Brown, Leigh Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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312393 Unique Reference Number 06 November 2007 Inspection date Cilla Burdis 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 teenage children in Hebburn, South Tyneside. The whole ground floor 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 a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children aged under five years and two children aged over five years before and after school. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has two dogs and one cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment where good standards of hygiene are maintained. Children learn to manage their own personal hygiene through effective routines. They learn, for example, that they must wash their hands to get rid of germs. The childminder

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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 follows a sensible policy for dealing with children who are ill, which minimises the spread of infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are involved in a good range of physical activities both indoors and outside. They ride bicycles, exercise on the trampoline and enjoy vigorous outdoor play when visiting local parks. This enables children to use up energy and enjoy fresh air, which contributes to their good health.

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Helping children to be healthy

Appetising meals, such as traditional roast dinners and pasta dishes ensure the children receive the nourishment necessary for their growth and physical development. They enjoy snacks of yogurts and fruit and occasional treats, such as biscuits or crisps. This approach helps the children to form a balanced approach to food and eating.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Sufficient, clear floor space in the childminder's home allows the children to move around freely. The childminder organises her home effectively so that the children have good levels of choice and independence in play. There is an adequate range of toys which are clean, in good condition and suitable for the children to handle.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Most risks to children's safety within the childminder's home have been identified and minimised. The childminder, however, is not always vigilant in ensuring that the required safety measures are maintained at all times, with regard to the security of the premises, the low-level blind cords and the storage of medication. This compromises children's safety. The childminder keeps children under her direct supervision to monitor their safety. Sensitive reminders help children to learn about keeping themselves safe; for example, they must not run in the house so they do not get hurt. Sound arrangements are in place to protect children on outings. The younger children are strapped securely in buggies or walking reins are used. As they become more independent the childminder provides clear boundaries and the children learn how to keep safe when crossing the road.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is safeguarded as the childminder has a sound understanding of the main areas of child abuse and of possible signs and symptoms. She has a clear understanding of what to do if she has any concerns and has relevant contact details readily available.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children settle well with the childminder. She ensures she is well informed of each child's requirements and is aware of the support they need to help them develop. She supports their play and learning by being involved in their activities and asking appropriate questions. The children have developed good relationships with the childminder and each other. The children enjoy each other's company as they chat and share laughter together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have easy access to an interesting range of toys and resources including puzzles, construction resources, role play props and creative materials. The childminder encourages the children to make choices about their play and they confidently make requests for specific activities. The daily routine is based around the school day and in accordance with the individual needs of the children cared for. This helps to develop children's sense of belonging and security. The routine includes plenty of time for children to take part in enjoyable activities, such as

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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 experimenting with play dough, gluing or drawing. The children receive lots of praise and encouragement for their efforts, which helps develop their self-esteem and confidence.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make regular visits to child-centred facilities including toddler group and the local park and community farm. The children also visit the local shops, where the childminder sets tasks for them to find specific items for her. These visits broaden children's experiences and develop their awareness of the local community.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder requests clear guidance from parents about their child's care needs including their likes, dislikes and special requirements. This enables her to meet their individual needs appropriately. Children's awareness of the wider world is raised through discussions and access to some resources reflecting different cultures. This helps them learn to understand how people are individuals with differing cultures and beliefs. The childminder does not have any resources reflecting positive images of disability, which limits opportunities to raise children's awareness about this aspect of diversity.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well as the childminder implements effective house rules that teach children how to behave acceptably. Age-appropriate strategies are used in line with each child's level of understanding and maturity. The childminder encourages good behaviour through constructive praise.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the satisfactory partnership developed between the childminder and parents. Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes, which promotes continuity of care. Information is shared verbally, on a daily basis to ensure both parties are kept up to date regarding children's care needs. The childminder informs parents of their child's care and activities when they collect their child. The children take home their creative work to show their parents what they have been doing.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The premises are well organised, both indoors and outside, ensuring that the children have easy access to a range of activities and are able to rest or sleep in accordance with their individual needs. The layout helps to maximise play opportunities and allows good levels of supervision to take place. The childminder organises the day around the needs of the children, which ensures that individual needs are catered for appropriately.

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Organisation

Documentation is well organised and readily accessible. Records are stored securely to protect confidentiality and all parental consents are in place. The registration certificate is prominently displayed in the kitchen for parents to examine at any time. All documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the provision, however, is not in place. The record of attendance does not clearly record details of children's arrival and departure times. The childminder does not hold a current first aid certificate, which compromises children's health and safety. The childminder has not ensured that all persons aged 16 and over have been vetted by Ofsted to ensure their suitability to have regular contact with children. This compromises children's safety.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was requested to: ensure the fireguard is correctly secured; ensure hazardous items are stored safely; provide an appropriate range of resources to promote diversity; ensure the temperature is appropriate in all areas used by children; and provide written information for parents that sets out the expectations of both parties.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made the fireguard secure by using attachments to fit it to the wall to ensure children are adequately protected from the fire. At the previous inspection, a razor blade had been left out in the bathroom. The childminder makes sure all hazardous items are stored safely in the bathroom and she accompanies the younger children to ensure their safety. Resources reflecting positive images of culture have been obtained but the childminder does not have any that are reflective of disability. This limits the opportunities to raise children's awareness of all aspects of diversity. To ensure the temperature is appropriate in all areas used by children, the childminder has had the radiator in the kitchen refitted. The childminder has written contracts with parents but she does not provide any additional written information that sets out the expectations of both parties. She prefers to share this information verbally with

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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 an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • inform Ofsted of all persons aged 16 and over who are living on the premises so that relevant suitability checks may be undertaken. 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

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