Childminder in Oldham

Inspection report for early years provision

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504996 Unique Reference Number 04 September 2007 Inspection date Patricia Graham 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 2000. She lives with her three children aged nine, 13 and 15 years in the Failsworth area of Oldham. The whole ground floor of the childminders home is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for three children under five part-time, and two children under five all day. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local toddler groups. The childminder has two cats.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children's health within the setting is supported appropriately by the childminder who has taken some positive steps to reduce the risk of cross-infection. For example, she ensures the environment and resources are cleaned to an adequate standard and adopts good procedures when changing nappies. Older children take responsibility for their own personal care as they

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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 wash their hands at appropriate times, often without prompting. Children are adequately protected because the childminder has good procedures are in place for recording accidents and a sick child policy is shared with parents. However, children's health is not consistently promoted as medication is given without written consent. This is a breach of regulation, which poses a risk to children's health and well-being.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are able to quench their thirst as they access their own cups of sugar free juice and fresh drinking water, which are available at all times. They are developing an understanding of healthy eating as they are provided with some healthy meals and snacks. For example, children enjoy sandwich selections and various meat dishes. Some children bring their own meals, which ensure their parents know what they are eating. At other times children help themselves to seasonal fruits, which are easily accessible. Babies needs are accommodated well as meals are offered in line with home routines.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy an adequate range of activities, which promotes a healthy lifestyle. For example, children access balls and outdoor resources. This provides them with sufficent opportunities to develop their physical skills and coordination. Sleep routines are discussed with parents and children are settled to sleep reassured with comforters brought from home.

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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 warm and welcoming environment. Their independence is adequately fostered as they self-select some resources, which are reasonably accessible. However, basic equipment, such as low level furnishings are not provided for younger children, which means they cannot play in comfort. Children develop some understanding about safety through discussions with they childminder. For example, they are gently reminded not to run indoors in case they get hurt. However, children's safety is compromised because the childminder has not taken positive steps to minimise potential hazards. She has not identified electric sockets are uncovered, loose wires and cat litter trays are accessible to children and external doors are unlocked, which means children can leave unsupervised. In addition to this a smoke detector on the first floor is not in place. These hazards pose a significant risk to children's health and

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are adequately protected from potential abuse because the childminder has a sound understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of possible signs and symptoms displayed by children suffering abuse. The childminder is aware of her duty to respond immediately to any child protection concerns.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. Children form positive relationships with the childminder and their peers. They develop social skills as they play alongside and cooperatively together. For example, children take turns pushing wheeled toys between the rooms. At other times children develop their creativity as they initiate some imaginative play. Children have opportunities to listen to stories, which helps them develop an understanding of the printed word. They access a good selection of books and talk confidently about their favourite stories. Their experiences are adequately promoted as they enjoy occasional visits to local the toddler groups, which enables them to mix with other children.

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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 Older children have access to an adequate range of toys and resources, such as board games and character figures. This means they are reasonably occupied and stimulated. However, younger children become bored and restless as resources do not provide stimulation or interest. For example, toys, such as shape sorters have missing pieces and batteries are not replaced in action response toys. In addition to this younger children have limited opportunities to explore textures and natural materials to develop their senses. As a result, they are not sufficiently challenged.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children are treated with equal regard and their individual needs are acknowledged by the childminder, which supports elements of their care and well-being. For example, the childminder is aware of children's likes and dislikes and she actively encourages comforters to be used. This helps children feel happy and settled. Children gain little understanding of the wider world because they have limited access to resources, which promote positive images of society. As a result, children are unable to fully develop an awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave reasonably well in the home because they are given sufficient praise and encouragement, which increases their self-confidence. When dealing with incidents the childminder uses some effective strategies, which reinforces positive behaviour. Children are totally assured as they receive lots of cuddles from the childminder. Consequently, children are beginning to learn responsible behaviour and have a good sense of belonging.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder ensures relevant information is obtained from parents and used to meet the needs of children. The childminder has adequate systems in place to share information. For example, children's care routines, such as toilet training, are discussed and agreed with parents. This ensures children are cared for in line with home routines. The childminder has some consents in place and endeavours to care for children according to their parents wishes. Parents comments and are actively encouraged, which promotes continuity of care. However, the childminder has insufficient knowledge of the complaints procedure, which is a mandatory requirement.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children's care and well-being is not sufficiently promoted. For example, children are not cared for in required ratios, which is a breach in conditions of registration. As a result, children do not receive appropriate support and attention required to meet their needs. The childminder does not hold a current first aid certificate, which compromises children's health and well-being.

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Organisation

Children are adequately protected because they are not left with persons not vetted and the childminder understands her duty to notify the regulator of significant events. The childminder has some documentation in place, which is in line with the requirements of the National Standards. For example, the attendance register clearly records children's arrival and departure times. However, records are not retained for a reasonable period of time and the certificate of registration is not displayed. This is a clear breach in regulations. Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it 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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: improve activities and resources to support children's overall development, including diversity; ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible; complete an appropriate first aid certificate; inform Ofsted of significant events; improve fire safety precautions by maintaining a smoke alarm on the first floor in working order; obtain relevant child protection literature and request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and implement a sick children policy.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made some improvements, since the last inspection. She is aware to notify Ofsted of significant events and discusses the sick child policy with parents. The childminder has some documentation in place, which includes child protection details and written consent for emergency medical treatment. These improvements promote aspects of children's care. However, the childminder has not updated her first aid certificate and has not maintained a smoke detector on the first floor. This compromises children safety and well-being.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has purchased some toys and resources, which adequately support the needs of older children. However, toys and resources for younger children do not provide sufficient challenge. In addition to this the childminder has no resources in place, which reflect diversity. This means children are not given sufficient opportunity to develop an awareness of the world around them. Consequently, actions have been raised following this inspection.

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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. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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: • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure adult: child ratios are maintained at all times to meet children's needs effectively • plan and provide a suitable range of toys and activities for younger children, which are appropriate for their stage of development and based on their individual needs

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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 • provide a suitable range of equipment to meet the developmental needs of children from birth to under five years • assess the risks to children in relation to uncovered electric sockets, loose wires, cat litter, smoke detector and external doors and take action to minimise these • obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children • ensure children have access to a broad range of resources and activities, which reflect diversity • improve knowledge of the complaints procedure • ensure records relating to children are retained for a reasonable period of time • display the certificate of registration during childminding hours. 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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