Childminder in Peterborough

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 257025 Inspection date 05 May 2005 Inspector Melanie Calway

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1996. She lives with her husband, adult son, and daughter, aged eight years in a village near to the town of Peterborough. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding and a fully enclosed rear garden is accessed directly from the house and is available for outdoor play. She collects from and takes children to the local school. The family do not have any pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding eight children, on a part-time basis.

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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 supported by the childminder's use of sound hygiene practise. Regular hand washing is part of the routine and children are cared for in a clean and well-maintained home. Medicine is administered and parental permission has been sought. However there is no system in place to record times and dosages given. Parental consent for emergency medical treatment has not been obtained for all children and this compromises children's welfare. Children are provided with a range of snacks and drinks and are able to access these independently. The baby in her care is given meals and bottles provided by the parents and her sleep and feeding routines are respected by the childminder. Partnership with parents ensures children's special dietary needs can be met.

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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 safe environment. All of the necessary safety equipment is in place, for example, stair gates, cupboard catches and the equipment is safe and suitable. Children know what to do in case of fire as they regularly practise evacuation procedures. The childminder talks to the children about safety rules ensuring they have an understanding of safety issues. A large climbing frame has been erected in the garden but children understand they cannot use part of it until safety mats are in place. A good level of supervision results in risks to children being minimised. Parental permission to transport children in a car has not been obtained. Children's welfare is not safeguarded because the childminder does not have sufficient knowledge of child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a range of activities. After school children often play outside where there is a large climbing frame and easels for creative play. Children can access equipment independently. Inside there is a good range of toys to meet different ages. The childminder rotates equipment so children are kept interested. In the school holidays children benefit from outings to local places of interest. The childminder also attends a local parent toddler group. Children's needs are met because the childminder gets to know the children well. The children are happy and content in her care due to her calm and positive interaction.

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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's needs are met because the childminder works with parents to ensure she knows their routines well enough to care for them effectively. The childminder's experience of working with children with differing needs means that children are treated as individuals and their self esteem is fostered. Children behave well as they understand the rules. The childminder will discuss issues with parents as they arise but has not thought through how to share her behaviour strategies with them. Information about the setting is shared in an informal way.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are cared for in well organised premises and the child minder's schedule is organised to give children a range of different experiences. However she has not ensured that all persons living on the premises have undertaken the clearance procedure which she was asked to do at the last inspection. As a result children are not protected. Some documentation is in place but medicine recording is not carried out to the required standard and parental permission is not sought for emergency medical treatment or transport. This means that the needs of the children who attend are not met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to provide evidence that all persons living on the premises had undertaken the clearance procedure. This has not been done. The childminder was also asked to up-date first aid training. She has booked herself on to a course in July 2005. She was asked to ensure that medicine recording reached the required standard. Although parental permission has been sought she is still not recording doses and times of administration of medicine and parental consent for emergency medical treatment has not been sought for all children. She was asked to practise evacuation procedures with children. This is now done on a regular basis. A safety issue relating to the garden was raised. This has now been addressed and the garden is safe and free from hazards. With regard to behaviour management she was asked to set up an incident record, which has been done and to consider how to share behaviour strategies with

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Improvements since the last inspection

parents. There is still no system in place and communication is limited to discussing issues as they arise.

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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 There are no complaints to report

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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 all persons living on the premises undertake the clearance procedure • keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children, including times and dose administered and obtain parental consent for emergency medical treatment for all children • increase knowledge of child protection procedures 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

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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