Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY273796 Unique Reference Number 10 August 2007 Inspection date Anne Walker 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since December 2003 when living in Kent and moved to King's Lynn in June 2004. She lives with her partner, and two children aged 12 and 14 years, in Reffley, a residential area close to the market town of King's Lynn. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and a bedroom/study is available on the first floor for sleeping young children. The toilet is on the first floor. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children but has not cared for children since registration. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The family has two dogs.

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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 childminder has a sound understanding of suitable procedures to promote children’s good health, by ensuring that positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures are put in place when children are ill. (National Standard 7: Health).

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Helping children to be healthy

Through discussion the childminder demonstrated awareness of the importance of ensuring that food and drink for children is adequate, properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements. (National Standard 8: Food and drink).

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The garden is not safe because the precautions outlined by the childminder to restrict children's access to the swimming pool are insufficient to promote their safety. (National Standard 6: Safety).

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has insufficient knowledge of child protection procedures approved by the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She does not fully understand her responsibility to protect the welfare of the child. (National Standard 13: Child Protection).

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are secure and include the necessary facilities for children. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of how to ensure the environment is made welcoming to children. (National Standard 4: Physical environment).

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The furniture, equipment and toys are safe and appropriate for the needs of children. (National Standard 5: Equipment).

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of how individual children, develop and learn. (Standard 3: Care, learning and play).

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder generally outlines suitable ways she would develop a partnership with parents, taking into account their differing needs. However, she lacks knowledge of requirements in relation to dealing with complaints that are raised with her. (National Standard 12: Working in partnership with parents and carers).

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has an appropriate knowledge and awareness of the importance of treating each child with equal respect and concern. (National Standard 9: Equal opportunities).

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties or disabilities, and understands the importance of working in partnership with parents and with other professionals to promote the welfare and development of the child. (National Standard 10: Special needs).

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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 shows a willingness and commitment to working with parents to manage children’s behaviour in a consistent way which promotes the child’s welfare and development. (National Standard 11: behaviour).

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has not maintained a current, appropriate first aid certificate. This means that she lacks the up to date skills to deal with accidents. (Standard 1: Suitable person).

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Organisation

The childminder is aware of the duty to ensure that other people living or working on the premises are suitable to be in contact with children. (National Standard 1: Suitable person).

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Organisation

The childminder understands the importance of working within the constraints of the condition of registration relating to number of children; and of organising space and resources to best meet the needs of the children. (National Standard 2: Organisation).

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Organisation

The childminder has a sound awareness of the records to be kept and the importance of these. (National Standard 14: Documentation).

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the provider agreed to continue to develop the range of equipment and resources to meet the needs of a range of children and to obtain current government guidance for child protection.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has not cared for children since the last inspection but has a satisfactory range of play materials and equipment that would enable her to meet the needs of children under eight. She understands what other items she may need depending on the ages of children attending and can demonstrate how she would address this. Relevant child protection guidance documents and telephone numbers are not readily to hand to ensure that the provider can refer to them should minding commence and may mean that prompt and appropriate action on any concerns is delayed as a result.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Not applicable: the childminder has not cared for children since registration.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to have procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and to keep a record of complaints and their outcome.

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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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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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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 • take positive steps to prevent accidents by ensuring that children do not have access to the swimming pool • ensure a knowledge and compliance with local child protection procedures and that procedures can be put into practice • develop a knowledge of requirements in regard to dealing with complaints and ensure that systems are in place to deal with complaints promptly and appropriately. 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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