Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY245644 Unique Reference Number 27 July 2007 Inspection date Maura Pigram 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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and three children age 14, 13 and seven years in West Watford. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is access to a secure garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding four children. The family have fish as pets.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from an appropriate range of activities that contribute to their good health. They enjoy fresh air as they walk to and from school occasionally visiting parks on their return. During fine weather they play ball games in the garden. In school holidays they are able to enjoy visiting parks more regularly. This promotes their physical development as they run and play on the slides and swings. Children's awareness of personal hygiene is effectively promoted. They are reminded to wash their hands after using the toilet and shoes are removed when they come indoors. Children can rest and sleep according to their needs and individual bedding is used for each child. This means that they develop sound personal hygiene habits.

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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 generally have their health and dietary needs met because the childminder works with parents. However, she does not always ensure that provided food is healthy and nutritious. This means that children's health is not effectively promoted. She is aware of allergies and dietary requirements which are discussed and recorded. They are protected from infection and are taken care of if they become ill because the childminder follows appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. For example, there is a clear policy in place regarding exclusion of children who have a contagious illness and the childminder has a current first aid certificate.

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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 warm and welcoming environment. They have sufficient and comfortable space in which to play and rest. Some potential hazards have been addressed through the use of a fire guard and socket covers. However, easy access to the kitchen and no stair gate at the top of the stairs pose a potential hazard to toddlers or to older children waking from a nap. Children learn how to keep themselves safe when on outings. They use appropriate car seats and are taught awareness of road safety when walking to school and the park. Children are closely supervised although they are allowed to play with a car seat indoors. This is a potential hazard as children can easily fall or trip over it.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has increased her resources which are checked for damage regularly. Small parts are kept away from younger children. Toys such as bikes and cars are not always protected from elements of weather conditions. As a result, they are a potential hazard and are not always suitable for the children to enjoy. Children's safety and welfare is protected because the childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection reporting procedures. She is aware of procedures to follow if she had any concerns. Current policy incorporates the requirements of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Consequently, children's welfare is well protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle and become happy in the setting because the childminder treats them as part of her family and provides a relaxed environment in which they can feel at home. They generally participate in an appropriate range of activities that promote their development. However, occasionally computer games dominate some children's activities. Consequently, this is a distraction to other children's play. Some resources are appropriately stored so that children can make decisions, explore and investigate. Younger children particularly like playing with imaginative toys such as dolls and completing jigsaws. During this time they are encouraged to share toys. As a result, they develop self-esteem, learn how to play co-operatively with each other and learn right from wrong.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Outdoors, children enjoy playing cricket and exploring the play house. Children regularly socialise with others outside the setting attending local toddler groups. They occasionally visit the book library. The childminder has recently completed training on the 'Birth to three matters' framework and is starting to use ideas from this in her practice. For example, she has developed her resources so that children are able to use props during 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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and included at all times. They have their individual needs met because the childminder has a close relationship with the parents and carers. They easily settle on arrival and confidently play with the childminder's own children. As a result, children feel a sense of belonging. The childminder has some experience of caring for children with leaning difficulties and/or disabilities. She works closely with parents and outside agencies. This means that children are supported in reaching their potential. There is a system in place to record any complaints which complies with the requirements of the National Standards. This means that parents are aware of the procedures to follow if they have any concerns regarding the welfare of their children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder includes children in the celebration of her own beliefs and its associated festival. The children have access to some resources that reflect diversity. However, these are limited. This means that children potentially do not fully develop an understanding of the wider world.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. They are encouraged to share toys and to take turns during their play. The childminder uses various strategies appropriate for children’s stage of development and individual level of understanding. This is discussed with parents. This means that children learn to respond to appropriate expectations for their behaviour.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a relaxed environment where they can eat, sleep, rest and play in comfort. Children feel very at ease with the flexible childminder and have a close relationship with her. Consequently, they feel secure and settled. They are confident to access the available resources and are happy to ask for support when necessary.

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Organisation

The childminder has a positive outlook. She has developed her awareness of the National Standards by completing a portfolio. This is shared with parents and carers. Consequently, appropriate documentation is maintained which work in practice to promote children’s health, safety, enjoyment, achievement and ability to make a positive contribution. Overall children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the childminder was asked to; ensure appropriate routines are in place so that children are safe when eating and promote independence; ensure hazardous items such as knifes and scissors are inaccessible to children; and ensure children's development is promoted through a wide range of stimulating, accessible resources and activities that provide challenge.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Most of these requests have been met. The children routinely sit at the table to have their meals, a highchair is used for younger children. As a result, mealtimes are a social occasion, children are safe when eating and there are able to develop independent skills as they eat their food. The knives and scissors are now stored out of reach of young children. The childminder has acquired age-appropriate resources which are now easily accessible to the children. These include jigsaws, transport toys, construction materials, dolls and colouring books. They are able to carry out planned activities such as modelling with play dough and printing. In addition, the

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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 childminder regularly uses the services of the toy library. Consequently, the children's development is generally promoted. During this inspection it was found that some children's play is interrupted by the use of computer games. Therefore, a further recommendation regarding children's activities has been set.

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Complaints since the last inspection

On the 1st November 2006 Ofsted received concerns relating to the childminder not meeting children's personal hygiene needs and not managing behaviour appropriately. An unannounced visit was conducted on 22 November 2006 to investigate the concern in relation to National Standards 3 (Care, Learning and Play), 11 (Behaviour), 12 (Working in Partnership with Parents and Carers) and 13 (Child Protection).

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Complaints since the last inspection

As a result of the visit, evidence was gathered to confirm that the National Standards were not being met. It was also found that the childminder was in breach of her conditions of registration, she was caring for four children under the age of five years, when only registered to care for two children under the age of five.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder was given 12 actions to comply with in order to meet the National Standards. The childminder was cautioned for the breach of her conditions of registration, as this is an offence. She was interviewed under caution. The decision was taken not to prosecute the childminder for this offence but the childminder was issued with a formal warning letter.

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Complaints since the last inspection

A monitoring visit was carried out to the childminder’s premises on the 01 December 2006 to ensure that the childminder had met all the actions given. The visit showed that the childminder had completed the actions and was now meeting the National Standards. The provider remains qualified for registration.

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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 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): • ensure snacks and meals that are provided for children are healthy and nutritious • ensure reasonable steps are taken to ensure that hazards such as the car seat in the play area, belts on beds are minimised and ensure a stair gate is used at the top of the stairs • develop activities and play opportunities to allow children to build on their imagination and language development

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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 knowledge on providing activities and play materials which reflect diversity.

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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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