Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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322581 Unique Reference Number 10 September 2007 Inspection date Ann, Theresa Flynn 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 June 2000. She lives with her husband and their eight year old daughter in Standish near Wigan.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for five children under the age of eight years and there are currently seven children on roll, five of whom are under eight years.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Minded children have access to parts of the ground floor and there is an enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is qualified to Level 3 in childcare.

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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 satisfactory. The health of children is satisfactorily promoted; children are encouraged to wash their hands after toilet use. The childminder explains to children about hand washing, thus, promoting children's understanding of hygienic practice.

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Helping children to be healthy

Suitable opportunities are provided for children to access fresh air and exercise. For example, children enjoy playing in the childminder's garden, in the local park and walking daily to school, thus, helping to promote children's well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

A sick child policy is available in writing and provided to parents to ensure they are aware of how their child is to be cared for in the event of them becoming ill.

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Helping children to be healthy

Accident and medication records are maintained in a basic manner. The accident record does not maintain confidentiality and the record of accidents is not signed by parents.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are adequately nourished because the childminder has a basic understanding about healthy eating. Meals and snacks, which are provided by the childminder are healthy and nutritious. Snacks include foods, such as fruits and sandwiches and children are able to ask for drinks when they are thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in a secure environment. The organisation of toys and equipment within the dining area where children play means children are able to move around to access some basic resources, which are stored in a box for children to access. The home is satisfactorily maintained and serves its purpose.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are involved in practising emergency escape procedures and, thus, have their awareness raised of how to keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe when away from the premises because they are taught about staying close to the childminder and about 'stranger danger'.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Some safety features are in place within the childminder's home to help to protect children. These include, for example, smoke detectors, safety glass and a fire blanket. However, numerous safety hazards were identified including, missing plug sockets on electrical sockets accessible to children and dog food in bowls on the floor in the kitchen area to which children have access. The ground floor bathroom, which the children use, houses hazardous substances, which are accessible to children, hazardous substances are also housed in low-level kitchen cupboards, which are unlocked. The dining area used by the children for their main play area, has a badly frayed and chewed carpet. There is no safety gate in place on the stairs despite having three children under five years of age present. Within the outdoor area, used by the children, an old rabbit hutch has been discarded in pieces, which is hazardous and yet accessible to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

All of which compromises the safety of children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is adequately protected because the childminder has a basic understanding of the procedure to follow in the event of concerns. This includes recognising possible signs

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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 and symptoms of abuse, documenting concerns and contacting Social Services if she is worried about the welfare of any child in her care.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. Children enjoy playing with a large magnet trying to identify which items a magnet can attract. This allows children to develop their knowledge and understanding of why things happen and how things work. The childminder extends this play by explaining that items have to be metal to stick to the magnet.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

A basic range of resources were available at the inspection, including blocks, books, a tea set, some crayons and bag of natural materials to promote children’s sensory development. However, the lack of age appropriate resources and activities to maintain the interest of younger children does not sufficiently stimulate or challenge them. This restricts their enjoyment and achievement during their time with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Resources which reflect diversity are basic and children are provided with limited opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's individual needs are sometimes catered for because sleeping facilities and children's dietary requirements are provided for, however, the needs younger children are not always met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well and appropriate behaviour management strategies are used by the childminder, which depends on the ages of children. Time out is used to manage behaviour, which involves children sitting away from their peers for a few minutes where they have chance to think about their behaviour, thus, helping children to develop their understanding of right from wrong.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept informed of the service provided through a few basic written policies and procedures. The childminder discusses children with their parents and provides written information for the parents of the younger children who attend.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

However, parents do not receive information about the procedure to follow should they have any concerns and there is no record of complaints maintained, which is a breach in regulations.

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Organisation

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

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Organisation

Time and space is organised so that children are able to sleep, relax and play within the childminder's home. Children mainly have use of the dining room, and have access to basic resources. A flexible routine is followed daily and time is organised to cater for sleep and meal times, sometimes catering for children's individual needs.

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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 does not meet requirements because she does not hold a current valid first aid certificate.

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Organisation

Documentation is maintained in a basic manner and not always in line with the National Standards.

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Organisation

Documents include children's details, although basic details are sometimes missing from children's details forms, such as the contact telephone number of the children's General Practitioner.

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Organisation

The register of attendance does not include the full names of the children and does not clearly record the date. Therefore, documentation is inadequately maintained.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection three recommendations were raised in relation to resources and knowledge regarding child protection and first aid and documentation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The recommendation regarding resources, which helps to promote children's all round developmental needs has been raised as an action following this inspection because resources are basic and, thus, limits children's progress and development.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The recommendation regarding knowledge has received some attention because the childminder has developed her knowledge regarding child protection procedures and undertook training in first aid. However, the first aid certificate has again expired and has, therefore, been raised as an action following this inspection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The recommendation regarding documentation has received attention because the accident and medication records are available for inspection and written parental consents have been obtained for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Due to the action taken the care of children has been enhanced.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one complaint made to Ofsted in July 2006 relating to National Standard 1: Suitable person and National Standard 11: Behaviour.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted investigated the complaint and raised actions relating to National Standard 6: Safety, National Standard 1: Suitable person, National Standard 2: Organisation and National Standard 14: Documentation. Following the investigation, the childminder took action in order to meet the National Standards and, thus, remains qualified for registration.

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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: • promote the safety of children by making safe hazards including, electrical sockets, hazardous substances within the ground floor bathroom and kitchen, badly frayed carpet within the dining area, dog food which is accessible to children and the old rabbit hutch disposed of in the children's outdoor play area. Also ensure children's safety is maintained on the stairs • plan a suitable range of activities and provide a wide range of resources for children, which are appropriate for their stage of development and based on their individual needs • make available to parents a procedure to be followed if they have a complaint • provide a range of resources to develop children's understanding about the diverse society in which they live • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants

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The quality and standards of the care

and young children • develop documentation to improve the safe and efficient management of the setting and to promote the welfare of children, by maintaining a record of complaints, including sufficient details in the children's individual details, in the accident record and in the record of attendance. 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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