Stow Bridge County Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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129611 Unique Reference Number 01 October 2007 Inspection date Gillian Charlesworth 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 1996. She lives with her husband and two children age 16 and 14 years in a house in the outskirts of Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. The property is within walking distance of parks, shops and schools.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding where children also nap. The first floor is not used except for access to the bathroom or to sleep in a bedroom in a travel cot. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder takes children on regular walks and also has a car to transport children. She attends parent and toddler groups and activity centres regularly.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She is currently minding four children under eight years of age who attend on a part-time basis. She has responsibility for the transportation of one child over eight years after school.

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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. Children’s health is compromised. The absence of an up-to-date first aid qualification, suitable first aid requisites and written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment, means that appropriate responses cannot be made to children in the event of accidental injury. However, suitable precautions are taken to protect children from the risks of cross-infection. For example, the childminder gives clear verbal information to parents about the exclusion of sick children and acts in their best interest when they are unwell. Children begin to learn the importance of personal hygiene through nappy changing routines when they are offered wet wipes for their hands after the process.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities to play in the fresh air and enjoy physical activity. They participate in walking the family dog each day and enjoy taking balls and small equipment to open spaces where they can play energetically. They have appropriate periods of rest and relaxation by taking naps on sofas when tired. A travel cot is available in a first floor bedroom for children requiring longer, undisturbed sleeps.

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Helping children to be healthy

Young children have drinks made available as part of the routine and are confident to ask for more when required. They are provided with a variety of balanced meals through flexible arrangements with parents. For example, some children bring their own lunches that include various light meals and fresh fruit options. Others prefer to have home cooked meals that the childminder provides. Through discussion with parents at the outset, the childminder can establish children’s dietary needs and is willing to meet these as they arise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children’s welfare is not sufficiently safeguarded and protected. The childminder shows genuine concern for children’s welfare but has not taken steps to become familiar with local and national child protection guidance to follow in the event of a concern. She is therefore unable to follow appropriate reporting procedures. Although the childminder supervises children well, there is a reliance on this, rather than taking proper precautions to ensure that hazards to children on the premises, both inside and outside are suitably minimised. For example, chemicals are stored in accessible low level cupboards and an unprotected disused pond adjoins the garden patio where children occasionally play. Smoke alarms are working on each floor and checked regularly. However, the fire blanket and extinguisher is not readily available and evacuation procedures are not in place to protect children in the event of an emergency. Consequently children are

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are at ease in their surrounding that are comfortable and welcoming. They move around freely in the living accommodation and use the available space to meet their needs. Children are content playing with the adequate range of resources that are offered by the childminder each day and changed regularly to maintain their interest. When they have finished playing with one set of toys, these are tidied away to make way for the next activity.

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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 are happy, settled and relaxed. They use the space freely and play with the toys available. They follow their immediate interests and respond to events as they arise, for example, collecting the post when it arrives. They feel secure when they approach the childminder, sharing her lap and receiving affection.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are confident and benefit from the warm, calm interactions from the childminder who supports and engages them. For example, the childminder introduces an interactive toy and warmly encourages children to identify and press different buttons. They are developing good impulses to communicate as they are praised when they use simple words to describe toys or explain their needs. The childminder promotes discussion and helps children to make connections when they talk about illustrations on a puzzle and recall previous experiences when they have been out walking the dog.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are occupied and take part in a range of activities. They enjoy watching the childminder feed the fish and giggle with delight when they discover that they can see each other from opposite ends of the tank. As they look at books independently and ask ‘what’s that?’ the childminder interacts at eye level and explains the illustrations. Children are encouraged to identify pictures and letters of the alphabet on puzzle pieces to pass to the childminder to join together. Planned activities such as baking, painting and crafts are included in the routine as well as local outings to parent and toddler or childminder groups and shopping. The 'Birth to three matters' framework is not actively used in the setting.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Procedures whereby parents can share their concerns and have them investigated and recorded appropriately in line with regulations are not yet developed. This potentially affects the quality of children’s experiences and the continuity of their care. However, children benefit from the long term, friendly and open relationships the childminder has developed with parents. Information exchange takes place verbally on a daily basis to support children’s care routines. Written agreements set out care arrangements and records of children’s information are sought and updated in order to meet children’s needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children feel a sense of belonging and are treated with equal concern. They are offered choices of activities and are welcome to bring favourite toys from home to support transition. They have opportunities to learn about the local community through outings but have very few chances to appreciate diversity through the resources and activities. The childminder has no experiences of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities but is willing to work with parents and professionals to meet any needs in the future.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to behave well and play harmoniously. Suitable methods are used to minimise any minor frustrations between toddlers as they arise. Children are effectively encouraged to take responsibility and enjoy handing juice to others or helping to tidy away toys. Children are valued and praised for their achievements and good behaviour and this promotes their self-esteem.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Overall children’s needs are not met. Children’s welfare and development is not sufficiently protected and safeguarded because the childminder has not considered the potential impact of oversights of her organisation. For example, she has not maintained a current first aid certificate or taken suitable steps to ensure that all persons over the age of 16 years living in the household are suitably vetted. Oversights have occurred in areas of health, safety and partnership with parents because the childminder does not have a suitable knowledge of the National Standards. However, the childminder has a broad range of experience caring for children of various ages and provides suitable support in their everyday activities.

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Organisation

Flexible attendance arrangements are offered to support families with varying work patters and ensure that children have suitable support. Most documentation is in place for the safe management of children.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous care inspection recommended that the childminder extends her knowledge to provide suitable activities to promote equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practice. That she develops knowledge of child protection issues and reviews documentation in relation to a sickness policy, recording of medication and an emergency evacuation plan.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There has been little action taken to address previous recommendations consequently improvements for children are minimal. A book has been provided depicting positive images of our diverse society although is not always actively used therefore children have few additional opportunities to appreciate others’ similarities and differences. Knowledge, activities and play materials to promote anti-discriminatory practice have not been addressed therefore children are unable to learn about diversity through their natural play. Knowledge of child protection remains inadequate therefore this has been escalated to an action for improvement. Sickness procedures continue to be informal and are verbally discussed with parents. An emergency evacuation plan remains outstanding and has been escalated to an action for improvement. There have been no instances where children require the administration of medication therefore

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Improvements since the last inspection

documentation is not available for inspection. However, the childminder is aware that suitable records must be kept.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there has been one complaint made to Ofsted. Concerns were raised about the childminder looking after too many children relating to National Standard 2, Organisation. Ofsted investigated the complaint by carrying out an unannounced visit on 18 October 2004. One action was given in relation to National Standard 2. A satisfactory response was received and the childminder 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: • ensure that an approved first aid certificate is always maintained that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • take suitable steps to ensure that all persons over the age of 16 years living in the household are suitably vetted • take proper precautions to ensure that hazards to children on the premises both inside and outside are identified and minimised and that fire safety equipment and procedures are effective • provide a first aid box, the contents of which will be determined in the first aid training course, and are checked frequently and replaced as necessary and, seek written parental permission for any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future • develop a procedure to be followed if parents have a complaint; keep a record of complaints relating to the National Standards and any action taken

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The quality and standards of the care

• ensure that the child protection procedure complies with the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB); raise awareness of the Government booklet 'What To Do If You're Worried A Child is Being Abused' - summary or any national guidance booklet which replaces this publication; and find out how to contact local social services or the police if concerned about a child • obtain and have regard to the National Standards and associated guidance to improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations. 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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