Wembley Manor

Inspection report for early years provision

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150848 Unique Reference Number 14 June 2007 Inspection date Coral Hales 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 2001 and lives with her adult son in Farnborough, Hampshire. She child minds from the premises of another childminder also in Farnborough. The whole ground floor of the premises is used for childminding apart from the ground floor bedroom. The upstairs is used for toileting and sleeping only. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone. She is also registered for a maximum of 10 children when co-minding. Together they currently mind seven children under five during the day at various times and five children over five before/after school. Children are collected from a variety of local schools and pre-schools. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm, clean and comfortable home and begin to learn about healthy practices. For example, the older children can manage their own toileting and are generally reminded to wash their hands. Younger children are kept clean with wipes which are used appropriately, however, their independence is not always effectively promoted to help develop their self-help skills. Suitable nappy changing procedures are in place and gloves are now used to prevent cross infection. Children are protected because the childminder has a current first aid certificate and is aware of what to do in an emergency, however, parental consent for emergency medical advice/treatment is not maintained. Children are able to rest as well as play as part of their daily routine and this aids healthy growth and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are appropriately nourished because parents provide for all their needs. The childminder has a suitable understanding of healthy eating and encourages the children to eat fresh fruit and vegetables for snack. Children sit together at mealtimes and this is a social occasion. Drinks are made available to all children whenever they need them and younger ones are encouraged to drink regularly. Children begin to understand about healthy foods through discussions at snack time.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They develop an awareness of a healthy lifestyle as they visit local parks or use the well resourced garden to develop and refine their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The childminder has not considered fire safety procedures. Therefore children are unaware of what to do in an emergency and this compromises their safety. Children are suitably supervised and most potential hazards have been minimised to ensure they are kept safe both inside the home and on outings. For example, they use the garden and larger climbing equipment under the supervision of the childminder. This allows them to take safe risks and develop their confidence.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children move freely between the areas and choose toys to develop their own play ideas. The equipment is suitable for the different ages of minded children and is in good condition and appropriately set out to maintain children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected because the childminder has a working knowledge of child protection issues and is aware of her responsibility for the welfare of the children in her care. However, she is not fully secure in her knowledge of referral processes or of the guidance issued by the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a relaxed environment that enables them to feel secure. They benefit from the good relationships that they have with the childminder. Her verbal interaction supports all children, especially the younger ones and this helps to develop their early language skills

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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 and they are happy in her care. She has limited knowledge of the 'Birth to Three matters' framework and does not currently use it to develop new ideas to support the learning of children under three. These children use a range of colourful and stimulating toys that capture their interest and they play happily. The older children are supported with their learning and use puzzles, books, role-play equipment, the computer and the garden to develop their ideas and enjoy playing with the childminder who helps to extend their learning. After school children have opportunities for free play with their chosen toys, to sit and look at books or relax and watch television. All children enjoy a variety of learning experiences out of doors in the garden and during the holidays they go out on visits to places that interest them. This broadens their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

knowledge and understanding of the world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder is not aware of new regulations relating to complaints. This is a breach of registration, as she is not following requirements to record complaints or share with parents. Children benefit from the positive relationships between the childminder and their parents. Their needs are met because sufficient information about their requirements and routines are discussed before care commences and regularly as it continues. For example, parents and the childminder work closely together to help a child to become toilet trained. Written agreements are in place and this ensures all are clear about their roles and responsibilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are made to feel welcome and as a result are confident, settled and relate well to the childminder and other children. They have access to a small range of appropriate resources that promote equality of opportunity and, through discussion they learn about different lifestyles, customs and disabilities. The childminder has a satisfactory practical awareness of how to include and appropriately care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children begin to understand acceptable boundaries and behave well. Any issues are dealt with in a consistent and relaxed manner. The age and understanding of the child is taken into account and strategies are discussed with parents as necessary.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder in not meeting the National Standards and is in breach of regulations. She has insufficient knowledge of requirements of, and fails to comply with current regulations. She has not informed Ofsted of a person in the household who is now sixteen to enable checks to be carried out to ensure their suitability.

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Organisation

Most documentation is maintained, however, attendance records are not in place. This has implications about the number of children minded at any one time and the hours they attend, which may affect children's safety and welfare.

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Organisation

The organisation of space and resources to meet the needs of the children is satisfactory and allows children flexibility of movement and independence. The garden is effectively used to maximise play and learning opportunities. Although the adult to child ratios are usually maintained the childminder is not clear about requirements when working with another childminder. Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it 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

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has built up her resources to promote positive images of diversity since the last inspection.

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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. 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 that there are effective procedures in place for checking that all adults over the age of 16 are suitable • devise and implement an emergency evacuation procedure • update knowledge and understanding of the new complaints procedure and make parents aware of the system to follow if they have any concerns • ensure that all required records relating to childminding activities are 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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