Epping Forest High School

Inspection report for early years provision

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128906 Unique Reference Number 08 August 2007 Inspection date Teresa Evelina Coleman 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 1995 . She lives with her husband and two adult sons. They live in a house in a residential area close to shops, parks, library and public transport links. All areas of the premises are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has a dog and some tropical fish.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There are currently three children on roll aged six years, four years and 19 months. They attend on four days a week.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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 inadequate. Some aspects of children's health and well-being are promoted because the childminder has generally satisfactory procedures in place to protect children from the spread of infection and the risk of illness. The childminder provides a clean environment where adequate hygiene procedures are in place and informs parents that she does not accept children who are unwell. The childminder said that she encourages children to learn about how to keep themselves healthy by encouraging them to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating. Liquid anti-bacterial soap is available for the children's use.

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Helping children to be healthy

However, children's health is not fully safeguarded because the childminder does not currently have effective systems in place to record parental permission for medication and any medication administered. This is in breach of regulations as it compromises the care of the children. In addition, written parental permission is not in place for seeking emergency medical advice and treatment and the childminder does not have an up-to-date first aid qualification. Consequently, children are not fully protected if there is an accident or emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical health is sufficiently promoted because the children have some opportunities to take part in physical play activities and exercise For example, they are able to play outside in the garden and enjoy regular outings to parks and playgrounds, a ball pond and toddler groups.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of healthy eating and provides children with a nutritious diet including fresh fruit for snacks and a range of home cooked meals for their main meals. She tries to encourage the children not to eat too many sweet or sugary foods. Drinks are provided throughout the day. The childminder discusses individual dietary requirements, including allergies, with parents and keeps appropriate records of this information. Consequently, this aspect of children's health is adequately promoted.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The childminder is able to demonstrate an understanding of her responsibilities to the children in her care and of the action to take if she has any concerns. For example, she is aware that she must inform Social Services and Ofsted of any concerns and ensures that she has all relevant contact numbers. However, she has not ensured that all members of the household have been appropriately vetted. This is a breach of regulations under the National Standards.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is generally promoted because the childminder provides a sufficiently comfortable environment where children can play together safely. The childminder promotes safety in her home by ensuring that appropriate safety precautions are in place. These include the safe storage of all cleaning materials, sharp knives, medication and first aid and the use of a safety gate to prevent children's access to the kitchen. Children's safety is also maintained by ensuring that appropriate levels of supervision are in place at all times, for example, when children play in the garden. Because of the generally good attention paid to safety, children are able to move around the premises safely. Fire safety is promoted because there is a smoke alarm which is regularly checked and the childminder has considered evacuation through the provision of smoke alarms and a fire blanket. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to

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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 carry out regular safety checks on all toys and equipment. This helps to maintain children's ongoing safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder provides an adequate range of resources, although there are few resources to support children's imaginative play. Some resources for younger children are accessible to children. However, they are poorly organised and this means that children have limited opportunities to make independent choices. Other resources, including materials for arts and crafts are stored in a cupboard and the children have to ask for what they want to play with. Older children cannot access resources such as games and puzzles for themselves because these are stored on top of a high cupboard. As a result, the children sometimes only tend to play with what the childminder has put out for them and this means that their independence is not appropriately fostered.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle at the childminder's home because she is friendly and welcoming towards them. However, their play opportunities are sometimes limited because the childminder does not appear to have a good understanding of the varying play needs of children of different ages and consequently does not provide activities that children of differing ages can enjoy together. Children's play experiences are also limited by the poor organisation of resources and lack of opportunities to make independent choices.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder encourages older children to think about colours and numbers by talking to them and asking questions, for example, during a game of picture lotto she asks them to count how many cards they need to finish the game. Play opportunities for younger children are not well supported, for example, by knowledge of the Birth to Three matters framework. The childminder does not demonstrate sufficient understanding of how to encourage their learning and development or to engage them in age appropriate activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy frequent outings to local toddler groups, the library and parks and playgrounds. This enables them to mix with other children. Children generally relate well to the childminder and confidently participate in activities and daily routines.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder discusses all aspects of children's individual needs at the start of a minding arrangement and promotes effective partnerships with parents through regular discussions. Written contracts with parents have been drawn up. This helps to ensure that a consistent approach to children's care is effectively maintained. However, there is currently no up-to-date information for parents of what they should do if they have a complaint. This is a breach of regulations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an adequate understanding of equal opportunities issues and said that she helps children to learn about others in the community by providing some resources that provide images of other cultures and of disability. She said that she considers this when buying new equipment and also uses the toy library and local library to supplement her resources in this area. This means that children are beginning to learn about others in the community. The childminder demonstrates a positive approach to caring for a child with learning difficulties or disabilities and said that she is welcoming to all.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 tries to establish a consistent approach to behaviour management by talking to parents. She is able to demonstrate an understanding of the importance of promoting positive behaviour and does this through praising children. For example, she offers praise when the children help to clear up activities and claps when younger children join in a game nicely. This helps children to learn right from wrong and to develop good self-esteem. The childminder encourages the children to say 'please' and 'thank you' and this helps them to develop good manners. Children generally behave well. However, on occasion they become bored with the activities available and this sometimes has a negative impact on their behaviour. Overall, however, the childminder is able to demonstrate an understanding of appropriate behaviour

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Helping children make a positive contribution

management strategies. There is no system in place to record any significant incidents relating to behaviour and the use of physical intervention.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The setting is adequately comfortable, although children often play in the dining room where the available play space is quite restricted. Although some resources are accessible, their organisation is generally poor and, as a result, children's play opportunities are sometimes limited. However, some aspects of children's health, safety and well-being are satisfactorily promoted by the childminder.

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Organisation

Inadequately maintained documentation means that some aspects of children's well-being are insufficiently safeguarded and there are some breaches to regulations under the National Standards. Appropriate checks, including a Criminal Records bureau check have not been carried out on all members of the household aged over 16 years. There are no systems in place for the recording of medication and the childminder does not keep a record of children's attendance. Prior written parental permission is not sought for administering medication or seeking emergency medical treatment and the childminder does not hold an up-to-date first aid qualification. There is no up-to-date information for parents of what to do if they have a complaint and there is no system in place to record any complaints received.

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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

The childminder has not taken the necessary action to implement the recommendations made at her last inspection. These relate to keeping records of children's attendance and any medication administered and obtaining prior parental permission for the administration of medication and for seeking emergency medical advice and/or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Consequently, there has been no improvement in the systems in place to promote children's health, the organisation of childminding or the keeping of documentation to enable appropriate care.

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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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Complaints 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

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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: • keep a daily record of children's attendance that includes hours of children's attendance. • ensure that a system for recording all medication administered to minded children is in place and ensure that this includes prior written parental consent. Obtain prior written parental consent for seeking emergency treatment. • ensure that complaints procedures comply with revisions made to National Standards in October 2005, for example, devise a system to keep a record of complaints. Ensure that parents are provided with up-to-date information of what to do if they have a complaint. • ensure that all checks, including Criminal Records Bureau checks, are carried out on all members of the household over the age of 16. • obtain an up-to-date paediatric first aid qualification. These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date

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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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