Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY152980 Unique Reference Number 08 October 2007 Inspection date Christine Holmes 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 2001. She lives with her husband and four children aged 14, eight, six and two years in Tamworth, Staffordshire. All areas of the downstairs are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time. There are currently seven children under eight years attending on a part-time basis and four children over eight years who also attend on a part-time 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. Children's health and welfare is not adequately safeguarded as there are weaknesses in both the recording of accidents and administration of medication. The childminder does not ensure that all accident records are signed by parents and she does not ensure that she keeps accurate

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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 records of medication administered to children. This is a breach of a regulation and impacts on the overall judgement for care.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a clean environment where they learn the importance of personal hygiene through daily routines. They are supported to learn the skills of toileting, hand washing and flushing the toilet, independence is encouraged using appropriate resources such as a 'step up' to the hand wash basin. This helps to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Children's individual dietary needs are met in partnership with parents which ensures they are suitably nourished.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the spacious environment where they can move and play feely and sleep undisturbed in a separate downstairs room. They are able to take part in a wide selection of in and outdoor activities which provide opportunities for children to develop their physical skills. For instance, indoors, children can develop their coordination skills with the miniature ten pin bowling alley. Outdoors, children are presented with a range of challenging, stimulating large equipment including a climbing wall and a climbing frame, with swings and slide as well as a large trampoline, basketball and football nets, cars and a go-cart.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe secure home which is well maintained. It provides a spacious environment for children to play comfortably. Children have good access to an extensive range of good quality toys and equipment. As a result they are able to move freely and play independently which helps them to settle and feel confident. Their awareness of safety is promoted through activities within the home. For instance, they learn what to do in the event of an emergency evacuation. In most instances the childminder has good awareness of potential hazards and can demonstrate how these are reduced to ensure children's safety. She supervises children well, ensuring they are always within her sight and hearing. However, she does not ensure all large equipment is maintained well. The safety net around the outdoor trampoline is ripped in a number of places. This does not ensure children's safety is fully safeguarded.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is secure in her understanding of child protection and as a result children's welfare is safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children settle well at the childminder's home and with her family. They develop positive relationships with the childminder which means they are able to grow in confidence and be able to communicate their immediate needs to her and she responds to their requests. The childminder demonstrates a very warm and caring manner towards them and they reciprocate this, frequently approaching her for cuddles and affection. Children are encouraged to be kind and helpful with each other and show a caring attitude and respect for others. Children are listened to and engaged in conversation and encouraged to express themselves. They receive a high level of attention as the childminder sits on the floor alongside them during play. She encourages their learning by joining in with their games, talking about things that are familiar to them and asking appropriate questions to make them think. This helps to promote their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

language and communication skills and self-esteem. They clearly enjoy and benefit from her positive role model and friendly interaction. Statements from parents who have older 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 attending the setting demonstrate they feel their children also benefit from the love and affection they receive from the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make choices about their play activities from a wide selection of toys and resources on offer. They are offered a bright and stimulating range of toys, games and resources to explore and play with which support their all round development well. Children become engrossed in imaginative play and enjoy taking part in activities including decorating cakes. Older children are able to make choices about how and where they spend their leisure time which helps to develop their independence and enables them to follow their own interest.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder works well in partnership with parents to meet children's individual needs and provide continuity of care. She keeps parents suitably informed of their child's day with regular verbal exchanges. This is particularly effective in the case of children who attend for very short periods of time each week. This ensures parents are involved and contribute to the quality of care of their children. Written statements from parents demonstrate they feel their children benefit from their experiences with the childminder and that she is extremely helpful. The childminder provides an inclusive service to children in her care who have learning difficulties. However, she has not yet developed an adequate range of resources to promote children's awareness of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are encouraged to play together and behave well. Behaviour management strategies are included in the behaviour policy. Children's self esteem is promoted and good behaviour is encouraged and praised through the effective and consistent approach the childminder has for dealing with a range of children's behaviour. Children respond to age and stage-appropriate tactics, for example, distracting younger children and offering alternative activities.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children's welfare is compromised as the childminder does not comply with the conditions of her registration. She has overlooked the need to request Ofsted to vary her certificate to reflect the ages of her own children. Her certificate states she must care for no more than one child under five years. However, she provides care for two children under five years. Consequently, she is in breach of her conditions of registration. This impacts on the overall judgement for care. The childminder has obtained a number of good quality written policies and procedures, but she has not yet ensured these are all fully implemented. All the required records are not in place. Overall children's needs are not met.

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Organisation

The organisation of space and resources supports children's care and provides a range of play opportunities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to take a number of actions to ensure children are safeguarded. These included obtaining the Government booklet "What to do if you're worried a child is being abused", improving fire safety precautions by ensuring that a fire blanket, which conforms to BSEN standards, is accessible in the kitchen and devising and practising an emergency evacuation. She was also required to make sure that the garden is

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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 secure and that children are unable to leave unsupervised, and to identify and to ensure all potential hazards are minimised. She was also required to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and to record children's hours of attendance. All of these actions have been completed by the childminder which has resulted in children's safety being improved.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also required to keep a written record, signed by parents, of all accidents. This action has not been fully met because the childminder does not ensure parents sign the record of accidents. This is a breach of a regulation and impacts on the overall judgement for care. Therefore the childminder is required to take further action to ensure parents sign the record of accidents.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was also required to take action to keep a written record of any medicines given to children. Although the childminder has a record of administered medication this is not an accurate or detailed record. Therefore the childminder is required to take further action to ensure appropriate written consent is gained from parents and a detailed record is kept of all administered medication.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked at the last inspection to provide an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder reports she has had difficulties obtaining these resources. As a result her provision in this area remains limited which minimises children's opportunities to develop their awareness of diversity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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 then 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: • comply with the conditions of registration all times • keep a signed record of all accidents. • keep accurate records of all administered medication.

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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 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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