Childminder in Kingston upon Hull

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

313380 Unique Reference Number 26 March 2008 Inspection date Cathryn Parry 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 was registered in 1997. She lives with her husband and two children aged 15 and 13 years in the residential area of Hull. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed yard for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone, and for eight children when working with an assistant. She is currently minding 10 children aged under eight years. She also cares for children aged over eight years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a dog, a cat and a goldfish.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children access some opportunities for physical play, including using sit and ride toys in the back yard. The childminder also takes them to the nearby park where they can explore large climbing equipment and enjoy exercise in the fresh air. Children are active or restful through

p.2

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 choice and babies sleep according to their individual needs and parents’ and carers’ wishes. Parents and carers generally bring packed meals for their children. The childminder provides snacks and drinks, including fruit, biscuits, diluted juice and water. Consequently, children are adequately nourished. Imaginative food related activities are participated in. Examples of these are making fruit salad, designing faces out of fruit and preparing pasta salad. These encourage children to try different foods and foster good lifestyle habits.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. The childminder does not gain written permission from parents and carers to administer medicines. This is a breach of regulations and compromises children's well-being. However, the childminder does keep a written record of medicines given and parents and carers do sign to acknowledge their administration. She also states that parents and carers sometimes provide a letter to give permission or send a text message. These are not retained, as highlighted at the previous inspection, and there is therefore no evidence to substantiate this. Children do not attend if they are sick, which enables the childminder to protect others from illness. She can respond appropriately if children have an accident as she is trained to administer first aid. New forms have been devised for parents and carers to give written consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment if needed. However, these have not

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

been signed, which compromises children's well-being. The childminder and her assistant set an appropriate example as the children watch them clean the table before they have lunch. However, the childminder does not always encourage children to wash their hands before eating. Consequently, this does not foster good personal hygiene routines.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are appropriately safeguarded as the childminder’s home is secure at all times. This is supplemented with suitable procedures for adults collecting children. The main play room has a display board with children's art work for children to enjoy and give visual stimuli. Windows in this room enable children to benefit from some natural light whilst playing indoors. Suitable equipment is available to meet children's individual needs, for example, a high chair and changing mat. They participate in activities fully as furniture and equipment are of an appropriate size. This includes a low level table and chairs and a large comfortable settee. Regular checks and cleaning keep the broad range of toys and resources in a suitable condition. This ensures that children handle items that are generally clean and safe. Those who go on outings are kept safe as they learn the 'Green Cross Code' and have age-appropriate restraints if needed. The

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

childminder further raises children's awareness of road safety by providing related activities, such as making traffic lights and chalking a road in the back yard.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children experience adequate levels of supervision and appropriate safety equipment is in place to ensure hazards are reduced. This includes smoke detectors, electrical socket covers and safety gates. She has attended relevant child protection training and demonstrates a suitable understanding of associated issues. Consequently, children are safeguarded appropriately. Most of the required procedures and documentation are in place to ensure that children’s welfare is safeguarded and promoted. There are new forms in place for parents and carers to give written consent for children to travel in a vehicle. However, these have not been signed, which has a negative impact on meeting parents and carers wishes.

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

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are happy and relate well to the childminder and her assistant as they join in with their play. They enjoy their time in the childminding environment and are eager to participate in the variety of activities provided. These include singing, completing jigsaw puzzles and exploring musical toys. There is wide selection of toys and activities, which provide challenges and help children to make progress. Children freely move from one area to another and are spontaneous in their play and interactions with other children and adults. They benefit from a flexible routine, including a balance of child-centred and adult-led activities. Use is made of the local area giving children a breadth of opportunities. Examples of this are when they visit the shops and look at the animals in the park.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children’s mathematical thinking is encouraged as they use shape sorters and weigh ingredients for baking. They enjoy looking at books, both independently and with an adult. Children delight in using their imagination as they pretend to speak to their mummy on the toy telephone and make enclosures for the plastic animals. They have a growing understanding of the natural world through a variety of experiences, such as planting bulbs, growing cress and grass. A variety of creative activities including painting, cutting and sticking, promote children's self-expression whilst having fun. The childminder and her assistant interact with the children in a positive way, which supports and develops their knowledge and understanding.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. A short induction period, including visits with parents and carers, enables children to settle into the new environment. Children respond well to the positive and caring approach taken by the childminder and her assistant. They relate warmly to the children and build children's confidence by acknowledging their achievements and giving praise. Positive role modelling by the childminder and appropriate resources encourage children’s growing knowledge of equal opportunities. She does celebrate a limited number of celebrations and festivals, such as Christmas and Chinese New year. There are also a range of resources to promote children's awareness and understanding of difference. These include small world figures, jigsaws and books showing positive images of different cultures and people with disabilities. The childminder has some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and disabilities. She has

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

also attended some training and shows a positive attitude to including all children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children receive consistent care as there is a daily exchange of information between the childminder, parents and carers about the children's day. This takes place verbally and with written diaries for younger children. Parents and carers are also able to contact the childminder with any concerns using the telephone or by text messaging. Children behave well and are beginning to understand the consequences of unacceptable behaviour to others. The childminder has good strategies in place for managing behaviour, which are appropriate to the children's ages and stages of development and understanding. Older children are encouraged to develop a sense of responsibility as they help to tidy the toys away and contribute to preparing lunch. Consistent encouragement ensures children are developing a good knowledge of what is right and wrong. Children regularly show good manners, for instance, when spontaneously saying

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

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children access play opportunities through the suitable organisation of space, time and resources. The downstairs rooms of the property are use solely for childminding purposes. Consequently, children are able to participate in a range of quiet, boisterous and messy activities. The flexible routine enables children to participate in a range of activities, including visits to places of interest. The range of resources are stored at the children's height to promote free choice and independence. These are rotated by the childminder to inspire children to play.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has been caring for children for over 10 years, which has a positive impact on the care provided. However, she does not have a copy of the National Standards for under 8's day care and childminding. This makes it difficult for her to know and implement the regulations. Children’s welfare is appropriately safeguarded as the childminder, her assistant and other household members have had suitable checks completed. She is aware of her current registration requirements and adheres to them. This has a positive impact on children's well-being. Relevant policies and children's individual documentation are in place and stored adequately to maintain confidentiality. Consequently, their privacy is maintained.

p.5

Organisation

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

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the childminder was asked to ensure a system is implemented to retain parent’s prior written consent to administer medication. She was also asked to ensure an accurate account of children's attendance is maintained, kept up to date and available for inspection. A request was made to ensure trailing wires are secured and an appropriate valid MOT (Ministry of Transport) certificate is obtained. The childminder has positively addressed these requests, except for ensuring a system is in place to retain prior consent to administer medicines. Consequently, although children's welfare has been positively impacted upon, their welfare is still being compromised.

p.5

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. 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.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

p.5

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 parents and carers give prior written permission for the childminder to administer medicines. 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