Standards are not in place and written parental consents have still not been consistently obtained from parents to ensure the childminder can respect their wishes at all times. There have been no occasions when the childminder has administered medication or children have arrived at the provision with an injury which happened elsewhere, but the childminder understands the requirement to obtain parental permission to administer medication and to keep records of pre-existing injuries and any medication given.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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.6

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.6

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure a record of children’s attendance is maintained to include a daily record of the names of the children being looked after and their hours of attendance • ensure proper fire safety precautions are in place; provide a smoke alarm, which conforms to BS EN safety standards on all levels on the property in working order and ensure the location and storage of the fire blanket complies with fire safety officer recommendations • ensure children's good health is promoted and appropriate measures are taken when they are ill; complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children and ensure the contents of the first aid box are maintained as determined in the first aid training course • ensure a record is in place of complaints in line with Children Act Regulations

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

• ensure records are maintained to include information on children and their parents required under Children Act Regulations, information to support children's welfare and care and written parental agreements and consents These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

p.6

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.6

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