Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY277212 Unique Reference Number 26 September 2007 Inspection date Paula Fretwell 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and seven in Ossett on the outskirts of Wakefield. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with toilet facilities upstairs, and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder drives to schools to collect children. The childminder is currently minding five children, who attend on a variable basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Appropriate hygiene procedures which prevent the spread of cross infection are in place to ensure children's health. For example, the childminder ensures children's hands are washed or wiped regularly and nappies are promptly changed and disposed of. Sick children are not accepted and the childminder contacts parents if a child becomes ill in her care, to prevent the risk of infection to others. Accidents to children are appropriately recorded, although the

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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 childminder does not have a current first aid certificate and this is a breach in the requirements of registration.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's dietary needs are suitably met through the childminder working closely with parents. Children eat healthy snacks and they have regular access to drinks throughout the day which ensures they are not thirsty. Food brought for the children by their parents is safely stored until they need it.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have suitable opportunities for regular fresh air and to practise their physical skills indoors and outdoors. They walk to local places including playgrounds and they have appropriate resources available to support their physical needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The environment is clean, well maintained and welcoming to children. They independently move around the play areas and select age appropriate toys in safety. They enjoy using the good range of toys and equipment which are clean and safe and the childminder supervises children to ensure all resources are used safely.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety is maintained because the childminder is aware of hazards and takes many steps to reduce the risk of accidental injury. She uses appropriate equipment, such as a fireguard, safety gate, socket covers and harnesses on highchairs. Toys and equipment are rotated and checked regularly to ensure they are safe for children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are helped to become aware of how to stay safe when out and about because the childminder talks to them about their safety. Children's awareness of what to do in a fire is not encouraged through fire drills, although the childminder has a clear understanding of what she would do to evacuate safely with the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder understands child protection issues and is aware of the importance of safeguarding children by reporting concerns in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are mostly happy and content in the childminder's care and they freely explore their environment. They enjoy choosing their own activities and they confidently approach the childminder to make their needs known. The childminder is patient, warm and responsive to the children and there are trusting relationships to help them feel secure.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Young children follow their own preferred routine and their individual patterns for feeding and sleeping. The childminder makes every effort to divide her time up to give children individual attention, although this is not always possible due to the numbers and ages of children being cared for.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy a range of activities which are appropriate for their development. They especially enjoy looking at books and their vocabulary is encouraged through the childminder pointing out new words to them. The childminder is aware of each child's personality and stage of

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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 development and she encourages their language skills through conversation and chatter as she plays alongside them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder gives praise and encouragement to support children’s confidence and they respond happily to her positive tone of voice. She is very aware of all individual children’s personalities and this helps her to provide appropriate play and activities for each child. Children are learning to understand how to behave well and share toys with each other. The childminder understands their needs and manages unwanted behaviour at a level which they understand. For example, very young children’s attention is diverted to another activity and older children are given appropriate explanations why behaviour may be unacceptable.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder helps to build children’s knowledge and understanding of differences through the use of positive images in play equipment and resources. All children are included fairly in all activities and the childminder understands their individual needs through working with parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Effective communication is mostly in place with parents to discuss children’s needs and information is exchanged on a daily basis. However, there is no written consent to seek emergency medical treatment for the children. Parents are assured of confidentiality when discussing aspects of their child’s care with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. There are too many children being minded and this is a breach in the childminder's conditions of registration and compromises the children's safety and well-being. The organisation of the play areas enables children to choose their own activities and freely access the available resources, although the numbers of very young children prevent appropriate supervision of them all.

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Organisation

The childminder is assisted at times by her husband whom all the children in the setting are familiar with, but there is no condition of registration to allow an assistant to care for the children.

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Organisation

Most documentation is in place and filed securely and some daily records are maintained as required, although the register of children's attendance is not up to date. The childminder is aware of the requirement for her to record any complaints received.

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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 given two actions and two recommendations to improve the quality of care. She was asked to show how the condition for the ages and numbers of children being minded is adhered to and to develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of child protection and can safeguard children. However, the numbers of children being minded still exceeds the conditions

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Improvements 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 of her registration and this remains an issue for this inspection to ensure children's safety and well-being.

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Improvements since the last inspection

It was recommended at the last inspection that the childminder provide a suitable range of toys for older children aged five to eight years and this issue has been fully addressed. The childminder was also asked to submit proof of her qualifications to Ofsted. Her qualification certificate is displayed on the premises, although her first aid certificate has expired.

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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: • work to the requirements of the registration certificate at all times • ensure an accurate register of children's attendance is maintained • submit an action plan detailing when and how an approved first aid course, which includes training for infants and young children, will be completed • obtain parents written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. 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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