Childminder in Merton

Inspection report for early years provision

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153884 Unique Reference Number 26 June 2007 Inspection date Sandra Patricia Jeffrey 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?

The childminder has been registered since 2001. She lives with her husband and three sons aged 16, 11 and three years. Their house is situated in the London borough of Merton. They are a few minutes walk from local shops, schools, toddler groups, Mitcham Common, and Mitcham Tramway. All rooms are used for childminding except for the master bedroom. There is also a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have no pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Merton childminding association. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time and there were two children on roll at the time of the inspection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in an environment that is clean and welcoming. Young children are beginning to learn about the importance of personal hygiene, but are not always reminded or assisted to wash their hands before eating. This does not promote good hygiene practice and

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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 places the children at risk from infection and/or contamination. There are suitable procedures in place for nappy changing and toileting, which allow older children to gain independence.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has sound knowledge of children’s development and encourages children to enjoy a range of daily physical activities, including playing on the slide and trampoline in the garden and walking to local schools and parks. Regular physical exercise contributes to keeping children healthy.

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Helping children to be healthy

Parents know from discussion with the childminder, that they should not bring their children if they are unwell, this helps to prevent the unnecessary spread of disease. Children's health is further protected because the childminder obtains appropriate consents to give medication if required and has effective systems in place to keep records of any accidents. There is however, no procedure for the recording of details of existing injuries to minded children. This does not foster good practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

The procedures in place for administering medication to children are effective and this safeguards children's health and welfare. The childminder holds a valid first aid certificate which also promotes children's wellbeing. The contents of the first aid box however, are insufficient and also contain some open and out of date dressings, this compromises children's health and safety.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has discussed arrangements with parents in relation to any action she would take in a medical emergency. However, she has not specifically obtained written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. This may hamper the childminder's effectiveness in meeting the children's needs fully in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children receive a range of healthy meals and snacks including fish with potatoes and vegetables and fresh fruit or yogurts for dessert. Drinks of squash and water are available. The childminder keeps a list of foods that the children do not eat in the kitchen for easy reference. By following parental wishes and the children’s choice, the childminder ensures that food meets all of the children’s dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from playing in a safe and spacious environment. This allows them to move around and play freely. Children choose from a satisfactory range of toys and activities, which the childminder ensures are suitable for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children benefit from a range of safety measures, for example, socket covers are in place in low level power points and a safety gate is fitted at the foot of the stairs to prevent unsupervised access to the first floor. The childminder is aware of the need to ensure windows on the first floor are kept locked if children have access to this area of the home, for example, for toilet purposes. Close supervision enables young children to play safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Sharp knives and cleaning materials are stored out of children's reach and the children are not permitted to access the kitchen when cooking is taking place. These precautions safeguard the children's safety. Fire safety arrangements are in place, including the presence of two smoke alarms and a fire blanket. However, an emergency evacuation plan is not in place, and has not been practised with the minded children. This affects the childminder's ability to act quickly in the event of an emergency and does not promote children's 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 Children are safeguarded in relation to child protection issues because the childminder has a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities and has clear knowledge of local procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children know what activities are available for them to play with and enjoy playing with resources such as the cars, building bricks, colouring materials and play dough. The childminder gives the children appropriate support and the children enjoy the time they spend in the childminder's home. She spends time talking and playing with the children, joining in with activities such as looking through Thomas the Tank Engine books, and helping the children to identify the various characters.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Post Man Pat and Thomas the Tank Engine videos are a favourite with the children and are used when children are becoming tired or restless. Children take part in a variety of activities both inside and outside of the home, including trips to local parks to feed the ducks and farms such as Dean City Farm. This contributes to their development and extends their environmental experiences and learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met by the childminder who ensures that she finds out about the children's needs and interests before they start. Children play with a limited range of toys and resources that reflect positive images of the wider community, such as books and dolls which depict different races. These give children some opportunities to gain an insight into our multi cultural society. The childminder has not cared for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but displayed a positive attitude to caring for children with such needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Appropriate strategies, according to the age of the children are in place and help children understand right from wrong. Explanations and removal from the situation are the main forms used by the childminder. Relationships with parents are friendly and the childminder demonstrated a clear understanding of the benefits of working in partnership with parents. Effective two way communication through daily discussions ensures continuity of care for the children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware of recent changes in legal requirements in relation to complaints and investigations. She is aware that she is to make available to parents details of the procedure to follow if they have any cause for concern about the service they receive or the care of their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of her role in supporting the children in their play and learning. The children benefit from a generally well-organised environment where they can move freely and safely around the home because effective safety precautions are in place. These considerations help children to make the most of the play and learning opportunities provided for them.

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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 Hygiene practices when the children are eating are not always rigorous enough to reduce the risk of cross infection and/or contamination. Whilst some of the documents required to promote the health, safety and welfare of the children are in place, written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment has not been sought and details of existing injuries to minded children are not recorded. A valid first aid certificate is held, but first aid equipment is insufficient and children have not practised an emergency evacuation procedure. These issues may have an adverse impact on the safety and wellbeing of the children.

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Organisation

Information about the children and their families is treated in a sensitive and confidential manner. Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve her practice by ensuring that the attendance register was completed on a daily basis and that parents were provided with Ofsted's contact details. The master bedroom door was also to be made safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has now ensured that the above records are kept up to date and that parents are made aware of how to contact Ofsted should they wish to. The master bedroom door has also been made safe. These actions improve the organisation of the setting and therefore contribute to the safety and wellbeing of the children.

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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. 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 then 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 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): • improve hygiene practices when children are eating to reduce the risk of cross infection/contamination • request written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and ensure the contents of the first aid box are checked frequently and replaced as necessary • record details of existing injuries to minded children

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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 • develop an emergency evacuation procedure to be practised with the minded children

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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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