Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY255202 Unique Reference Number 16 July 2007 Inspection date Philippa Clare Williams 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 has been registered since April 2003. She lives with her husband and six year old daughter in the Turnpike Lane area in the London borough of Haringey and within short walking distance of local schools, shops and travel links. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, which consists of the living room, kitchen and downstairs toilet. 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. She is currently caring for two children full time.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Poor practices puts children's health at risk. For example, nappies are changed on a blanket used by children to sit and play and dirty nappies are not disposed of hygienically. The

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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 childminder also fails to wash her hands after nappy changing and immediately prepares baby milk feeds. The childminder maintains a first aid box and has procedures in place for recording accidents and for administering medication. However, she has not obtained consent for urgent medical treatment. In addition, she has not maintained a first aid qualification which is a requirement of registration. As a result children's health needs are not met in an emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are generally well nourished because the childminder meets parental wishes, any dietary needs and serves the food provided. However, some foods are not stored or heated appropriately, which leads to a further health risk for children. Younger children's independence skills are not always promoted because the childminder does not treat mealtimes as an opportunity to help children to enjoy food and become independent at feeding themselves. Children are not kept sufficiently hydrated as they do not have access to drinking water at all times.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual rest needs are met and children are able to rest safely and comfortably in the childminder's care. They enjoy some physical activity through outings to parks and to groups.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. There are a number of safety issues within the reach of young children with the setting. These present some danger to young children even though the childminder is present. These include plastic carrier bags, inflammable liquids, alcohol and cleaning materials. In addition, some play materials, such as a skipping rope, are used inappropriately by the very young children attending. Young children use the outdoor area in bare feet, where there are potential dangers. Children can leave the garden unsupervised through an unsecured gate. This significantly compromises children’s safety and security and puts children at risk of injury. Although the childminder is aware of how to evacuate in an emergency, has smoke detectors and a fire blanket fitted, the fire blanket is located in the hall rather than the kitchen; therefore, fire safety is not fully assured.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

There is an insufficient range of toys and equipment to enable children to develop their creative, imaginative and sensory skills. As a result children do not make progress in all areas. For example, younger children do not have opportunities to engage in role play, messy play activities or to explore natural materials to develop using their senses. The lack of appropriate equipment and furniture for the care of younger children leads to children failing to develop independence skills in feeding, as there are no high chairs. The childminder chooses what children play with each day and so children have limited opportunities to make their own choices and play materials for younger children are not readily accessible to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are not fully protected because the childminder is not aware of the indicators of abuse, and of the procedures to follow should she have a concern about a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. Children are not given sufficient opportunities to make their own choices, as the childminder gives children toy after toy. Consequently, children often become overwhelmed and do not benefit from making their own decisions. Activities within the home are limited and do not give children sufficient opportunities to explore and experiment, to use their imagination and be

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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 creative. The childminder rarely plays with the children at their level and generally stands back and watches. As a result, children are bored and often distracted by the television which is left on at all times. Children do not gain self esteem and confidence from the childminder's participation. The childminder has unrealistic expectation of children's development. For example, she asks a very young child to identify colours of bricks. Later on, she gives a young child a puzzle which is too difficult for them, as a result children make limited progress. However children are taken to local groups where they have some opportunities to develop their social skills and play together.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children do not have access to resources that reflect a positive image of diversity, and they are therefore unable to learn about the wider world. The childminder has a some understanding of equality issues; she gets to know children's likes, dislikes and routines, which are recorded. The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties; in the event of her having any concerns about a child's development she would discuss these with the parent.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Younger children are often restless and bored and their behaviour becomes disruptive as they argue over toys. Strategies used do not always promote positive behaviour as the childminder criticises the child as being "bad", and uses the television to distract children's negative behaviour.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Informal discussions with parents at the end of the day ensure some continuity of care for the children. There is no written information about the care and activities provided. The childminder is not aware of the new regulations regarding the complaints procedure and a system for recording complaints has yet to be established. This is a breach of regulations.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The organisation of care does not meet children's needs or regulatory requirement. The childminder was found to be breaching her conditions of registration by not displaying her certificate. As a result children are placed at risk as a result of parents' inability to check the registration status and conditions. The childminder demonstrates that she has an insecure knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and has not organised her childminding sufficiently. Her first aid qualification does not meet registration requirements. She is not aware of the new regulations with regard to complaints, which is a breach of regulations. Generally, most of the required documents are in place. Children's health and safety are put at risk due to poor practises and ineffective risk assessments. Children do not benefit from the activities available as they are insufficient in range to promote their all round development. Children are

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Organisation

not fully safeguarded due to childminder's lack of knowledge of procedures to follow. This compromises children's safety and wellbeing and impacts on the quality of care received.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made some improvements since the last Inspection. She was required to maintain smoke detectors and fire blanket, which are now in place. However, the fire blanket is not located in the kitchen as required, therefore, fire safety is still not fully assured. She was

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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 required to ensure low level glass in the doors are made safe. The glass has now been made safe as it is covered with plastic. She was required to keep a daily record of attendance and ensure all the required records are implemented. She now maintains a record of attendance. It was also recommended that she provides a suitable range of toys and play materials, in order to meet the developmental needs of babies and children from one to eight years, which should include resources that reflect positive images. There continues to be insufficient range of toys and equipment to meet young children's needs. In addition, there are no resources to help children to acknowledge and accept differences. This impacts on the quality of children's care and learning.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last Inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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 all 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: • improve hygiene procedures to ensure children are protected from cross infections • make sure all areas used by the children are safe • plan and provide a suitable range of activities for children, which are appropriate for their stage of development and based on their individual needs • develop an understanding of the new regulations with regarding complaints • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • make sure children have access to fresh drinking water at all times and that food is stored and served appropriately • develop knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and regulations • provide a suitable range of toys, appropriate equipment to meet the developmental needs of younger children which includes natural materials and resources that represent

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The quality and standards of the care

positive image of diversity • improve the level of fire safety by ensuring that the fire blanket is easily accessible in the kitchen

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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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