Music Stuff

Inspection report for early years provision

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137887 Unique Reference Number 22 May 2007 Inspection date Janet Sharon Williams 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Sandheea Beedassee has been a childminder since 1997. At present she is minding one child aged 6 years. There were no children present during the inspection. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 years and 5 years. They live in a house within walking distance of parks, local shops and bus routes. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children on regular outings to parks and local amenities.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and clean environment, where good hygiene habits are put into practise by everyone at all times to reduce the risk of cross-contamination. Children know they must wash their hands before meals, after using the toilet and outdoor play.

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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 Children have satisfactory healthy and nutritious snacks, such as fruits. Drinks are offered at regular intervals and they can request for one at any time. Their individual dietary requirements are respected through the childminder gathering relevant information from the parents prior placement.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular physical play through outings to the local park and make use of the garden, where they can run and play freely in open space. Although the childminder has effective procedures in place for recording medication administered and accidents, she has no system in place for recording incidents or accidents that occur outside of childminding hours. The childminder has an up to date first aid certificate and a well stocked first aid box to carry out appropriate first aid in event of an accident.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe environment. They are supervised at all times indoors and out. All areas accessible to the children are safe because the childminder has taken the necessary precautions to minimise accidents. For example, a smoke detector is installed, BS approved fire blanket is accessible in the kitchen and sockets not in use are covered. On outings children are advised to hold hands and remain within sight and sound.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children use and play with a good range of toys and equipment appropriate to their age and stage of development. They can help themselves and enjoy what they want to play with, as resources are stored at child's level. The childminder regularly checks toys and equipment to ensure that they are safe and in good condition. For example, dolls, dressing up clothes, puzzles, drawing and colouring materials, a range of board games and large construction bricks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is sufficiently supported through the childminder's satisfactory knowledge of child protection, for example, noting any suspicious marks or bruises and knows the procedure to follow with any concerns of abuse.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children have access and play with a balance of free choice activities and play materials. For example, they role play making cups of tea for the childminder and inspector with the toy tea set available, enjoy the range of board games from the compendium box of games and watch television for a limited period. Children have lots of opportunity to participate in a range of interesting and challenging games and activities that involve and interest them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have positive relationships; they play happily and co-operatively as individuals and in small groups. The childminder's interaction with the children is good. She frequently talks to the children, shows an interest in what the children are doing and asks them what they would they like to do next. Children enjoy coming to the childminder, their individual needs and routines are very well met in an environment where they receive consistent care, which encourages them to progress and develop their independence and self-esteem.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and full of confidence through the childminder respecting the individuality of each child. They experience a varied selection of activities and have access to resources that reflect other cultures and race. For example, children learn French and celebrate Ede, this helps to raise their awareness of other cultures, languages and traditions.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children socialise and form relationships with their peers. They are well behaved though being occupied, stimulated and are aware of right and wrong. The childminder is a good role model; is calm, polite and friendly in her management of the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Although the childminder is aware that some children may have learning disabilities, she has a limited knowledge of the definition of what it means and the process to follow to meet their needs effectively. However she does have a positive attitude towards caring for children with special needs, for example, offer additional support and make relevant adaptation to activities to meet their needs appropriately.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit through the positive friendly relationship the childminder has with the parents. The childminder is available for parents to discuss the needs of their children and she also shares information with them from the school. Parents interviewed indicate that they are happy with the care and support the childminder offers. Although the childminder has effective written agreements in place, formalising arrangements and to ensure that children are looked after in accordance to parent’s wishes. She has not recorded the complaints made to Ofsted by parents. This is a breach of regulation.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a well organised home providing suitable areas for rest, play, sleeping and time outdoors. They are cared for according to their needs because the childminder's child ratio is well maintained, which positively supports children's care learning and play. All household members over the age of 16 years have been suitably cleared.

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Organisation

Most of the mandatory and recommended documentation is detailed and kept up to date and the childminder uses the information she holds to promote children's well being.

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Organisation

The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children; ensure children's attendance record is well maintained and that details include children's full names and their arrival and departure times recorded; improve fire regulations by maintaining the smoke alarms and ensuring that it is in working order and provide a range of books reflecting positive images of disability. All have been satisfactorily addressed to safe guard the children and to positively support their learning and play.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been two complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider to take action to meet the National Standards. The complaints related to National Standard 1: suitability and National Standard 2: organisation. An inspector visited and concerns were raised over National Standard 14: the retaining of childminding records for up to two years from the date of entry, daily record of the names of the children being looked after, their hours of attendance including arrival and departure times, the name of persons looking after them and to ensure records are accessible for inspection. National Standard 6: the supervision of children maintained and National Standard 12: terms of agreement with parents that set out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the children. As a result the childminder put into place effective procedures for maintaining children's attendance, they are supervised

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Complaints since the last inspection

at all times and written terms of agreements have been put into place formalising arrangements with parents. Effectively Ofsted was satisfied that by taking these steps the provider remained qualified for registration at the time the investigations were closed.

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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. The provider has not recorded all complaints made to Ofsted by parents.

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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 satisfactory. The registered person meets 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 further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • provide a system for recording incidents and accidents that occur outside childminding hours • improve knowledge and understanding of issues surrounding child protection • improve awareness and knowledge of children with learning disabilities • put procedures in place to record all complaints made to Ofsted by parents

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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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