Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY266219 Unique Reference Number 17 October 2007 Inspection date Justine Leong 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 children aged nine weeks, five years and 16 years in a house in West Mersea. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is an 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 four children at any one time and is currently caring for one child on a part-time basis. The childminder attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children are kept generally healthy at this setting as the childminder follows appropriate hygiene routines such as washing their hands with baby wipes whenever required and before eating. The childminder also ensures cross-infection is minimised as parents are discouraged from

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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 bringing unwell children to the setting. There is an accident and incident record in place and the childminder has undertaken first aid training. However, the childminder does not have written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for the children in her care. This compromises children's good health and fails to ensure appropriate measures will be taken if they have an accident.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of healthy eating and offers the children a range of healthy snacks and meals such as roast dinners or pasta. All meals are prepared daily using fresh ingredients. Children have constant access to fresh drinking water to ensure they do not become dehydrated.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder also demonstrates an understanding of the need for children to have regular physical exercise. She encourages children to use the garden when the weather is good and takes children on visits to local places of interest, such as the beach or the local park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in a bright and clean environment where they have adequate space to play and move around. The childminder is aware of potential hazards and has taken some steps to minimise risk including storing toys at appropriate height for different aged children to access. For instance, babies can independently access large wooden bricks but smaller construction toys are stored on a high shelf which they are unable to reach. Toys are regularly cleaned and checked for signs of damage.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Smoke alarms and a fire blanket are in place at the setting, however, the childminder has not considered how she would evacuate the property in the event of an emergency, failing to ensure children are kept safe. Children's welfare is generally protected as the childminder has some understanding of her role in child protection. However, she is unsure of who to contact if she has concerns about a child in her care. This potentially compromises children's welfare.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are able to choose from a variety of appropriate play equipment and resources which are easily accessible as they are stored within the main playroom. They select play activities independently and are encouraged to make their own choices throughout the day. Children's development is promoted as the childminder provides a range of resources to include all areas of learning. Their natural curiosity as learners is encouraged as the childminder knows what the children enjoy playing with and activities are provided based on the children's interests. The childminder talks to the children constantly to encourage language development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have independent access to books, puzzles, small world toys and construction toys. Many resources provided are made from natural materials such as wood, encouraging children to use all their senses to explore them. Children are developing in confidence as the childminder offers support and encouragement and praises their achievements. For example, a very young child persists for some time and manages to correctly place wooden tubes in their holder. The childminder rewards the achievement with a clap and a cheer, helping to develop good self-esteem. Children also have regular opportunities for learning about the environment and their local area as the childminder often takes them to visit the nearby beach.

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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

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled due to the warm and friendly attitude of the childminder. They are developing a sense of belonging as they are encouraged to bring familiar items from home to help them settle if distressed. Children are cared for in an environment that positively celebrates children's differences and similarities and have access to resources such as small world figures and books, helping to foster a positive view of diversity. The childminder has some experience of working with children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and would willingly work with parents to ensure individual needs were met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Even very young children are encouraged to play a productive part in the setting as the childminder encourages them to help tidy away toys before starting to play with something else. Children's well-being is promoted as the childminder and parents have developed a working relationship. They share important information about the children's needs, likes and dislikes and daily verbal communication ensures that parents are kept up to date with any significant events or achievements.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder organises her day to include regular, familiar routines to ensure that children feel welcomed and secure and that they have access to a range of activities that generally promote their care, learning and play. The childminder remains within her registered numbers and has an appropriate regard for the well-being of all children in her care.

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Organisation

However, the childminder fails to comply with the condition of registration by ensuring that persons over the age of 16 years living in the household when children are being minded undergo checks including a criminal records check. This compromises children's safety and well-being. The childminder has undertaken some relevant training to underpin her practice including recent first aid training. Limited documentation is in place, however, there are no written policies or procedures and the childminder does not have public liability insurance, potentially compromising children's safety. This is further compromised as there are no written parental permissions in place to seek emergency medical treatment or advice. Overall, children's needs are not met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was recommended that the childminder: complete first aid training; obtain the latest written information on child protection; request written parental permission for emergency medical treatment and ensure public liability insurance is in place.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has completed first aid training, helping to ensure children receive appropriate care in the event of a medical emergency. The childminder has also obtained some information about child protection issues but remains unsure of who to contact, potentially compromising children's welfare. The childminder had obtained public liability insurance but this has since lapsed again and she has not obtained written parental permission for emergency medical treatment, failing to ensure children are kept safe in the event of a medical emergency.

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Improvements 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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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: • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • comply with the condition of registration to ensure that persons over the age of 16 years living in the household when children are being minded undergo checks including a criminal records check • ensure children are kept safe at the setting, this refers to developing and practising an emergency evacuation plan and ensuring public liability insurance is maintained. 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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