Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY345014 Unique Reference Number 07 June 2007 Inspection date Mandy Gannon 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 and their three children aged eight, five and one years old. They live in a semi-detached house in Blackwater. The property is close to local schools and amenities and there is a park nearby. The ground floor of the house is mainly used for childminding, with sleeping facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two cats as pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time, she currently has three children aged three, five and eight years who attend on a part time basis different days of the week due to shift patterns, term time only. She is not registered to provide overnight care. The childminder will walk or drive to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children. She takes children to the parks, library and a local carer and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children have opportunities to experience a healthy well balanced diet. The childminder provides fruit for snacks and offers home cooked meals with a selection of fresh vegetables. Children

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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 have access to drinks and the childminder reminds children of the need to drink frequently. The childminder ensures that she is aware of any dietary requirements through discussion with parents and carers.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from regular exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle as they have access to an enclosed garden with a wide range of toys and equipment. They frequently visit local parks and walk to and from school. The childminder is aware of individual needs and plans active periods of the day and quieter times to rest.

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Helping children to be healthy

Aspects of children's health is at risk as parents have not given written permission for emergency treatment or advice. The childminder does not currently have a first aid certificate, although has been attempting to access a course.

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Helping children to be healthy

Sound hygiene standards are observed by the childminder as she ensures surfaces are regularly cleaned and wiped with anti bacterial spray. Children have access to hand washing and toilet facilities, that they are able to access independently. Children are aware of health routines and wash their hands after visiting the toilet. Younger children's hands are washed by the childminder before they access food.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are not protected and their safety is at risk due to hazards within the premises which have not been identified by the childminder. For example; medicines and cleaning materials are accessible to children and heavy furniture is not secure and is lent against a wall. Children's safety is not promoted in the garden as children have access to a builder's workshop with tools, tins of paint and empty gas bottles and the back gate is not secure, therefore, allowing access to the front of the property and the road. Children's safety is not promoted in respect of outings, as the vehicle the children are transported in lacks documentation, and permission to transport has not been sought from parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder ensures children learn about road safety when they are walking and promotes how to cross the roads safely. Children have access to a wide range of suitable toys and resources which the childminder checks frequently.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder is able to act in their best interest due to her understanding of child protection. She is aware of procedures to follow and will ensure that she has contact details of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board. The childminder has arranged emergency cover with another childminder and informed parents.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children arrive happily, are settled and select activities. The childminder builds sound relationships with the children and talks to them, showing an interest in what they have been doing. Children have access to a wide variety of toys and resources which they can independently access. The childminder is aware of individual needs, for example she is aware some children prefer quiet play but regularly checks to ensure they are all involved and supports and encourages all their play.

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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 Children develop their confidence and self-esteem as they are praised and encouraged by the childminder. Children are developing an understanding of right from wrong; the childminder uses appropriate strategies according to their age and stage of development to ensure children are aware of house rules. For example, she distracts a baby but would give a detailed explanation to an older child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children participate in activities in the home but regularly take walks to local parks and visit other areas of interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children are at risk as the childminder is unaware of maintaining a complaints record and sharing any concerns with parents and carers. The childminder is unaware of her role and responsibilities in respect of the investigation and recording of complaints and this is a breach of regulation.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a sound partnership with parents and carers where they have regular communication about their child's day. A two-way communication channel is clearly visible and parents receive regular opportunities to discuss any issues and the childminder offers communication diaries if appropriate. Children benefit as the childminder has a clear understanding of children's individual needs which are identified and met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are settled and developing positive relationships with one another, they know each other well through school. The childminder has appropriate strategies in place to manage children's behaviour, offering praise and encouragement, distracting and talking to the child offering explanations depending on their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are developing their understanding of the wider world with posters, toys and resources reflecting positive images of other cultures and ethnicity. The childminder develops and encourages children to discuss topics from school and they share what they are learning about other countries with one another.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Children's safety is compromised as the childminder is unaware of potential safety hazards and has taken insufficient steps to protect children both inside and outside of the home. Children may be at risk as a result of parents' inability to check registration status and conditions as the childminder has failed to display her registration certificate. The childminder does promote positive practice as robust documentation is not in place this includes: permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice; permission to transport children and appropriate car insurance for the car in which children are transported.

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Organisation

Children are settled and secure in the setting. The childminder ensures that the register, accident and medication records are all maintained up to date. The childminder has not yet attended a first aid course as all courses she has applied for have been over subscribed, although hopes to attend one in the near future.

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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

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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 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 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: • ensure positive steps are taken to promote safety within the setting • ensure that positive steps are taken to promote safety on outings • ensure that the registration certificate is displayed • develop an awareness of the procedures to follow in the event of a complaint, maintain a record of any complaints and make details available to parents. 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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