Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY240444 Unique Reference Number 09 March 2007 Inspection date Fiona Sapler 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 2002. She lives with her husband and four children aged two, seven, ten and thirteen years, in a ground floor flat, in Bow in the London borough of Tower Hamlets. The whole of the childminder’s home, apart from her bedroom and her eldest daughter's bedroom, is used for childminding and 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 two children at any one time and is currently minding two children, under five, part time and one child before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends a local parent/toddler group. The family has no pets

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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 hygienic environment where they learn the importance of following clear routines that contribute to their good health. For instance, they know they need to wash their hands before eating and are told that germs will make them feel unwell.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are mostly protected as the childminder has sufficient systems in place to record accidents and medication and is aware of sharing these records with parents. However, she has not received consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment, which impacts on the care of a child in the event of serious accident or emergency. The childminder's First Aid certificate has expired. She is aware of this and is currently awaiting notification of the next available course. She was able to demonstrate her understanding of satisfactory actions to take when children may require first aid. This means she is confident to provide appropriate care at these times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to use large equipment and learn different ways their bodies work when, for example they use the playground opposite the childminder's home.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents of the children who currently attend provide all the children's meals and snacks. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure these follow healthy guidelines to encourage children to understand what foods are good for them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are at risk as they are not cared for in a safe environment. The home has not been risk assessed appropriately and, subsequently potential hazards have not been addressed. For example, there is large store cupboard in the hallway. This contains heavy tools and other potentially dangerous items. The contents are piled haphazardly and could topple on a child if they open the cupboard. In the bathroom, razors, shampoos and other harmful fluids are stored accessibly to minded children. This is of added concern as older children are permitted to move around most of the home independently. In addition, the childminder does not provide children with an appropriate level of supervision. Children were left unattended for short periods during the inspection as the childminder searched for paperwork. The children, at these times had access to a plastic bag, pot pourri and small toys that could cause a choking hazard to young

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

children. The childminder has appropriate home and car insurance and uses suitable car restraints. However, she has not gained consent from parents agreeing for their children to be transported by car. Children are, also, not fully safeguarded as the childminder does not maintain accurate records of the children's daily attendance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning ways to keep themselves safe as the childminder uses clear explanations. For example, she tells them to make sure their fingers are clear of the door when closing it and why this is important.

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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 The large, bright living room provides a suitable play area for minded children with a range of good quality toys available for them to self select. This ensures children are able to make choices about their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder's understanding of child protection issues promotes children's welfare. For example, she was able to describe suitable procedures she would follow when identifying, recording and reporting any concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Minded children are happy and content while at the childminder's home. They approach her for support when necessary and are provided with lots of cuddles and affection to help them develop a real sense of belonging. The childminder plays on the floor with the children and responds appropriately to their cues during play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses local groups to enhance the time the children spend with her, providing lots of social opportunities. She uses her judgement to ensure the groups are suitable and present a stimulating environment. However, the children are not provided with sensory play experiences either at the groups or in the home. This limits the potential to promote their creativity or for them to experiment and explore the qualities of a range of materials.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are beginning to learn about the world around them. They visit local community groups and the childminder carefully selects a range of toys that positively promote a range of cultures as well as reflecting the children's own backgrounds. This helps the children develop their self esteem and helps them value each other's differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She uses her knowledge and understanding to provide a suitable level of care to help children reach their potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are well behaved and the childminder manages their behaviour appropriately for their ages and level of understanding. For example, even young children understand the word 'no', and clearly have an understanding of right and wrong. The children play happily alongside each other and are encouraged to share and care about each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are welcomed into the home and are provided with a selection of written polices and procedures to inform them of how the provision is managed. However, the childminder has not requested a range of consent to ensure she is fully aware of parent's wishes.

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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 children are not fully protected as the childminder has a very limited knowledge of the regulations that relate to childminding. This has resulted in a range of breaches. For example, the childminder does not keep accurate attendance records and has not effectively informed Ofsted of significant changes in the household. She does not display her certificate. Therefore parents are unaware of all conditions of registration. This could lead to issues such as over minding. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

The childminder enjoys being with the children and knows them well, helping them feel secure and comfortable. However, the organisation of the setting does not protect the children from possible dangers as they move around the home, and lapses in supervision contribute to the potential risks.

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Organisation

Written policies and procedures inform the childminder and provide a level of information for parents, however not all required documentation is in place to support the children's welfare.

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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 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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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: • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations with particular regard to displaying the certificate of registration and ensuring Ofsted are notified of significant changes in the household

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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 • take positive steps to promote safety within the setting and ensure proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents • ensure records accurately show children’s hours of attendance. 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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