Lift Greensward

Inspection report for early years provision

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135652 Unique Reference Number 23 July 2007 Inspection date Julia Louise Crowley 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 1991. She operates from a residential house, the owner and his two sons aged 11 and 13 years old, live on the premises. The house is situated in Enfield within the London Borough of Enfield. The whole of the ground floor of the house and a first floor bathroom is used for childminding. There is not a fully enclosed garden for outside play however children are taken to parks and outdoor venues on a daily basis, weather permitting.

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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 and is currently minding four children under eight, three on a full time basis and one on a part time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She 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 inadequate. Children are cared for in a clean home where routine practices benefit the children's health. For example, the childminder cleans surfaces with an anti bacterial spray, encourages children to wash their hands before eating and after messy play, in addition she ensures parents are aware that children should not attend if unwell or contagious. Children are protected in the event of an accident or illness, because the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and has a reasonable knowledge of appropriate treatment. Additionally, documentation to support the child's care, for example consent for the administration of medication and a system for recording administration of medicines is not in place consequently proper care following parent's instructions are not assured, children are at risk. The childminder is aware to record accidents and to share these records with parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a generally healthy diet. They enjoy snacks which the childminder provides for example, fruit, toast, cheese and occasionally biscuits. Children during school holidays spent a majority of the time with the childminder away from the setting. Generally meals are from supermarkets and fast food restaurants where the nutritional content of meals is not always clear, this compromises children's health. Children mostly ask for drinks and the childminder will provide. Older children however, are not offered sufficient opportunities to make choices for themselves and can not independently access drinks consequently children to not develop an understanding of what their body needs and how to cater for them.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have some opportunities to develop their physical skills and access fresh air, mostly during the summer months. Organised trips to the park enable children to play with balls and on the large outdoor equipment. There is no access to the garden area and opportunities to develop physical skills indoors are few due to limited space. As a result, the childminder uses local ball parks, local childcare groups and other childminders homes to offer opportunities for exercise indoors.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play securely in a familiar environment where they play with a small range of toys and resources that offer limited variety and challenge. Children access those that are available confidently, but storage does not fully support children being able to make independent choices and develop their play. For example toys are accessible from toy boxes that have other objects on top of them and the content is often jumbled making decision making difficult.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Although some safety equipment is in place, risk assessments are not always fully effective in maintaining safety standards; for example some potentially hazardous items are accessible to the children therefore compromising their safety. The childminder has devised some systems that promote children's safety for example, emergency evacuation drill.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are generally well protected as the childminder has a reasonable knowledge of the physical and emotional signs, which could indicate child protection concerns. There are appropriate procedures and policies in place to record and report any concerns.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. The children are settled in the home however they have insufficient access to a satisfactory range of resources and play materials. The lack of consistent planning means that the variety of activities available is limited and does not support children's' interests in all areas of play.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder does not supports the children to explore and experiment through a range of planned or spontaneous activities. Younger children pick up random toys while older children play with toys that are not age appropriate and offer them limited challenge or gain. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of the younger child's interest in drawing and creative activities yet there is a limited selection of tools and resources in order for the child to gain from the experience.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Younger children attend local childcare groups where their mix and enjoy the company of other children. Children enjoy listening to stories and sharing books with their friends and the childminder. Children benefit from a warm trusting relationship with the childminder who knows them well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder's limited understanding and knowledge of diversity does not support the children's understanding of cultures, religions and abilities. The children are unable to play with sufficient toys and play equipment that represent different people with disabilities and different backgrounds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated as individuals because the childminder acknowledges their differing personalities. Children benefit from adequate praise and encouragement and are supported to learn important social skills, such as taking turns and sharing for example, when playing with action figures on the carpet.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder works closely with parents and cared for the children since they were young babies. Parents have access to some copies of the policies and procedures however not all policies are in place therefore parents are not fully informed. For example the complaints procedure and system for recording complaints is out of date.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are relaxed in the childminder’s care because the childminder is warm and loving towards them and know the children well.

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Organisation

The childminder demonstrates a poor understanding of the National Standards. The premises has been risk assessed by the childminder and several areas have been made inaccessible to minded children however Ofsted has not been informed of these significant events, which is a breech of a regulation. Consequently children's space is limited and the organisation of planning and resources is ineffective. Play equipment and toys are not sufficient to support the children's ages and stages of development.

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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 warm and welcoming and despite some minor safety issues, provides a safe environment for minded children however potentially dangerous substances are accessible to the children therefore compromising their safety.

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Organisation

Children are safeguarded as all other adults in the home have undergone checks to assess their suitability. Children's hours of attendance however, are not accurately recorded consequently children are not protected should there be a need to check historical records. The childminder has some required documentation in place however an up to date complaints procedure, consent and recording of the administration of medicines is not available, therefore compromising children's health and not fully informing parents. The childminder has identified training that she feels will improve the quality of care she offers. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to notify Ofsted of any changes, in persons living in the household where childminding takes place and initiate required vetting procedures particularly checks, on all persons over the age of sixteen. This was completed and all relevant information was provided to complete the relevant checks by the childminder consequently children are protected.

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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: • plan and provide a suitable range of toys and activities for children, which are appropriate for their stage of development and based on their individual needs • obtain written permission and keep a written record, signed by parents, of medicines given to children • provide a complaints procedure and system for recording complaints that is in line with current legislation • develop knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and provide a range of positive representation of gender, culture and disabilities within play resources and equipment

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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 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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