Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY341693 Unique Reference Number 23 May 2007 Inspection date Jane Davenport 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 partner and three children, aged 11, 12 and 17 years in the Highmans Park area of the London Borough of Waltham Forest. The whole of the premises, with the exception of the loft rooms, is 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 is registered to care for a maximum of two children under eight at any one time and is currently minding two children on a part time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has two cats and a dog. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. The children's health is not adequately promoted as, although the childminder provides a clean, hygienic environment indoors and encourages children to follow appropriate hygiene routines,

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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 such as washing their hands before eating and after visiting the toilet, the garden is not cleared of dog faeces every day before children play outside. This puts children at risk of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a sickness policy in place and understands that children who are infectious should not attend. However, in practice, a child with chickenpox is allowed to attend the provision and, although this is with the consent of the parents of other children, it is not generally good practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are mostly protected in terms of first aid, as the childminder has sufficient systems in place to record accidents and medication and is aware of sharing these records with parents. However, she has not received consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment, which could impact on the care of a child in the event of serious accident or emergency. The childminder's First Aid certificate has expired. She is aware of this and is currently awaiting notification of the next available course. She was able to demonstrate her understanding of satisfactory actions to take when children may require first aid. This means she is confident to provide appropriate care at these times.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder works with parents regarding the provision of meals and snacks and some parents choose to provide their children's food. She is aware of children's individual dietary requirements, although these are not recorded. Children benefit from a healthy, well balanced diet, including salads, fresh fruit and yoghurts, and fresh drinking water is always available for them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Regular outings to the park, where there is large play equipment, give children plenty of opportunity to develop their physical skills and to learn how their bodies work. They have opportunities for walking the dog with the childminder and are also able to attend swimming sessions at a local pool.

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Helping children to be healthy

The young children receive lots of warmth and affection. The under threes develop a healthy dependence on the childminder who is receptive to their individual needs. She has built warm, trusting relationships, helping the children feel secure.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children benefit from playing in a spacious, well organised environment. The childminder risk assesses her home informally to ensure it remains a safe place for the children to play and regular visual checks of toys and resources ensure there are no broken parts that could harm a child. All the toys and resources are stored in easily accessible drawers for the children to choose from independently and are carefully selected to ensure they are suitable for the ages of minded children. However, some items, such as books, are very limited and, although the childminder visits the library to borrow books, on the day of the inspection the only available books were ones the children had brought from home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children can, mostly, move around safely as the childminder has addressed a range of potential hazards. For example, doors and safety gates are used to prevent access to certain areas of the home. Dangerous liquids are stored inaccessibly to the children and the childminder has considered her emergency evacuation plan, although this has not yet been consolidated in writing.

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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 The childminder has an appropriate understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child. She ensures that parents are aware of her responsibilities to safeguard the children in her care. However, children are not fully safeguarded, in the event of a child protection concern or if information is required about their historical attendance, as she does not maintain records of attendance. This is a breach of a regulation.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very settled at the childminder's home and happily engage in the stimulating activities provided. For example, they enjoy splashing in and out of the paddling pool, making the dinosaurs "swim" and practising their pouring skills with the jugs and colanders provided.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children benefit from their time together. They communicate and cooperate well and are developing good relationships with each other and with the childminder. There is a very warm interaction between them, and the childminder effectively predicts and responds to the children's needs.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder encourages the children's language development as she routinely talks about what she, and they, are doing. She provides an appropriate level of questioning enabling them to begin to learn how to express themselves.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children feel valued because the childminder treats them as individuals and shows each child an equal level of care and respect. The childminder explains that she talks to the children about diversity in the world around them. However, there are limited opportunities for them to learn about other cultures, backgrounds or religions because, although she does have some multi racial dolls, the available resources are not generally selected to reflect these.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has not cared for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, she demonstrated a positive attitude to including all children and would research and assess her ability to provide a good level of care to meet all children's specific needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder adopts a calm approach and provides gentle explanations to ensure even very young children understand right from wrong and the appropriate boundaries. She uses lots of praise and encouragement to reinforce positive behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are welcomed into the home and are provided with a selection of written polices and procedures to inform them of how the provision is managed. However, the childminder has not requested a range of parental consents to ensure she is fully aware of their wishes.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder does not keep attendance records and does not display her certificate. Therefore parents are unaware of all conditions of registration, which could lead to issues such as over minding. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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 home is effectively organised to provide a child centred environment for the children to play happily and the childminder shows a clear understanding of her role in supporting the children in their play and learning. The day is well-planned allowing children time for quiet and active play. Children are happy in the childminder's care as she gets to know them and their families well. However this sometimes means that the professional responsibilities of her role are overlooked. For example, she has not completed contracts or children's records and contact details are stored in her phone.

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Organisation

She has devised a number of written policies and procedures to share with parents, but has not yet effectively put them into practice.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action 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: • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • assess the health risks to children in relation to dog faeces in the garden and take action to minimise these • ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are appropriately maintained, readily accessible and available for inspection at all times 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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