Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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221208 Unique Reference Number 17 January 2007 Inspection date Andrea Ewer 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 has been registered since 1997 and is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years. She is currently caring for three children, for various hours during the day.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives in the Duston area of Northampton, with her husband and three children aged 16, 14 and seven years old.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Care is provided in the living room, dining room and passage. Children share access to a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder walks to take and collect children from school.

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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 inadequate. Children are cared for in clean and tidy premises, where positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. They start to learn the importance of good hygiene practices during everyday routines such as washing their hands before eating. The childminder does not hold an up-to-date first aid qualification which potentially compromises children's welfare. She does, however, have a well stocked first aid kit which is readily available. Records that support the childminder to promote children's good health are well maintained. This includes medicine and accident records, and consent for emergency medical treatment or advice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have very good opportunities to develop their physical skills. Young children gain control of their bodies as they crawl and learn to walk in the safe and suitable environment. Older children build on skills they already have during outdoor play in the garden, visits to Salcy Forest, indoor soft play centres and the local park. They confidently climb on the large apparatus and ride wheeled toys with increased confidence. This helps children gain control of their bodies and develop their large muscles.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's start to understand the benefits of healthy eating. They enjoy nutritious meals and snacks that take account of their medical, religious or cultural requirements as well as any personal likes and dislikes. The childminder further ensures children have their five pieces of fruit and vegetables each day. Children have regular drinks throughout the day. As a result children's dietary needs are met well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Overall, children play safely in the well organised home where active steps are taken to minimise hazards. Finger guards are fitted to doors and prevent children trapping their fingers, catches are fitted to cupboards housing harmful cleaning materials and safety gates are fitted to the stairs and kitchen doorway to prevent children accessing them unsupervised. Children are unable to leave the garden unsupervised because padlocks are fitted on all three gates. Children are kept safe during outings because the childminder ensures they are strapped safely into age appropriate car or booster seats when being transported in the car. The childminder talks to children about staying safe during walks and explains how to cross roads safely. Children's safety is further promoted because the childminder has clear arrangements with another registered childminder that ensure children are cared for appropriately in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children play happily with the suitable range of toys and activities that provides a stimulating environment and meets their play and development needs well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Generally children are protected from harm or neglect. The childminder has sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and usually follows the correct procedures if she has concerns about children. She has not, however, implemented procedures rigorously enough

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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 because she failed to inform Ofsted of a significant change or events, which compromises children's safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children share warm and friendly relationships with the childminder who takes a keen interest in what they say and do. Children approach the childminder confidently to express their needs and generally during the day, which helps them feel self-assured. They benefit from the childminder's secure knowledge of child development which ensures they are cared for in a stimulating environment. Progress records that take account of the 'Birth to three matters' framework support the childminder to plan and provide activities that capture children's interests and meet their physical, emotional, intellectual and social needs well.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children confidently choose to look at books for enjoyment and respond to the childminder's questions and comments about the story. For example, children repeat simple words such as 'cat' which supports them to extend their speech and language. Children carefully stack the pieces of Humpty Dumpty with support from the childminder and become excited as they anticipate the model tumbling down. They have fun drawing pictures with chalk on the patio and proudly show them off to their parents and paint with water outdoors.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children develop their independence and interests as they take part in a more relaxed session at either end of the school day. They are able to choose freely from a range of activities, for example, craft activities, simple cooking and sewing which helps them unwind and meets their play and enjoyment needs very well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children feel highly valued because the childminder sees them as individuals and adapts the care to meet their needs effectively. For example, very young children's home routine is incorporated into the childminding routine and helps them to feel settled and secure. The childminder is currently not caring for any children who have learning difficulties. She is, however, aware of the issues to be considered to ensure all children are fully included and their specific needs met. For example, the childminder understands the importance of working closely with the child's parents and any other professionals involved in the child's care and how activities are organised to support all children to join in.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have regular access to a good range of resources that help them understand our similarities and differences. They play happily with small world people some of whom have a disability, books that help children understands their own and other cultures and beliefs and dolls of various colours. This contributes to all children feeling valued and included.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Overall children benefit from the effective partnership between the childminder and their parents. Information about children is shared regularly. Diary sheets are given to parents of very young children each week which supports the verbal information given daily. This ensures children receive consistent care both in the childminding environment and at home.

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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 Children learn what is expected of them as they respond to the clear guidelines set by the childminder. They begin to share and behave well. Very young children develop their confidence and self-esteem because the childminder gives regular praise, encouragement and support. Older children understand the written house rules which the childminder implements consistently.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Overall the provision does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. The childminder has failed to notify Ofsted of significant changes and events, and has not updated her first aid qualification which compromises children's safety and welfare. Relevant checks have been carried out on all household members to ensure they are suitable to work with or have regular contact with young children.

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Organisation

Space and resources are well organised which allows children to move around freely and develop their ideas. The daily routine takes account of children's home routines and meets their individual needs for meals, sleep, quiet and active play. For example, children sleep according to their individual needs and the childminder ensures they have their special comforters which gives them a sense of security.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are attractively presented and give parents useful information about the service being provided. Children's records are well maintained and enable the childminder to provide appropriate care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The last inspection recommended the childminder obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children and keeps a detailed written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children. Children's well-being is better promoted because the childminder has record keeping systems set up to obtain written consent to administer medicine to children and detailed records are kept.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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: • Obtain a first aid qualification that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure that Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedures are followed at all times • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of significant changes or events. 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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