Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY229915 Unique Reference Number 30 November 2006 Inspection date Linda Filewood 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 2003. She lives with her three teenage children in Walton near Wakefield. The home also includes annexes in which the childminder's parents and grandparents live. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding with bathroom facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children, all on a part-time basis. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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 satisfactory. The childminder promotes the children's good health by putting into practice clear hygiene procedures. Children understand that washing their hands before eating and after using the toilet helps to keep them healthy. The risk of cross infection is minimised as the childminder now provides separate flannels for children to dry their hands on after they have washed them. Parents are aware of when and why they should not bring their children if they are unwell to stop the spread of infection. Clear arrangements are in place to look after children if they become ill whilst with the childminder. Suitable records are made of any accidents and medication administered to the children and most permissions for the seeking of medical attention have been obtained from parents. The childminder has received training in the use of an epipen in case she is required to use one, further enhancing the care given to children.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a healthy diet and the food provided by the childminder includes a variety of fresh fruit and vegetables. They talk confidently about the need to eat 'five a day' and their favourite food. Information about allergies and individual dietary requirements are discussed with parents to ensure the children's needs are suitably catered for. Children have drinks with their meals and know that they can ask for extra if they are thirsty. They are encouraged to use appropriate cutlery ready for starting school and younger children are given support in learning to feed themselves.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Outdoor play, walking to and from school and regular visits to the local amenities helps the children improve their physical development. They enjoy, for example, playing hide and seek in the long grass on a trip to the park and playing on the swings in the garden. Periods of rest and quiet are planned into the day and the childminder works appropriately with parents to ensure that home routines for younger children are met as closely as possible.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are suitably cared for in a safe environment as the childminder ensures that appropriate safety precautions are in place. For instance, she uses a safety gate at the bottom of the stairs when minding young children and has a fire blanket suitably positioned in the kitchen. Children are beginning to understand how to keep themselves safe, particularly when out walking. They know to use the zebra crossing when going across the road and to hold hands on the way home from school. There is a written fire evacuation procedure in place for the home but this has not been practised and children do not fully understand what to do in the event of a fire.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The layout of the rooms used for childminding allows children to move easily and safely from one room to another accessing different types of play. For example, they confidently play with toys in the front room then move into the back room to draw and cut out. The garden is well enclosed and side gates not in use are fastened with padlocks ensuring that children play in a secure, safe environment. Children enjoy a satisfactory variety of equipment which is in a clean condition and suitable for their age and development.

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 clear understanding of possible signs and symptoms of abuse and the correct procedures to follow should she have any concerns. She has attended extra training to update her knowledge, further safeguarding the children's welfare. The adequate systems in place for the safe collection of children ensure that children are only released to authorised persons.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settle quickly on their return from school. They enjoy warm relationships with the childminder and are comfortable in going to her for help. For instance, younger children try to build a plastic car track themselves but seek support from the childminder when they are unable to do it without help. Children are interested, enjoy their play and happily play on their own with their favourite toys. They participate well in creative activities, such as leaf rubbings, and skilfully cut around the leaf shapes. Children are confident speakers and talk happily about the slimy slug in a book from the school library before relating a tale about a snail that came into their home. The childminder offers appropriate encouragement and praise during their play, raising their levels of self-esteem and confidence.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The satisfactory range of activities and resources contributes generally well to the children's development. They enjoy a cuddly story time after lunch and confidently choose their favourite books from a good selection. The childminder uses good questioning techniques to make the children think about the story. This improves their concentration skills and keeps them interested. Children benefit from a satisfactory variety of outings which are planned into the daily routine and sometimes include a journey by bus for visits further afield. These promote the children's learning and stimulate their interest in the wider world.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are appropriately supported in their understanding of similarities and differences as the childminder has a satisfactory range of resources in place that reflect diversity and promote discussion. For instance, the childminder talks to the children about their holidays abroad and the different languages spoken there. Children are encouraged to play with all the resources available to them and they are beginning to become aware of the needs of others. They know, for example, that certain toys cannot be played with when younger children are present because of the size of the pieces. The childminder liaises with parents to ensure that she has sufficient information to enable appropriate care to be given to the children while they are with her.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children are well behaved and polite as good behaviour is valued and encouraged. A written behaviour policy is in place and the childminder discusses her behaviour management policy with parents. Any inappropriate behaviour is managed in a way that is suitable for the children's age and development. House rules are in place giving children clear, consistent boundaries.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Detailed documentation ensures parents are well aware of the service provided. Parent's wishes are respected and the children benefit from a satisfactory exchange of information at the

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 beginning and end of the day. For instance, what the children have brought home from school is explained to parents so they are aware of events in the child's day. A daily diary to show the children's development is offered to parents. However, no parent has taken up this offer and they are only verbally informed of their child's progress and development.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are settled and familiar with their routines. The childminder's home is warm, welcoming and organised satisfactorily to meet the children's play and physical needs. They are appropriately supervised at all times and older children given time to do their homework, if required after discussion with parents. The day is planned to give children the benefit of active play as well as periods of quiet and relaxation. The childminder shows some commitment to gaining further qualifications which increase her knowledge and contribute to the quality of care offered. Although, she has not sufficiently considered the children's welfare as her first aid certificate has not been maintained and this is a requirement of registration.

p.5

Organisation

All records, policies and procedures required are in place. These are appropriately and confidentially maintained contributing satisfactorily to the efficiency of the childminding practice. However, the childminder is in breach of a regulation by not informing Ofsted about the changes in her household and childminding practice which means that children's safety and well-being is not always sustained. She also has not ensured that all persons over the age of 16 living in the household when children are being minded have undergone a criminal records check, despite being reminded that this was required of her under the National Standards. Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder ensured that hygiene practices took into account and eliminate all possibilities of cross infection between children and adults. The childminder has amended her procedures and now uses a towel on her knee when changing a baby's nappy and provides children with separate flannels to dry their hands on. These improvements help in reducing the risk of cross infection. She was also asked to develop a system that would inform parents about the progress that their children were making. The childminder only verbally advises the parents of their child's development but does offer a written diary if preferred. This ensures that parents are satisfactorily informed of their child's day and are generally made aware of the progress their children are making.

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

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

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

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: • submit an action plan to show how an appropriate first aid certificate that includes training in first aid for infants and young children will be obtained • ensure Ofsted is informed of all changes in the persons over the age of 16 living or working in the household and that all persons over the age of 16 undergo criminal records checks. 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