Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY240972 Unique Reference Number 24 May 2007 Inspection date Angela Dyer 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 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, 10 and eight years in Shirley, Solihull. There are shops and schools within easy walking distance. The whole of the ground floor, upstairs children's bedroom and bathroom are used for childminding purposes. 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding four children, some of whom attend on a part-time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a hygienic and well-maintained environment. Their welfare is promoted through effective procedures which protect them from infection. For example, children use anti-bacterial hand gel before having their snack and paper towels are provided for hand drying

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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 to reduce the risk of cross-infection. The childminder is first aid trained and demonstrates a sound understanding of how she would deal with minor accidents and the importance of keeping written records. However, although parents give verbal consent for their children to be given medication this is not always sought in writing prior to her administering it which may in turn compromise their health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop an awareness of how to keep healthy through being active as they enjoy fun activities such as action games, dancing to music and visits to the local park. The childminder understands the physical needs of the youngest children being cared for and provides plenty of space for babies and toddlers to roll and crawl. Children are able to have quiet time for sleeping or relaxing throughout the day and benefit from the childminder's flexible daily routines, which ensures that their individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet and are able to access drinks throughout the day. Parents provide most food, with the childminder providing nutritious snacks including a variety of fresh fruits. Food provided by parents is stored in the fridge. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the importance of ensuring that foods are stored appropriately and at the correct temperature to protect children from food contamination.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has identified and minimised potential hazards within the home, which allows children to move around safely and independently. Appropriate safety measures have been put in place including smoke alarms and socket covers. A fire evacuation procedure has been developed and practised so that the childminder is confident that children can leave the home quickly in an emergency. However, children's welfare is not fully protected as the childminder does not have valid public liability insurance.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is a good range of toys and equipment which are clean, in good condition and suitable for the ages and stages of development of the children in the childminder's care. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe because the childminder discusses safe practices with the children, including road safety when on outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is promoted and safeguarded because the childminder has a sound understanding of how to protect children. She is aware of the known signs and symptoms of possible child abuse and is aware of her role and responsibility to protect the children in her care. The childminder has informed parents of the procedures so that they know what action she will take if she has any concerns about their children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder enjoys the company of the children and they benefit from her enthusiasm in her role as childminder. Planning is flexible as the childminder responds daily to the children’s moods and individual requests for their favourite activities. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of child development, this in turn means that children of all ages are offered a wide range of stimulating activities. Children enjoy sharing books with the childminder and become excited as they experiment and explore the properties of playdough. The childminder is skilled in introducing new language and extending children's play through her questioning and involvement. Children also enjoy weekly trips to local toddler groups where they are able

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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 to engage in further activities and socialise with other children. Children's artwork is proudly displayed in the room and they are provided with encouragement and praise consistently through the day, which in turn develops their confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and form close relationships with the childminder due to the close attention they receive. The childminder involves herself in the children's play and there are lots of cuddles and playful interactions throughout the day. Children's daily routines, likes, dislikes, favourite toys and comforters are recognised and acknowledged by the childminder who responds sensitively by ensuring children's needs are appropriately met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder helps children to learn about the world in which they live through open discussions and the provision of a suitable range of toys and resources, reflecting different cultures and abilities. Positive images displayed around the play room, in the form of posters, also enhances children's awareness of diversity. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the importance of working in partnership with parents and other professionals to meet the needs of children with disabilities or learning difficulties.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are confident and form close relationships with the childminder. The childminder has an appropriate range of strategies in place to deal with children's behaviour, including distraction, praise and encouragement. Children are well behaved and are encouraged to share and be kind to each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Prior to children starting most parents complete children's record forms detailing their expectations in relation to the care of their child, emergency contact details, doctors details and consents. However, this has not been completed for all children and therefore the childminder has insufficient information to enable her to fully meet children's individual needs and provide continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children benefit from the childminder's caring nature. The childminder has recently updated her first aid knowledge through attending training and intends to complete an NVQ level 3 course in early years to further enhance her understanding of child care issues.

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Organisation

The home is well maintained and the playroom is a bright and welcoming room. The childminder has ensured that all adults in the household have been suitably checked. However, at the time of inspection, the childminder was in breach of the conditions of her registration, by caring for more children under the age of five years than she is registered for.

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Organisation

The childminder has devised a number of written policies to assist parents in understanding the service she provides. However, children's information and records are insufficiently maintained as the childminder does not hold records on all of the children she cares for, therefore compromising their well-being. Overall, children's needs are not met.

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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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to complete a first aid course and improve safety in relation to fire safety. The childminder has completed a first aid course to enable her to deal with minor accidents effectively. She has also improved fire safety by fitting a smoke alarm on the first floor, a fire blanket in the kitchen and through practising the fire evacuation procedure with children to enhance their awareness of what to do in an emergency. The childminder has also implemented a written complaints procedure and log, and has developed her understanding of what to do in the event an allegation was made against herself or a member of the household.

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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.

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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: • comply with conditions of registration, regarding the number of children under five years who may be cared for at any one time • ensure that the name, home address and date of birth of each child looked after on the premises is recorded • develop an effective partnership with all parents so that all required information is obtained to enable children's individual needs to be met. 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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