Beis Ahaion School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

126609 Unique Reference Number 20 December 2006 Inspection date Melissa Tickner 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 was registered in 1994. She lives with her husband in Rusthall, near Tunbridge Wells, Kent. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. The garden is not registered for use, the local parks are used as an alternative.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time when working alone and five children when working with her assistant. She currently has twelve children on her books who attend at different times throughout the week. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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. Children are beginning to develop a basic awareness of being healthy through aspects such as use of hand gel for cleansing hands after using the potty. However, children are not encouraged to wash or cleanse their hands before snacks or meals. In addition the childminder uses the same muslin cloth for wiping all children's noses, and omits to empty a child's potty after it has been used twice. These aspects do not promote strict hygiene procedures with children. Children are catered for by the childminder, and enjoy home cooked meals such as lasagne and shepherds pie. They eat biscuits and drink juice for snack. Children can help themselves to their cups of juice to enable them to remain hydrated at all times. Children benefit from some physical activity, which may include trips to the park and use of physical play equipment at mother and toddler groups. This helps children begin to develop an enjoyment of physical exercise. The

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

childminder has an understanding of the requirement to record accidents and medication administration. The childminder does not currently hold a valid first aid qualification to enable her to act appropriately in the event of an emergency; this was set as an action at the last inspection and is currently long overdue. In addition the childminder does not have the required permission for emergency treatment in place for any of the children on her books.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in a mostly safe home environment; however currently irons are stored at a low level accessible to children in the conservatory and security is inadequately maintained. These aspects present a hazard to children. They have access to a reasonable range of toys, many of which are stored accessible to them in low level cupboards and drawers in the front room which is set up as their playroom. The childminder monitors children's play from a CCTV system she has installed rather than supervising the children in person which potentially compromises their safety. The childminder has suitable systems in place for ensuring children's safety when on outings. The garden is currently unsafe and unsuitable for use. The childminder has an inadequate knowledge and understanding of child protection issues; consequently she is unable to fully safeguard children in her care.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. Children are generally contented to play by themselves with a suitable range of toys and resources, many of which are set out so that they can help themselves. However, they are encouraged to put one set of toys away before choosing any further. During the inspection the childminder chooses to allow children to play on their own, offering them interaction only to resolve behavioural issues. This limits children's ability to feel secure and enjoy and achieve whilst in her care, and results in them becoming compliant and being used to having to amuse themselves. She monitors them from the lounge where she can view them via CCTV. The childminder indicates that when her assistant is present, she supports the children as they play,

p.3

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 offering them encouragement and interaction. At times when the children join the childminder in the lounge, she offers them hugs and comfort, chatting to them about the toys they have chosen to play with. There is no planning or framework in place to enable young children make good progress in the childminder's care, such as the Birth to three matters.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder generally meets children's physical needs, although by leaving them to play by themselves opportunities are missed to interact with them, support them and help promote their feelings of security and self esteem. The childminder has a basic understanding of equal opportunities issues and a limited range of toys reflect diversity. Consequently, children are not being helped to develop positive attitudes in this area. A satisfactory approach is taken to managing children's behaviour, and the childminder encourages sharing and uses praise on occasion. Much of the childminders interaction with the children, however, is spent resolving disputes over toys and children not wanting to share them. Although explanations are clear, children lack the guidance and direction to help prevent these issues arising in the first place. There are appropriate methods used to work with parents, they are offered time for daily

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

discussions and the childminder is willing to keep a written diary if parents request it. This helps ensure children's needs can be met and parents are able to receive information about their children.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder works from a reasonably well organised and welcoming home, with sufficient space to care for children. However, she lacks clear organisation in her childminding practices. She does not have a working knowledge or understanding of the National Standards for childminding which impacts on her ability to meet and work to them. Consequently, the childminder is offering inadequate outcomes for children in her care. During the inspection, the childminder was caring for more children than she is registered for and more under fives than is allowed. This is an offence and compromises children's care and safety.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has an extremely basic set of paperwork in place, and not all legally required documentation is in place. This includes documentation relating to all children in her care, the legally required complaints documentation, and a clear up to date register of children's attendance including details of when the assistant has been caring for children. The childminder has also failed to notify Ofsted of several significant events, for example the fact that she has taken on a new assistant. This is a legal requirement and the childminder has a duty to notify Ofsted of any significant changes. The childminder has failed to update her knowledge, awareness and understanding of changes that have taken place in childcare since she first registered. No training, qualifications or short courses have been completed. This includes completion of a first aid qualification which was requested at the last inspection and a

p.4

Organisation

requirement for all childcare providers. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Organisation

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

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made minimal progress to ensure she has met the action and recommendations set at the last inspection in May 2004. The action set relating to completion of a first aid qualification has not been met and consequently compromises children's health and safety. This has been set as an action again at this inspection. A basic range of toys and resources are in place to promote diversity and have not been expanded on sufficiently. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of how to promote this aspect but does not actively do so. Some safety issues have been addressed; however some remain and continue to require addressing. Accident reports are now completed accurately and contain all relevant information.

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. 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.5

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.5

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 valid first aid qualification that includes training in first aid for infants and young children is maintained • ensure all children are well supported, encouraged and stimulated in their play as individuals and as a group • ensure full safety and security of the home is maintained • implement strict hygiene procedures to promote children's health at all times • develop and improve knowledge and understanding of child protection issues • ensure Ofsted are informed of significant notifiable events at the earliest opportunity • develop knowledge and understanding of the National Standards

p.5

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 • ensure all required documentation is in place, appropriately maintained and available for inspection at any time These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

p.5

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