Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY257459 Unique Reference Number 15 August 2007 Inspection date Carole Argles 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 lives with her teenage son in a house on the outskirts of Somerton, Somerset. The house is situated close to a park and play area. The children use the ground floor of the house and a first floor room for sleeping. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to look after four children under the age of eight years. She does not provide overnight care. Currently she is providing part-time care for three children, of whom two are aged under five years. At present, she is not caring for any children who have learning difficulties or disabilities or who speak English as an additional language.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. The childminder does not hold a current first aid certificate. She does not meet the requirement to maintain records, signed by parents, of all accidental injuries occurring to children whilst they are in her care. This compromises the children’s welfare and health.

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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 The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of ways to promote good hygiene and keeps her home and the toys and equipment clean, paying particular attention to items used by babies. She implements suitable nappy changing procedures to minimise the likelihood of infection spreading between children. However, the children share a cloth towel for drying their hands. The children learn good hygiene routines and always wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. There are suitable procedures in place to ensure that any required medication is safely administered to the children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The children have drinks readily available for them to take when they are thirsty. Parents provide packed lunches and most snacks for their children. The childminder supplements these with additional fruit and provides nutritious cooked meals for the children on request, making sure that any specific dietary requirements are respected. These meals always include a variety of fresh vegetables. The children find out about the importance of healthy eating and often take part in cooking and food preparation activities. The children are encouraged to adopt an active lifestyle and have daily opportunities for exercise. They play in the childminder’s garden and visit local parks and play venues and use a variety of larger play equipment.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The premises are well maintained, tidy and comfortably furnished. The childminder arranges her furniture to maximise the space available for children to use. There is a suitable range of good quality equipment, toys and resources to support the children’s needs; this includes child-size tables and chairs for them to use for creative activities. The childminder checks toys and equipment regularly to ensure that they are safe and suitable for the children to use. Some resources are available for the children to select independently in the play area and the childminder changes the boxes of toys regularly throughout the day to ensure that the children do not become bored.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder takes suitable precautions to minimise the risk of accidental injury to the children and has safety equipment such as stairgates, cupboard locks and socket covers in place. There are suitable smoke alarms in place. However, the childminder has not given children the opportunity to practise the evacuation procedure so they understand what to do in an emergency. The childminder supervises the children well and ensures that the premises and garden are kept secure. The children begin to learn how to keep themselves safe. They talk with the childminder about road safety and begin to think about the consequences of their actions, for example, that they may hurt themselves or others if they climb on the furniture.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the signs that may indicate that a child is suffering harm or neglect. She knows what she must do if she has concerns about the welfare of a child in her care. She is careful to make sure that children have no unsupervised contact with people who have not been vetted and that they are only collected by authorised adults. This contributes well to safeguarding the children from harm.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are settled and confident and have a warm and relaxed relationship with the childminder. There is plenty of conversation and interaction between them and young children go to her frequently for cuddles or perhaps to sit on her lap and look at a book. The childminder takes opportunities to support children’s learning as they play, often asking them to count or

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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 talking with them about colours. She asks them questions about themselves and about what they are doing and this promotes their communication skills effectively. The children play very cooperatively together and relate well to each other. They show sustained concentration, for example, when they are colouring, drawing or looking at books. The children were enjoying playing with a range of small world and other pretend play resources and have opportunities to take part in a range of creative activities. They were looking forward to baking cakes with the childminder later in the day, and were talking about how they were going to share them out between them.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder provides a range of experiences for the children, taking the younger ones to toddler groups where they have the opportunity to socialise with others their own age. They frequently go to parks and other play venues so they can use a wide range of larger play equipment. Here they balance, climb and pull themselves up on ropes and this helps them to develop control and coordination of their movements. The children are encouraged to develop independence and often help the childminder prepare their cooked meal. They frequently go to the shops to choose the vegetables which they help to cut up. The children are well occupied and enjoy their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The children behave well and play cooperatively together. They understand the importance of sharing fairly and taking turns and willingly share resources with others. They receive praise so they understand when they have done well and the childminder carefully explains to them why sometimes their behaviour is unwanted. This helps them learn to manage their own behaviour. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure there is a consistent approach to behaviour management so that the children do not become confused. The children have many outings which broaden their knowledge of their local community. The childminder talks with them about what they do at home and their families. This makes them feel valued and promotes their self-esteem. However, there is a limited range of resources which show positive images of diversity and can be used to help children find out about others in society.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The children’s individual needs are met well because the childminder and their parents exchange information about them frequently and this promotes continuity in their care. Children’s preferences and normal routines are respected. There is an effective procedure to help new children settle quickly. The length of time they are cared for is gradually increased until they are familiar with the childminder and their surroundings, and they are confident. The childminder is flexible to accommodate the parents’ work patterns. She talks with parents about the service she provides and maintains written agreements with them.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder does not meet the regulations requiring her to maintain a record of the actual times of children’s attendance nor does she keep a record, signed by parents, of all accidental injuries occurring to children whilst in her care. She does not hold a current first aid certificate and does not know how she must address any written complaints she receives from parents. Consequently, the childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she 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 The children receive appropriate levels of support and attention from the childminder because she keeps to the required adult to child ratios. She maintains suitable records detailing children’s personal information and their parents’ contact details. She organises her home and space well so that she can meet the children’s development requirements and arranges toys and resources so they can access them independently.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection, the childminder agreed to keep a daily record of the children’s attendance, to ensure that documentation relating to transporting the children in the car is in place, and to increase the range of resources available for children including those that reflect disability.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since that time, the childminder has kept a record of the contracted hours when children are minded. However, she does not meet the regulation to keep a record of the actual hours of the children’s attendance, which often vary from this.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has suitable documentation available relating to her use of her car, for example, her business-use motor insurance. She has extended the range of toys and resources available for the children. She has increased the number of books and obtained more puzzles, pretend play and creative resources. There is a range of toys suitable for babies, such as shape sorters. The childminder has obtained some resources which show positive images of diversity, for example, a small figure who is a wheelchair user, but the range is still limited. She has obtained child-size tables and chairs. Overall there is a suitable range of activities and resources for the children to use and this has enhanced their care, learning and enjoyment.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder 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: • maintain a record, signed by parents, of any accidents to the children whilst in your care • develop your knowledge and understanding of how to address any written complaints from parents

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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 • maintain a record of the actual hours of children's attendance • devise an action plan showing how you will complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children 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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