Childminder in Hertfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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149467 Unique Reference Number 31 January 2008 Inspection date Suman Willis 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 has been registered since 1991. She lives with her husband and their adult child aged 19 years in the village of Barkway near Royston, close to all local amenities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder may care for no more than three children under eight years and she is currently caring for one child under the age of eight years and two children over eight years part-time. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She takes children to the local park and on outings.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There were no children present during the inspection.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of promoting children's physical development and the importance of regular fresh air. She walks children to and from school daily and takes children to the park. Children have easy access to a well-resourced garden. Children would sleep and rest according to their individual needs.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a basic understanding of how children’s health is promoted. She has written permission from parents to administer medication and verbally seeks information about their health needs. However, permission from parents to administer emergency aid has not been obtained which compromises partnership with parents in promoting children's health. She describes how children would learn about their personal hygiene through their normal daily routines and through discussions about washing hands before meals and after toileting.

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Helping children to be healthy

From discussion the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of healthy eating, including the need to have drinking water accessible at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The childminder has taken action to ensure that risks in and outside her home have been minimised, so that children can play safely. She explains how she helps children to learn about their own safety through discussion about fire evacuation and road safety. She has resources such as a stair gate and cupboard locks to keep children safe. She demonstrates how play resources are well maintained by regularly checking them and ensuring that they are hygienically maintained.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has limited understanding of child protection and is not familiar with the Local Safeguarding Children Board, which puts children at risk.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder talks about encouraging children’s language through reading stories and their creative skills through drawing and painting. She discusses how she would offer a variety of activities such as junk modelling, sand play and construction to promote children's development. The impact of these on the children’s development is not clear as there are no records of what children can do.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Play resources are organised in a manner which helps to promote children’s free choice. They are sufficient in quality and easily accessible because they are stored in stackable boxes and chests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of settling children into the setting so that they feel a sense of belonging and how she enables them to make independent choices

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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 by storing resources at their level. The childminder showed a sound understanding of promoting children's understanding of the local community by talking to them as they walk to and from school and visit the local park and woods. She discussed how children learn about the wider world through conversation and resources such as play people and books.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrated how she shares information with parents verbally which also includes information about her complaints procedure. Therefore, documents to share information such as activities provided and business arrangements are not formally agreed. Therefore, partnership with parents is not effective and does not promote children's care, learning and play.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder demonstrates a limited understanding of child protection and child development which puts children at risk. The childminder discusses how she provides a basic routine around the children's needs to enable them to feel settled and take an active part in the setting. The childminder has developed some basic documents, however these are not used to promote children's care, learning and play.

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Organisation

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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to: complete an appropriate first course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children; obtain written parental consents and have all the required documentations in-place prior to commencing new childminding arrangements. These recommendations have not been fully met and therefore, actions have been raised.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted have received one complaint relating to numbers of children and safety. This relates to National Standard 2; organisation and National Standard 6;safety. A childcare inspector conducted an unannounced visit to the premises on 02/04/2007. Two actions were raised relating to National Standard 12; working in partnership with parents and carers, and National Standard 14; documentation. The provider remained qualified for registration at the time of the visit.

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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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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

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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 • ensure that the child protection procedure complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) • maintain records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient and safe management of the provision, and to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. Ensure records about individual children are shared with the child's parent. 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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