Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY279109 Unique Reference Number 09 January 2007 Inspection date Mauvene Burke 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 2004. She lives with her husband and their six children, three boys and three girls aged from eighteen years old to seven years old in a five bedroom purpose built maisonette flat, situated in the Walworth Road area in the London Borough of Southwark. The flat is situated over three floors, childminding mainly takes place on the ground and second floors where they have access to the dining room, living room and a bedroom. The flat has access to a small garden.

p.2

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, three days of the week. She takes children to the local childminding drop-in group.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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. Children are protected from the spread of disease because the childminder follows satisfactory procedures when changing children's nappies and when preparing children's meals. She works with parents to ensure they are aware of her policy regarding the exclusion of sick children by asking them to read the contract at the start of placements. Children's welfare is further promoted because the childminder has a valid first aid certificate enabling her to provide treatment in the first instance of an accident however, the childminder has not yet obtained written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. To date, children have not had accidents and the childminder has not been asked to administer any medication, however, through discussions with the childminder, correct procedures would be followed.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with healthy meals provided by their parents, the childminder prepares these meals for the children by warming them up. Children however are not always given healthy options for snacks, for example, children are offered a plateful of biscuits as a snack, with squash. Although young children are given their drink from a beaker, suitable equipment is not provided for slightly older children, for example drinks are offered in a large mug or glass which children are unable to manipulate, as a result, they do not have access to a drink when they require one. Suitable equipment is provided which enables children to eat their meals comfortably.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities to receive fresh air as the childminder takes them out daily. They attend parent and toddler groups where they have access to swings and slides which helps develop their physical skills.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children's overall safety is compromised in this environment because the childminder has not identified potential hazards in the home. For example, all smoke alarms previously fitted in the home have recently been removed, this poses some degree of risk to children, as well as this, the childminder has not devised or practised an emergency evacuation plan and sockets in the dining room are exposed.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

When indoors, children spend the majority of their time in the living room area. Although the space here is adequate, children are restricted from moving around freely, for example, children want to venture into the hallway but are quickly carried back into the living room. However, children are taken out on a regular basis which enables them to experience a different environment.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

To some extent, children are unable to make their own choice of play equipment because the childminder does not organise resources so that they are readily accessible to them. Instead, the childminder selects what she thinks the children would like and prepares these before

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 children arrive, children make their choices from these pre-selected toys and activities. Toys are in a reasonable condition and are age appropriate for the children attending, the childminder ensures that they are rotated from time to time so children have different experiences.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's well-being is not sufficiently safeguarded because the childminder does not have secure enough knowledge of child protection issues and was unable to demonstrate a good enough understanding of the procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child's safety.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. There is a satisfactory balance of adult directed and child initiated activities that help children progress in some areas of their learning. Children under three explore and experiment through a range of activities that are appropriate for their stage of development. They engage in basic play such as pressing buttons on activity centres and have fun when they crawl in and out of the treasure basket shaking the wooden spoon around and when using the toy ironing board and iron. The childminder encourages children’s language development as they look at picture books together and sing nursery rhymes. Children are taken out almost daily to local support carer and toddler groups. Here children have the opportunity to socialise with other children of a similar age and can engage in a wide range of well planned activities.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has a reasonable understanding of how children learn and provides appropriate activities and resources to encourage and extend their development. She is keen to further her knowledge of the developmental needs of the younger children by pursuing training in early years.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The relationship between the children and the childminder is an affectionate one. Children are mostly happy and settled in this environment and enjoy receiving hugs and cuddles from the childminder.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children attending currently have little or no opportunity to learn about diversity or disability because the childminder has not given any thought as to how this can be achieved. Further to this, she provides no resources which promote diversity, however, children receive these opportunities when they attend the local childminding group where they have a chance to mix with children from the local community and engage in activities which helps them to value difference.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs such as their sleeping and eating patterns, likes and dislikes are known by the childminder through the use of contracts and child detail forms as a result, children's needs are suitably met on a daily basis. Children receive continuity of care because the childminder works in partnership with parents, for example, they share information with each other daily about the children. The childminder is not familiar with new regulations relating to complaints, therefore she has been unable to share this information with parents.

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 Children are not learning about the difference between right and wrong because the childminder does not have consistent expectations about acceptable behaviour, nor does she use appropriate methods to manage unacceptable behaviour. For example, the childminder does not give children any explanation as to why a particular behaviour is not tolerable, as a result, they are unaware of why for example, they should not kick or hit others or tear books.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Although children on the whole are relaxed and settled in this environment, outcomes are inadequate in a number of areas mainly as a result of the childminder's insecure knowledge and understanding of the National Standards. As a result, children's welfare and wellbeing is not sufficiently being safe-guarded. Further to this, the attendance register is not being adequately maintained, in that dates of the children's attendance are not recorded.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has in recent months attended a number of useful training courses which includes aspects of the Birth to three matters framework, she also intends to start a Level 2 child care course in the near future. The childminder is fully aware that her weaknesses have a negative impact on the children and is keen to attend training in areas such as child protection and behaviour management to counterbalance this. The childminder has ensured that Ofsted is kept informed of changes to persons living on the premises who are over 16 years old.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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: • ensure that the attendance register includes the dates of when children attend • assess the risks to children in relation to fire and take action to minimise these • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • improve snacks given to children and ensure that these are healthy options and ensure that children have easy access to fresh drinking water at all times • develop awareness and understanding of effective ways to manage children’s behaviour, taking into account their age and stage of development • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations including new guidance relating to complaints These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date

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