Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY274397 Unique Reference Number 16 August 2007 Inspection date Pamela Bailey 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 2003. She lives with her partner, who is also a registered childminder, and two children aged nine and 13 years old. They live in the London Borough of Lambeth. The whole of the childminder's house is used for minding. 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 a maximum of three children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five years all day. All children attend on a part time basis. The childminder attends the local children's groups and walks to local parks.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Babies and young children's good health is promoted well in most areas. Their emotional well being is promoted through the caring relationship that the childminder establishes with them.

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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 They feel secure and happy in their environment and are developing a sense of belonging. The childminder is attentive to their emotional needs, supporting and encouraging their development. Children are able to seek and receive reassurance from the childminder and they are confident and secure in her care. They are beginning to develop a good sense of themselves as the childminder interacts positively with them, she gives them cuddles and smiles, acknowledging and valuing them as individuals.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies and young children are developing healthy eating habits from a young age. They receive freshly prepared meals that take account of their individual dietary requirements and age and stage of development. They enjoy healthy snacks such as fresh fruit and bread sticks and receive plenty of drinks throughout the day. This contributes to their physical well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has clear procedures in place to ensure that children are not unduly exposed to infectious diseases. However, she does not always ensure that baby's hands are washed or cleaned before eating to prevent cross infection. She gathers all relevant information relating to children's health to ensure that their dietary and medical needs are met. However, she has not yet updated her training in first aid.

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Helping children to be healthy

Babies and young children have plenty of opportunities to practice and develop their gross motor skills. Babies are well supported to gain confidence in learning to walk and outings to the children's groups and parks where there are wheeled toys and climbing equipment gives babies and younger children opportunities to develop their coordination, balance and control which contributes to a healthy lifestyle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Babies and young children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. They are able to move around and play freely and have easy access a good range of toys and resources suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder is vigilant about safety and has taken positive steps to ensure that her home is safe and potential risks and hazards are minimised or inaccessible to the children. For example, socket covers, safety gates on entrance to kitchen, top and bottom of stairs and the entrance is secure to prevent children from leaving the premises unsupervised. The childminder is currently in the process of renewing the public liability insurance which has expired.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are learning how to keep themselves safe through the clear guidance that the childminder provides. For example, children learn about emergency evacuation as they regularly practise the emergency evacuation procedures. This helps children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded and protected. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures for reporting any concerns. There are clear procedures in place in the event of a child becoming lost and to ensure children who are at risk of harm are protected.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder uses her knowledge and understanding of how babies and young children develop and learn to provide meaningful experiences and play opportunities. Children are

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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 learning and developing good communication skills as the childminder sits with them at their level and is attentive to their means of communication by listening and responding to them in a positive way which encourages children to express themselves through words and gestures. Babies enjoy sharing books with the childminder and take an interest by pointing to objects.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies have fun as they explore objects in the treasure basket and experiment with different textured resources and sound making instruments. They are developing their imaginative skills as they role play using mobile phones and transport and have opportunities to develop their finer motor skills as they practise holding and making marks with colour pencils.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Babies and young children benefit from visits to local children's groups where they have opportunities to socialise with others, role play in the home corner and use a range of wheeled toys to develop their physical skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Parents are not provided with sufficient information about the complaints procedure because the childminder has an insecure knowledge and understanding of the regulations regarding dealing with complaints made by parents. No knowledge of regulations is a breach of regulations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are relaxed and confident in the care of the childminder. Through the childminders persistent praise and encouragement, babies demonstrate perseverance in developing new skills such as learning to walk. The childminder's acknowledgement of achievements contributes positively to their self esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated with equal concern. The childminder ensures that their needs are met as she follows their individual routines for eating, drinking and sleeping. Children have opportunities to gain an understanding of the wider world and develop respect for themselves and others as they access books, dressing up clothes and small world equipment that positively reflect ethnicity, culture and gender, although few reflect disability. There are no children currently attending that have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, however, the childminder was able to demonstrate how she would assess the needs of a child to determine whether appropriate care could be provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children benefit from a well-organised environment where they receive good adult support to help them feel safe and secure. The organisation of the day allows children to rest or be active according to their needs. This promotes children's physical and emotional well-being and gives them the confidence to explore new experiences. A care diary and informal discussions with parents ensures children's individual care needs are met and provides continuity of care. Most policies and procedures are shared with parents, however, the childminder has no knowledge of the requirements for dealing with complaints made by parents. This is a breach of regulations. Further more, the childminder refuses to display her certificate of registration. This is a breach of regulations.

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Organisation

Most records are accurately maintained, however, records such as the accident records which are required to be retained for a minimum of two years are not readily available for inspection. This is a breach of regulations.

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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 childminder attends training whenever she can and has recently attended training on the Birth to three matters framework and health and safety. However, the childminder has not attended first aid training.

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Organisation

Overall, 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

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to improve resources that reflect people with disabilities in a positive way. The childminder has made some improvements. Children have access to a few books inside the childminder's home. This helps children to develop a positive attitude towards others.

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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: • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and ensure parents are provided with details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a system to ensure records are retained for the required period of time, readily available for inspection and that the certificate of registration is displayed 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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