Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY271875 Unique Reference Number 18 October 2007 Inspection date Greg Wolff 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and three years in Loughton, Essex. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding two children under five part-time. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family have a dog, a rabbit and a guinea pig as pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 inadequate. The childminder no longer holds an appropriate first aid certificate and therefore children's health is potentially at risk in case of minor accidents or medical emergencies. A number of items in the first aid box are out of date and require replacing.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are welcome in the home where they are able to learn the importance of personal hygiene through well-organised routines and practices. They learn that they should wash their hands after using the toilet, after playing in the garden and before eating to prevent germs accumulating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is promoted and they are protected from infection as the childminder is informed about children's health matters. She is aware of appropriate exclusion times for children when they have a contagious illness.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children take part in activities that contribute to their good health. They take part in regular outdoor exercise, for example, they use the garden and take walks in the local park and woods. Children enjoy playing in the garden in particular where they use a swing, slide and a trampoline.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from a healthy diet. The childminder provides sandwiches or other hot snacks at tea time as agreed by parents. Children are never thirsty as there are always drinks freely available to them and they use their own cups.

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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 home where most potential risks to children are identified and minimised. For example, a gate is used to stop young children accessing the kitchen. This means that children are able to move around the premises safely and independently. However, there are currently no smoke alarms on every level of the premises and the childminder has not renewed her Public Liability Insurance. Emergency evacuation procedures are in place but are not discussed with children or practised and therefore children are not suitably protected in case of emergencies on the premises.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder teaches the children responsibility for keeping themselves safe by talking to them about road safety and the potential dangers of strangers, particularly when they are outside the home.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can access a range of toys and equipment so that they enjoy a variety of different play experiences safely. A selection of toys is set out for children each day, from the wide range stored adjacent to the main play space. Resources are chosen by the childminder with care to ensure they are appropriate for the ages and stages of the children being cared for. They are checked to ensure that there are no broken parts that could harm a child.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has most of the required procedures and documents in place to keep children safe. The childminder understands her role in child protection, though she does not have the contact number for the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children develop confidence and self-esteem due to the secure and caring relationships the childminder has built with them. She and her assistant talk to the children enthusiastically whilst they play and they respond positively with lots of conversation. Children clearly feel good about themselves as they receive praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. They show great interest in what they are doing as the activities provided by the childminder are varied and stimulating. For example, children enjoy playing with building bricks and with the train set.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are happy and settled in the care of this childminder who has a warm and caring approach. Routines have been established which are consistent with home life, for example, having tea when they arrive following their school day. Children are well supported by the childminder and her assistant who encourage them to extend and develop their experiences by listening to them and talking with them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. All children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes. However, there are currently no written agreements from parents which set out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements. The childminder does not have all relevant details regarding the children in her care which means that they are not fully safeguarded in her home. The childminder ensures that she offers parents regular verbal feedback.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop respectful attitudes towards others through the example set for them by the childminder and her assistant. The childminder promotes equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice which results in all children feeling valued and welcomed at the setting. Children have access to activities and resources that increase their understanding of differences and similarities amongst people, such as books, dressing up clothes and small world toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Though no children attending have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, the childminder is aware of the issues involved in welcoming such children into her home, for example access and stairs, and the implications for care of other minded children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children learn to share and take turns. The childminder uses positive strategies for managing behaviour. This supports children in the understanding of the boundaries that are set and to behave well.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Some records which are required for the safe and effective management of the setting are maintained and stored confidentially. However, children's records and completed contracts have yet to be obtained and there is no record of the hours that children attend or the adults who are responsible for looking after them. As a result, children's welfare is potentially at risk.

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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 Children are eager to attend and enjoy their time in this setting. They feel at home and at ease with the childminder and her assistant which means their confidence grows as they initiate their play and learning. Space, play resources and activities are organised effectively to meet children's individual needs.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection, the childminder agreed to develop a medication procedure. This procedure is now in place and has been shared with parents when appropriate. This has ensured that children's health is safeguarded in cases where medication is required.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder also agreed to make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint. A complaints procedure, in line with the most recent revisions to the National Standards is now in place and available to all parents. This means that parents can be sure that their children are cared for in a setting which is fully accountable to them.

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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: • complete a first aid course, the contents of which includes information on dealing with babies and small children in case of accidents or emergencies • obtain appropriate Public Liability Insurance • obtain a written agreement from parents which sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities provided and business arrangements and all relevant details regarding the child prior to minding • obtain the contact details for the Local Safeguarding Children Board • ensure that the contents of the first aid kit are checked and updated as required

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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 • ensure that children remain safe on the premises at all times by reducing hazards in the home relating to the provision of smoke alarms and by ensuring that children are made aware of the emergency evacuation plan and have opportunities to practise it • keep a record of the hours that children attend and the adults who are responsible for them. 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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