Childminder in Lancashire

Inspection report for early years provision

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307883 Unique Reference Number 20 January 2007 Inspection date Anna Barnes 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 1992. She lives with her husband and their two adult children in Leyland, Lancashire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding eight on a part-time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children on occasions. The childminder attends local toddler groups. The family has a pet dog.

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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's health is not sufficiently safeguarded as the childminder does not follow appropriate health practices. For example, allowing children to be exposed to a smoke filled environment whilst in her care. However, the childminder followed hygiene procedures, hand washing with wipes after changing nappies and encouraging children to wash their hands before eating and after using the bathroom.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a sufficient range of activities which contribute to their good health. There are some outdoor activities to help them develop their health through exercise on trips to the local park. Younger children are well rested because of the childminder's sufficient understanding of children's individual routines and providing appropriate sleeping arrangements.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. They enjoy a variety of fresh fruit on a daily basis provided by parents. Children are offered frequent drinks throughout the day to quench their thirst and cups are available for children to independently access when they want.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are provided with a warm and welcoming home with comfortable furnishings and equipment which are in reasonable condition. However, children's safety is compromised because the environment is hazardous and does not meet the required standards in terms of safety. The children are unable to play safely indoors and outdoors due to the many hazards identified, for example, security of the front and back doors, unsafe shed door, accessible concrete flags, bricks and glass bottles; this therefore compromises the children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates limited understanding of child protection issues but can recognise some potential signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. Children are not safeguarded because the childminder is not clear of the procedures to take and who to report any concerns to, should they arise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is unable to fully keep the children safe due to the omission of a piece of fire safety equipment. There are insufficient smoke alarms sited in the premises, therefore posing a risk to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are beginning to learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder is beginning to develop their knowledge and understanding of how to behave, for example, road safety. The children are taught awareness of hazards when using toys and equipment to avoid accidents. For example children are encouraged to pick up toys, thus enhancing their own personal safety.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are settled and comfortable in the childminder's care because she is attentive in her care of them; this makes them feel secure. The children develop confidence and self-esteem when she praises them for their achievements. Children are generally involved in their play and are able to access an adequate range of toys and make choices.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy playing with the range of toys available. They begin to develop their understanding of numbers as the childminder encourages them to match and count objects in a book with her. Children develop their creative skills as they enjoy baking, musical toys, drawing, and colouring, and develop their skills further, socialising with other children when they visit the toddler group and enjoy picnics in the park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have their individual needs met generally because the childminder communicates with parents regularly, actively seeking their views about their child's needs and uses this information to work in partnership with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children are beginning to have an awareness of difference through conversations with the childminder. However, she does not fully understand equality of opportunity or help children learn about it through their play as there are insufficient resources and activities to help children appreciate and value each other's similarities and differences.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder shows an acceptable attitude and due regard toward the care and inclusion of children with learning difficulties. She communicates regularly with parents regarding their children's needs and, as a result, children are given the same opportunities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children understand what is expected of them and respond well to praise for good behaviour and individual achievements. This helps them to build their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of appropriate behaviour management methods that children respond to well. Children benefit from the positive partnership that the childminder has developed with the parents. Parents' views about their children's needs are actively sought before the children start there on a regular basis. The childminder ensures that there is daily verbal feedback for parents regarding their children's welfare and progress.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are provided with sufficient space to play freely and access low level containers easily, therefore allowing them to make choices in daily routines.

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Organisation

The childminder uses some written policies and procedures which are shared with parents. However, these are inconsistent with the practice she says she uses to support the care and welfare of children. She has not attended any training other than a first aid training course.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 She has omitted to inform Ofsted that she has built a conservatory and was using it to care for minded children, and the potential impact on the children's safety and wellbeing.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last Children Act inspection it was recommended that the childminder should improve areas relating to health, safety, resources, practice and documentation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Children are further protected as the childminder has removed cleaning materials, toiletries, cat feeding tray and made bedrooms inaccessible. She has sited the fire blanket on the wall, developed the documentation to include an up to date register, obtained consent to seek permission to administer medication and emergency medical treatment, thus making some improvement to the care and welfare of children. It was also recommended that the childminder provides a range of resources that reflect positive images and that she updates her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues; this has not been provided, therefore, actions have been raised at this inspection.

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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.

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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 records 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: • ensure that the good health of children is promoted by taking positive steps to prevent children being exposed to a smoke filled environment • assess the risks to children in relation to security of the external doors to the premises and the outside area in relation to an unsafe shed door, accessible glass bottles, flags, bricks and take action to minimise these hazards • improve fire safety precautions by providing a smoke alarm at every level of the house

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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 • increase knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and the responsibilities as a childminder with regard to reporting suspected child abuse and neglect • provide a suitable range of resources and activities to extend the children's learning of diversity • ensure Ofsted are informed of any significant changes to premises 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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