Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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222624 Unique Reference Number 20 June 2007 Inspection date Denise May Smith 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 in a Fenland town in Cambridgeshire. The whole of the bungalow 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 two children under five and one child over five on a part-time basis. The childminder drives to the local school to take and collect children and attends the local toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children's good health is not promoted well because the childminder has not renewed her first aid certificate, which expired last year. This limits her ability to respond appropriately should an accident occur. The childminder has some procedures in place to record any medication given to children. However, she does not consistently obtain written consent from the parents

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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 prior to administering this to the children and she does not record sufficient details relating to the medication to underpin the care provided. The childminder verbally discusses with parents her sick child policy, but this is not sufficiently in depth to fully keep parents informed.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has an effective approach to health and hygiene and reduces the risk of cross-infection by ensuring that her home is clean and generally well-maintained. Children learn about the importance of staying healthy through the childminder's support and guidance; they use wipes to clean their hands before meals and after using the toilet. This helps to prevent cross-infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are met throughout the day as the childminder provides regular drinks to keep them hydrated. Parents generally provide the food that they wish their child to eat. All children learn to lead a generally healthy lifestyle. They enjoy daily exercise such as playing with bats and balls or playing in the garden with swing balls, scooters, cars and buggies. This promotes physical exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children have use of an appropriate range of developmentally appropriate toys, equipment and resources which the childminder checks regularly to ensure they are safe for them to use. Toys are stored under the bed in the children’s bedroom and on some low-level shelving. Children confidently pull out the boxes and make choices in their play. Garden toys are stored in the play house and again, children access these toys as they wish.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are supervised well and play safely in the childminder's home. The childminder has an appropriate understanding of safety issues and has minimised most risks in her home to ensure children are safe. For example, low-level sockets are protected and the premises are kept secure. However, hazardous cleaning items are stored in a cupboard which is accessible to children which exposes them to unnecessary risks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children learn how to keep themselves safe because the childminder explains about dangers, both indoors and on outings. For example, young children learn that they must stop at the road and follow the Green Cross Code.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has developed her understanding of child protection procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy warm and positive relationships with the childminder, who offers them appropriate support during the time spend in her care. Children busy themselves choosing activities that interest them such as the playing on the sit and ride toys and using the scooters in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to a basic range of toys and resources which are developmentally appropriate for the age of the children cared for. They choose books to read and enjoy using the box of bricks and puzzles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Appropriate support and encouragement helps children to develop their levels of confidence and self-esteem. They learn what they can do and know when to ask for help. Children enjoy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 opportunities for large physical play. They play in the garden and visit the local green to play ball games. In the summer they visit the seaside and local activity parks where they can be active in a stimulating environment.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder has not updated her knowledge in line with the regulations relating to the way in which complaints are dealt with. She does not have procedures in place to record any complaints made or an understanding of what this process entails. As a result parents are not kept informed or up to date with the service she offers. Contracts and records relating to children are maintained and contain information about the children to enable appropriate care to be given to them. Information is shared at the beginning and end of the day to keep parents informed of what their children have been doing during their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Resources and activities which reflect our diverse society are limited, but the childminder is able to help children gain a basic understanding of the wider world. Children are cared for in an environment where all children are treated with equal concern and are valued as individuals. Appropriate arrangements are in place for new parents and children, which help them to settle and become familiar with the childminder and her home.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and are mostly appropriately supported by the childminder. Children are encouraged to tidy away their toys so that they begin to develop respect for property and are encouraged to say 'please' and 'thank you'.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children's needs are not sufficiently promoted because some aspects of the childminder's organisation do not support and underpin the care offered. The childminder has not renewed her first aid certificate, is not fully aware of the required procedures for administering medication, is not familiar with and does not have procedures in place relating to the way complaints are dealt with. All of these directly impact on the care of the children and the partnership she has with parents.

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Organisation

Children are cared for in a generally safe environment and can make choices in their play from the basic range of toys available. Well-established routines and long term care arrangements ensure children feel a sense of belonging and are settled and secure. Most documentation is in place and regularly reviewed.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to, improve hygiene practices regarding nappy changing and hand washing and to provide children with opportunities for painting and messy play. Children now use wipes to ensure their hands are clean and are no longer in nappies. However the childminder described appropriate nappy changing practices. She still does not provide painting and messy play in the house but takes the children to toddler groups where they have this type of play and they now also attend pre-school where they experience a range

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Improvements 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 of activities. Overall, some aspects of the recommendations made at the last inspection have been acted on and have improved the quality of care provided.

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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 record 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: • provide an action plan showing how you are going to complete an appropriate first aid course • ensure consent is always obtained from parents prior to the administration of any medication, and ensure records of any medication to be given to children contain sufficient detail to underpin the care provided • make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint 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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