Childminder in Staffordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY300835 Inspection date 05 October 2005 Inspector Elaine Poulton

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and twelve years. She uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently caring for three children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She takes

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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 children out to the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home. Children's health needs are in part met by the childminder having procedures in place and keeping appropriate records. For example, the childminder holds an appropriate first aid certificate and accident and medication records are shared with parents. Children’s continuing good health is at risk since the childminder does not have written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Younger children are offered regular drinks and older children help themselves to fruit squash throughout the day. The childminder takes account of the wishes of parents and is beginning to find out children’s likes and dislikes. Not all children are learning the importance of good food hygiene as they are not always actively encouraged to follow appropriate procedures. Older children look after their own personal care needs and younger children are

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Helping children to be healthy

supported as the childminder uses appropriate resources when attending to nappy change. Younger children’s sleep routines are met as the childminder follows parents’ wishes. Children have opportunities to rest and to be active. They enjoy running across the nearby field and sometimes visit a local ball-pool facility and this contributes to their general good health.

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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 home where risks are not always identified or effectively minimised. Older children can access and use larger pieces of equipment such as a trampoline and younger children can access smaller objects such as fridge magnets. The childminder could not demonstrate adequately how she assesses risks to children, resulting in children’s safety being compromised. Children have access to clean toys and equipment. There is a selection of safety resources in place, such as smoke detectors, a fire blanket and a mesh wire has been secured over the water feature in the garden. Children are encouraged to cross the road safely by using the lolly-pop lady and using the Green Cross Code. The family car is to transport children on occasions, but there is no written parental permission for minded children to be transported in a vehicle.

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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 protected from possible abuse or neglect as the childminder demonstrates a suitable awareness of relevant child protection procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. Younger children are beginning to settle at the childminder's house. They are welcomed by the childminder who is developing a caring relationship with them. The childminder talks to the younger children and joins in with their play. They enjoy making sounds by beating a wooden spoon on a home made shaker. Younger children are encouraged to hold and look at brightly coloured balls and are beginning to learning about different colour, shape and textures. Younger children are held, comforted and distracted when they become restless or upset. There is a limited range of accessible toys for the ages of children minded. The childminder has limited knowledge of planning and organising activities to promote the development of young children, for example through use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework. This results in children's needs not being fully met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children are pleased to see one another, they talk to one another and are beginning make good relationships. The childminder praises older children for behaving well and encourages them to play together. She uses distraction tactics with younger children and finds that the older children need a ten minuet warning signal before tidy up time. The childminder is welcoming to parents and relationships with parents are friendly. She ensures that satisfactory discussion takes place on a regular basis with them to share information. The childminder is not sufficiently clear about her role in actively gathering and sharing information with parents’. Owing to a lack of sufficient understanding of the National Standards, guidelines and supporting criteria the childminder weakens the effectiveness of the care and learning she provides, and furthermore, as a result not all children’s needs being met effectively.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

There is no written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if parents have a complaint.

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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 The childminder does not demonstrate a sufficient understanding of the National Standards or the importance of maintaining appropriate childminding records and documentation adequately. She has not completed a pre-registration course approved by the local authority. This results in her not having a satisfactory understanding of her role and responsibilities as a childminder. Effective risk assessments have not been undertaken this means that the needs of all children who attend are not met. Some written policies and procedures are in place to promote the care and welfare of the children and most are shared with parents. Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the children who attend.

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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: • Request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. • Assess the risks in relation to younger children accessing small items and older children using large pieces of equipment, such as a trampoline and take action to minimise these. • Plan and provide a suitable range of activities for children, which are appropriate for their stage of development and based on their individual needs, for example through use of the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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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 • Make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint and develop methods of gathering and sharing information with parents to ensure all children's needs are well met. • Complete an appropriate registration course approved by the local authority, such as the Introduction to Childcare Practice. • Ensure parents written parental permission is obtained to transport children in a vehicle. • Improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure maintain appropriate childminding records and documentation. • Provide a consistent approach to good food hygiene to promote children's healthy eating and actively encourage a varied and nutritionally balanced diet.

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The quality and standards of the care

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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