Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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300659 Unique Reference Number 09 August 2007 Inspection date Jill Lee 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 2000. She lives with her husband and teenage daughter. They live in the High Green area of Sheffield. Local shops, schools and public transport are within walking distance.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The downstairs only of the home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children. There are currently 10 children on roll, all of whom attend on a part time basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. The childminder helps children to be healthy but has not implemented requirements which protect their welfare. They learn about good hygiene in everyday routines and are reminded

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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 about the importance of clean hands before snack time. The childminder talks daily with parents, so she is aware of individual needs. She ensures children wear sun cream and hats in hot weather. Arrangements for first aid and administering medication are discussed with parents but the required documentation is not in place. The childminder indicated she would record any medication given in the register. She was unable to demonstrate that she has any systems in place to obtain prior written parental consent to administer medication, as required. She has not obtained written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Arrangements for snacks, meals and drinks are negotiated with parents so that children's individual dietary needs are met, although information about children's individual needs is not recorded as required. Children help to make the sandwiches for lunch or when they go on a picnic. They independently help themselves to fruit squash or water to drink when they are thirsty. They are sometimes offered fruit for their snack.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy lots of outdoor activities in the fresh air, which contribute to their good health. They have regular exercise as they walk to and from school and go to feed the ducks. They have regular opportunities to use the large play equipment in the park. They enjoy games of football in the garden. In the summer holidays they love going on the tram to town and splashing in the big fountains.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The childminder does not have sufficient understanding of her responsibilities with the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She is not familiar with current guidance. She has a basic awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse but has no system in place to record incidents or existing injuries. This means the childminder does not adequately ensure that children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's different needs are catered for safely by the satisfactory use of available space. The childminder gives priority to safe supervision. She takes into account the age range present when planning different activities. Risks and hazards are appropriately assessed to promote children's safety and enjoyment. For example, the premises are kept secure and children practise the evacuation plan regularly. Any accidents would be recorded in the register but there were none recorded. Previous records were not available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a range of toys and equipment, which are maintained in a safe condition. They move freely from room to room and can visit the toilet independently. They are developing an awareness of how to keep themselves safe. For example, their awareness of road safety is raised as they walk to and from school and on outings. They think about safe practice and dangers when using large equipment in the park.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are generally settled and content in the childminder's care. They choose quiet or active play, according to how they feel and their current interests. They are able to access available resources independently, encouraging them to use some initiative. The childminder talks with children to find out what they enjoy doing. She involves older children in planning ideas for activities and outings in the school holidays. The children sometimes choose a baking activity and love outings to the park.

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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 Children are able to select from a range of resources and activities, which support their imaginary and creative play. They love making the large 'jigsaw mats' into pirate ships or cars for their pretend games. They draw numbers on them to play hopscotch. They play cooperatively with the cars and the car mat. They enjoy painting activities, especially when they paint enormous pictures on the grass. They put on their 'painter's smock' t-shirts and chatter together, considering how to mix different colours. The childminder plans frequent activities outdoors and in the local community, whenever possible, to vary their experiences. For example, they travel by train to the seaside, visit the local farm to see the animals and enjoy a meal out at McDonalds.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder liaises with parents each day to understand children's needs and ensure appropriate links with home, but she does not appropriately record this information as required. She develops formal contracts with parents, which are renewed every six months, but she does not record information about children's individual health, dietary needs, allergies or parents' expectations as to the care of their child. The childminder is not familiar with current requirements relating to the management of any complaints. She has not developed a system to record any complaints, although no complaints have been received. Parents are not made aware of the role of the regulator.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop confidence as they play cooperatively and enjoy regular outings in the local community. The childminder helps children to consider the feelings of others. For example, older children are sensitive to the needs of younger ones and help them to join in the painting activity. Children make their own decisions, as they decide which colours they need for their picture. The childminder talks with children to help them think about difference, encouraging them to share what is special to them. They have very few resources which raise their awareness of other cultures or different abilities, although the childminder sometimes uses the library to extend the range.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive support and encouragement as they play. Rules are simple and clearly explained so that children understand expected behaviour. They behave well and begin to understand why some behaviour is unacceptable. They learn to take turns and share toys, to be polite and have good manners. Children contribute to their own every day experiences and manage some of their own needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder maintains the minimum amount of paperwork, so that most of the required documentation is not in place. She indicates that her First Aid certificate is valid to September 2007 and that she has requested a place on a course in the Autumn term. She was, however, unable to locate the certificate. The registration certificate is not displayed and could not be located. Some written consents are obtained from parents, for example, to go on outings, apply sun cream, use large play equipment and to take photographs. Consents and information do not appropriately cover all aspects of care or provide the childminder with sufficient recorded information about children's individual needs.

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Organisation

The childminder was unable to demonstrate her systems for maintaining required documentation, such as obtaining consent to give medicines, the record if medicines are given and the recording

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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 of accidents, incidents and existing injuries. She indicated that all previous records had been shredded, which is contrary to requirements relating to the retention of documents. Contracts with parents are renewed on a six monthly basis, but consents for emergency treatment are not included as contracts are renewed. The childminder has not updated her awareness of current requirements within the National Standards and has not accessed any recent training opportunities to help enhance her practice.

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Organisation

The environment is organised to keep children safe and resources are stored to enable children to access them independently. The childminder communicates daily with parents to share information about children's care needs. She does not have sufficient understanding with regard to the implementation of required policies, procedures and documentation to ensure that children's welfare is adequately safeguarded.

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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

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to: ensure that an accurate and up to date record of the children's daily attendance is kept; to adhere to conditions of registration at all times regarding registered numbers of children; to ensure that all accidents are accurately recorded and that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times.

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Improvements since the last inspection

An accurate and up to date register is now maintained showing that registered numbers of children are not exceeded. The childminder was unable to demonstrate that other required documentation was in place.

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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: • establish a clear system to obtain written parental consent to administer medication, and keep a record countersigned by the parent

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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, signed by the parent, of any accidents • improve knowledge and understanding of responsibilities within the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board • obtain clear written information from parents regarding their expectations as to care of their child, including their health and dietary needs • become familiar with the requirements relating to management of complaints and develop a system for the recording of complaints, in line with regulations • display the registration certificate, as required • ensure all required records are kept, made available for inspection and retained for a reasonable period of time after children have left the provision. 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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