Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY274832 Unique Reference Number 27 February 2008 Inspection date Lesley Gadd 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 two and six years in a small village near Spalding in Lincolnshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding three children all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She does not provide overnight care. The family have a pet cat.

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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 satisfactory. The children are cared for in a warm, welcoming home. Equipment is available for play on children's return from school and this helps children to settle quickly. Children are beginning to learn about the importance of personal hygiene. They are encouraged to wash hands before

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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 eating and after using toilet facilities to remove germs. However children use a shared towel for hand drying in the downstairs cloakroom which creates a cross-infection risk.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are refreshed regularly to ensure they do not go thirsty or hungry. Parents provide food for their younger children which caters for their dietary needs. The childminder provides a healthy snack menu of fruit, water and squash for children after school. Children discuss what teeth require to make them strong, developing children's understanding about the need for healthy eating. Children's individual food preferences are discussed with parents to ensure any allergies are accommodated and individual needs are met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy opportunities to play in the fresh air and this promotes their physical health. The large garden at the childminder's house ensures children have the space to be active as needed and children walk to and from school daily to exercise their lungs. The outdoor trampoline is well used and children share a giggle with friends as they fall down on the bouncy surface, showing competent balancing and jumping skills. Children enjoy the rhythm of swinging slowly to and fro on the outdoor swing, singing and relaxing after a busy day at school. The childminder is quick to talk about the changing weather and children notice the budding spring flowers developing their knowledge about the seasons.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's well-being is given suitable consideration. Younger children are able to sleep when needed in a separate room undisturbed and older children relax with books or art and craft activities to recuperate after a day studying.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children's protection is inadequately secured. The childminder is not aware of the booklet 'What to do if you're worried a child is being abused' and does not know whom to contact if she is concerned a child may be being ill treated. This may lead to an unnecessary delay in support or protection for children because the childminder cannot act effectively in passing on information to the appropriate agencies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are cared for in a safe indoor environment. The childminder has undertaken a risk assessment of her home and put a range of precautions in place to prevent children injuring themselves. The fire is guarded and a gate prevents access to the stairs. The childminder has thought about how she may get out of the house in an emergency and has clear plans if needed in an emergency. Children demonstrate a positive awareness of conduct when crossing roads and walking along footpaths on their return from school, demonstrating their awareness of the importance of taking care of their own safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are settled in the childminder's care. They can access a range of age-appropriate safe indoor equipment which is regularly checked and maintained by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder never leaves the children unattended and adult members of the household have current checks. Children are not released to anyone without the parents permission and the childminder's home is secure so children cannot leave unattended or strangers enter her premises without first being viewed.

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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 good. Children enjoy a warm relationship with the childminder. She makes time to listen to all the children and they talk eloquently about their day at school. Conversations turn to discussions about lawn mowers when they notice a gardener out tending his lawn and the childminder listens attentively ensuring children know of her interest in what they have to say. As a result children are secure in her care as they know she will respond to their needs and be attentive.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

All children are keen to explore the activities and equipment provided for play which promote their development. The childminder has an awareness of what young children like to do and makes plans with the children for future activities. The children enjoy many types of craft and art activities which they are keen to discuss with visitors. They talk about favourite ink stampers, painting games and making picnics under the gazebo in summer. Children help to serve and prepare pretend tea parties with the extensive home play equipment upstairs. This helps to promote their imagination and children play and co-operate well together showing good social skills. Older children enjoy playing with construction equipment, pencils, paper and creating their own imaginative games with machines built from construction equipment. Children enjoy looking at books and show great care and concern for younger companions as they help them

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to carefully climb the trampoline steps.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Whilst the childminder is not caring for children under three years at this time she has some awareness of the 'Birth to three matters' framework.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder talks with parents about activities enjoyed by the children on departure to further support children's development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children's welfare in case of parental concerns is not adequately supported. The childminder does not clearly display her registration certificate and has not shared with parents her arrangements for responding to any complaints they may have about her service. This could lead to any unnecessary delay in parents receiving a prompt and appropriate response to their concerns and as a result children's welfare is not robustly assured. The childminder is not aware of any parents who may have any concerns at this time. Other previous parents comment favourably on the childminder's care of their children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are treated as individuals and parental wishes regarding care are respected. All children are included in activities ensuring they feel valued. They all take part in craft and art activities and sit together to share snacks and refreshments making a relaxed social occasion for all children. The childminder is beginning to develop her resources to promote the wider world. Children are able to talk about difference in their surroundings and the childminder is continuing to develop her books, play activities and resources to further promote equality.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Whilst no children with specific needs attend at this time the childminder has an understanding about children's development stages. She has an awareness of the need to raise any concerns with parents about potential learning difficulties and/or disabilities and support parents in accessing services to ensure children's individual needs are met.

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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 Children are well supervised by the childminder who guides their behaviour to keep them safe. Older children are praised readily to encourage acceptable behaviour and the childminder talks with younger children about right and wrong to develop their social skills. The childminder is polite and courteous towards the children which helps them to see a positive example of how to be kind and respectful towards each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept well informed about what their children have been doing after school. The childminder ensures she is available to talk with the parents at the end of the day and pass on any messages from school to ensure continuity of care for the children.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children's care is not sufficiently supported as the childminder does not securely demonstrate that she has organised herself effectively to meet all of her responsibilities under the National Standards. Children are inadequately supported in terms of their protection and parents are not fully informed about arrangements should they have a complaint. In addition the childminder has failed to inform Ofsted of a significant event, that of a change to her household and the arrival of her new baby. This affects the number of children she can be registered to care for at anyone time and could have lead to children's welfare and care being compromised.

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Organisation

Children make use of all the available space within the home appropriately. The childminder provides sufficient space for the children indoors and outdoors to ensure they can play, be active relax and eat in comfort. Toys are accessible so children can help themselves and make choices promoting their independence.

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Organisation

Children's care is supported in some areas by the availability of clear written records. The childminder has developed a register to show children's attendance in case of an emergency evacuation and accident records are in place should they be needed to ensure the children's safety in this regard.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to make sure she recorded children's hours of attendance, that children did not have access to hazardous items in the bathroom, that she requested written permission from parents to seek medical advice in an emergency or administer medication and to hold an accident and medication record book. The childminder has made positive progress on addressing these matters to further improve the children's care and welfare in these regards.

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Improvements since the last inspection

A register has been set up where the childminder records each child's arrival and departure times and she has purchased the required accident and medication record books which are being used appropriately. Items that could harm children have been removed from the bathroom and parents give written permission regarding a variety of matters in relation to their children's care including permission to seek medical advice in an emergency and medication if needed.

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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

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 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: • ensure parents are informed about arrangements should they have a complaint and ensure the registration certificate is clearly displayed • ensure an awareness of the booklet 'What to do if you are worried a child is being abused' and know whom to contact if you are concerned about a child • set out plans as to how you intend to keep Ofsted informed of significant events. 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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