Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY277460 Unique Reference Number 30 August 2007 Inspection date Deborah Ann Benn Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since 2004. She lives with her partner and three children aged 14, 11 and five years old. The family live in a house in a residential area of Collier Row in the London borough of Havering. The premises are within walking distance of local schools, shops, parks, bus routes and community resources. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years old at any one time. There are currently two children being cared for on a regular basis. One child aged over five attends before & after school and one under five is cared for during the day - both children are cared for part time. The childminder attends local toddler groups and meets regularly with other registered childminders. The family do not have any pets.

p.2

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

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Although the childminder has not yet completed her first aid training, she has secured a place on a suitable course and is aware of her responsibility to ensure that her training is maintained. This lessens the risk of children not receiving the appropriate treatment in an emergency. An appropriately stocked first aid kit is readily available in the kitchen, therefore any action necessary to aid children's well-being following an accident is suitably resourced. Appropriate systems are in place to ensure that the administration of medication is recorded and countersigned by parents. This promotes continuity of care, ensuring that information is passed on and limits the risk of children receiving inappropriate dosages. The high standard of hygiene and cleanliness throughout the premises, supported by the childminder's good routines, ensures that children are well cared for and their health and wellbeing promoted. The childminder is a

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

good role model, she washes her hands before preparing food and after changing nappies and speaks to the children about the importance of making sure their hands are clean before they eat. Children's nutritional needs are met, the childminder provides balanced meals and snacks which promote healthy eating. Children's likes and dislikes are taken into consideration as well as parents' wishes being adhered to. The childminder is vigilant and checks that children drink sufficiently throughout the day, particularly in warm weather. Children confidently access their drinks from their own easily identifiable cups.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is appropriately supported. Children move confidently between activities and enjoy dancing to music and practising their physical skills such as hopping. They have regular opportunities to exercise in the fresh air when playing in the garden as well as being taken on walks locally and regular outings to parks. Children practise their fine motor skills as they use different tools and techniques and take part in a wide range of creative activities.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children's times of attendance are not accurately recorded. The register records the contractual hours but not the actual hours children are present. This is a breach of regulation. There is a risk that in the event of an emergency, it would not be clear which children were present. There is also a risk of a delay or misdirection to an investigation in the event of a child protection investigation due to misinformation.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has not kept her public liability insurance current.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises are safe and suitable and there is ample room for children to play and rest safely. There is sufficient clear space in the good sized through-lounge for children to get toys out and enjoy playing and dancing without getting in each other's way. Appropriate resources are in place to allow children to move around the ground floor of the premises freely. For example a high latch on the front door prevents children leaving the premises and safety catches on the kitchen cupboard doors means children are unable to access cleaning products. An appropriate range of toys and play resources are readily available to the children with additional equipment, such as art resources, brought out as required. The garden is fully enclosed and well equipped with suitable toys and apparatus.

p.3

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 Children learn about the need to keep themselves and each other safe. Older children are aware of the need for small pieces of toys to be kept out of the reach of younger children and hand them to the childminder readily when getting small world activities out. All children play happily with activities and resources which teach them about road safety, they use puppets talking about the need to "do your belt up" and enjoy singing along to tapes which help them to learn simple but effective rules. However, although a fire escape plan has been devised, this has not yet been practised.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of her responsibility to ensure that any concerns about a child's welfare or safety are passed on swiftly to the appropriate authorities and has guidance and contact numbers readily available.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They are confident and comfortable with the childminder and her family and interact happily with both adults and children. Children respond well to the childminder's gentle and warm approach and display appropriate and spontaneous affection.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's language development is well supported, as the childminder reflects children's words back to them and interprets their gesticulations and sounds. The childminder spends time talking with the children, inspiring their imaginations as she shares stories and engaging with them in their activities. This builds their confidence and helps them to develop in all areas. Children have regular opportunities to take part in creative activities and enjoy painting and making collages as well as making cakes together. Regular outings, both locally to parks and toddler groups and further afield to farms and other places of interest, give children a wide range of activities and a happy and interesting time with the childminder.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are met and catered for. The childminder is aware of how different all children are and recognises that they need different approaches and have individual preferences. Children are beginning to learn about the wider world as they play with toys and books reflecting positive images of different cultures and disabilities. Children's behaviour is good, they are aware of the childminder's clear expectations and boundaries and respond positively to this. The childminder uses age appropriate, positive behaviour management to help children learn to manage their own behaviour and to understand what is and is not acceptable. Children are kept well occupied and distraction is used effectively to diffuse potentially difficult situations.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Parents are kept informed about their child's day through regular conversation. The childminder is aware of the importance of working closely with parents to help children to settle. Introductory visits and short stays are used, building up to the agreed times over a suitable period to support parent and child to separate without distress.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Although written agreements are in place with parents confirming the hours children are cared for and the agreed payment. Some agreements to support a professional relationship are insufficiently detailed and those that are in place are not consistently adhered to. The childminder has an agreement with parents that she may take children in her car if the

p.4

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 appropriate insurance is in place, however this has not yet been obtained and children have been taken on occasional car outings. Not respecting the agreements that are in place brings a risk of a breakdown in the trust between parent and childminder and ultimately that children's welfare is not fully promoted.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Omissions in record keeping and organisation have an adverse effect on the provision. Although the childminder organises her home well and plans interesting activities and outings; she has not ensured that all required documentation is appropriately maintained. This means that partnership with parents is not fully supported, records are inaccurate and necessary insurance not in place. Not accurately recording the hours of children's attendance is a breach of regulation.

p.5

Organisation

Children's details are recorded and stored appropriately with an awareness of confidentiality.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder is aware of her responsibility to keep a record of any complaints received in writing from parents and has the necessary forms readily accessible. She is very clear on her responsibility to ensure that no unvetted adults are able to have unsupervised contact with any minded children and that everyone in the household over the age of 16 has the appropriate checks carried out.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to a number of actions and recommendations regarding suitability, safety, documentation and equal opportunities. Most of these have been satisfactorily addressed but not all have been fully achieved.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder devised an action plan for gaining first aid training but was unwell at the time of the original course, she has now obtained another place and will attend this in the near future. A fire blanket is appropriately mounted in the kitchen, accessible electric sockets are covered and the first aid box is appropriately stocked. All these actions have improved the safety of the environment and better secure children's health and welfare.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Toys and books reflecting anti-discriminatory practice have been obtained and are accessed by children daily as part of their play resources. This improves children's opportunity to gain knowledge and understanding of the wider world.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

However, although written parental permission has been gained for use of the car, the details of this have not been adhered to as appropriate car insurance is not in place as per the written agreement with parents. This puts the relationship between parent and childminder at risk and ultimately affects the security of the ongoing placement.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, Ofsted have received two complaints. The first complaint related to National Standard 7:Health and Hygiene and National Standard 12: Partnership with Parents. This involved an allegation made by a parent about the care provided for her child. Ofsted investigated this by carrying out an unannounced visit and it was found that the childminder had not kept a record of all medication or obtained all information necessary. It was also found

p.5

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 that the childminder had not maintained the daily record of attendance and that she had cared for more children than she was registered to care for. Actions were made and the childminder agreed to ensure that she complied with all conditions of registration, attended a training course in first aid, obtained written parental consent before giving medication and keep a written record of same, keep a record of all children's background information and keep a daily record of the hours of children's attendance. The childminder met the National Standards and remained qualified for registration at the time the investigation was closed.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

The second complaint was related to National Standard 14: Documentation regarding not informing Ofsted of a significant event. Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit and it was found that the childminder had not informed Ofsted of a significant event. An action was made and the childminder agreed to ensure to improve systems so that Ofsted were kept informed of any significant events. The childminder met the National Standards and remained qualified for registration at the time the investigation was closed.

p.6

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.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

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 the daily register accurately records times of children's attendance These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6