Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY338001 Unique Reference Number 12 January 2007 Inspection date Amanda Jane Tyson 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two adult aged children in Ewell, within the borough of Epsom in Surrey. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is currently caring for one child aged three years for two days per week. The childminder has the use of a car to transport children to and from activities and playgroup.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder's warm and welcoming home environment contributes greatly to the children's strong sense of belonging. They are very secure and happy. They are familiar with where toys and their personal things, such as bag and coat are kept. Prior to placement, the childminder

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 obtains a profile of their health and emotional needs from parents so that she can provide consistency of care. She has systems in place to monitor and record administered medication and any injuries sustained to children. The childminder has completed first aid training, which means that she is equipped to respond to minor injuries and to respond to some emergency situations. However, as a result of an oversight in the completion of the written contractual agreement with parents, the childminder is not in possession of any documentation to clarify parental wishes in relation to meeting children's individual health needs. For example, whether or not they permit her to seek emergency treatment, or to administer treatment herself in the event that children become unwell whilst in her care.

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Helping children to be healthy

The risk of cross infection to children is well minimised by the childminder's meticulous attention to ensuring good hygiene standards. The 'sick child' policy is explained to parents prior to admission, which means that they are clear about which childhood conditions may require children to remain at home until they are no longer contagious. Children have their own individual hand towels stored on low level hooks in the ground floor cloakroom, and they are helped by the childminder to understand how germs are transferred from hand to mouth if they do not wash them after using the toilet.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's awareness and understanding of good health is being well developed through the childminder's consistent dialogue with them throughout the day. For example: why physical exercise is important when they go for a walk to the park; and discussions about the contents of their lunch boxes when they sit together on arrival home from pre-school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in a suitably maintained home. The conservatory provides a highly stimulating and welcoming environment for children. Low level shelving surrounds the perimeter and is filled with labelled containers of good quality play and learning resources. The garden is secured with perimeter fencing and the side gate is fitted with a high bolt so that children cannot leave the premises unsupervised. Hazardous equipment is kept in a locked shed, but although one of the conservatory windows has been protected with safety film, another has not. This window pane stretches from the ceiling to the ground and therefore poses a risk to children, for example during robust play or with ball games. The childminder has devised a comprehensive written fire evacuation plan which she has made sure the children understand, for example what to do and where to go. She checks the smoke detectors regularly to ensure

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

they are in working order, but has not ensured that the mandatory fire blanket is in place in the kitchen.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder uses her car to transport children around, but has not obtained written parental permission from parents, although clearly verbal agreements have been reached because of the necessary pre-school run. The childminder supervises the children closely when she takes them out, but has not implemented any additional features to enable a more speedy reunion, in the event that a child did become misplaced. Furthermore, she does not carry any identification that explains her role as a childminder. If she herself became unwell, and was unable to communicate, a delay in parent's being contacted, is most likely, which is unnecessary and may cause children distress.

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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 childminder has detailed a bullet point style procedure for responding to child protection issues based on what she understood from the mandatory Introduction to Childminding Practice training. She demonstrates sufficient knowledge of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse and neglect, and understands clearly her responsibility to monitor and record any concerns. However, she is less secure in her knowledge of the reporting procedure and role of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board which may cause a delay in protecting children from further harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of child development and of the needs of children after a busy morning in a pre-school environment. As a result, she has created a lovely home environment which enables children to make independent choices about what they want to play with. Whilst the childminder is only caring for one child, she often invites others to play to provide company. The children are inspired by the high quality play and learning resources; dressing up clothes are eagerly put on and real and imaginary experiences are delightfully acted out. For example, 'doctors and policeman join forces as they attend an emergency situation'. They are challenged by the varied selection of play and learning resources, such as a set of mosaic hexagons which require high levels of concentration to match the patterns together, and a set off beautiful wooden indented teddy bear shaped templates which

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children put together to complete the body parts and clothing. They play board games with the childminder, build complex models with cogs and wheels which work in motion once assembled. They make things using glue and paint, and absorb themselves in small world play, such as with the cars on the road mapped carpet and garage. The childminder balances giving appropriate intervention to support learning with allowing children the time and space to play independently. The childminder spends time talking and listening to the children, which encourages them to contribute their thoughts and feelings. The children are extremely happy and the bond between the childminder and the children is warm and affectionate.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children learn about the wider world and differences between people as they play with toys and access resources that depict positive images of ethnicity and gender. For example, girls dress up as doctors and boys make tea in role play. The childminder knows the children very well and uses this knowledge to encourage and inspire their learning and development. Although the childminder has minimal experience of caring for children with physical and/or learning disabilities, her early years childcare qualification, and experience of working in group care settings, equips her well to recognise possible developmental concerns. Her patience and interest in the children indicate that she would provide high levels of support to children with specific identified needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is impeccable. They are polite, sociable and play cooperatively together. The childminder makes sure that children understand her expectations of their behaviour. They respect the house rules, such as 'no jumping on the sofa' and listen carefully when she explains

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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 things to them. The childminder has detailed her methods for managing unwanted behaviour in a written statement, which she discusses with parents prior to placement, although there is no written agreement in place to confirm this.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder usually meets with parents once per week to update them on the activities that children have taken part in with her and important information is always shared promptly. However, there is insufficient documentation to clarify parental agreement for aspects of care provided. Although she has devised a number of written policy statements which are shown to parents prior to placement, the procedure for making a complaint is not included and the childminder is unaware of her regulatory responsibilities in relation to this. The written agreement with parent's is insufficient; their wishes and confirmation of certain required permissions are not documented. The agreement focuses solely on the business arrangements.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are protected from un-vetted adults because the childminder vigilantly supervises children when she takes them out. The childminder completed the mandatory Introduction to Childminding Practice, and First Aid training within the required post registration timescale. She is qualified in early years childcare and education and she puts her secure knowledge and understanding of child development to very good practical operational use. However, the childminder's understanding of some aspects of regulation, in particular the keeping of certain records and documentation, and the procedure for making a complaint is insufficient. Although most documentation is in place, for example a register of attendance and written contract agreements, they lack the necessary detail. The times of children's arrival and departure are not precise, and the written agreement is incomplete and missing significant aspects. Despite

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Organisation

the undeniable fact that the children are very well cared for on a practical basis, and they are clearly having a wonderful time in her care, children's welfare is not sufficiently protected or assured. As a result, the childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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: • ensure that the premises are safe: pay particular attention to the conservatory window, and ensuring the provision of a fire blanket for the kitchen • make sure that parent's fully understand the procedure for making a complaint, and devise a system in which to record any such complaint • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations; pay particular attention to ensuring that required written parental permissions are all obtained, and that agreements for care are fully documented. 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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