Childminder in Nottinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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258740 Unique Reference Number 20 February 2008 Inspection date Jan Burnet 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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 13 and 11 years, in a village location close to Bingham in Nottinghamshire. Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor. There is an enclosed rear garden which is available for outdoor play. The family has two guinea pigs.

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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 currently cares for two children under five and three school children aged under eight.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children's well-being is compromised because the childminder does not hold an in-date first aid certificate, her first aid box is not fully stocked and written consent from parents for seeking emergency treatment has not been obtained. The childminder's cleaning routines satisfactorily

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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 promote children's health and she ensures that they gain an awareness of personal hygiene. The risk of cross-infection is minimised because parents are aware that their child should not attend if he or she has a contagious illness or sickness and diarrhoea.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's individual dietary needs are known. Parents provide meals, which are safely stored in the fridge. The childminder provides fruit or biscuits for snacks after school. Children develop skills and confidence with use of a good range of physical play equipment at home and at the park. Children's emotional well-being is promoted effectively by the childminder and begins with a gradual settling-in period.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play, eat and sleep in safe and healthy premises. They play mainly in the family sitting room and adjacent living room but also have access to the dining room and kitchen. Children are safe because their toys are clean, safe and are kept in a good condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Risks to children are minimised because they play in a satisfactorily safe environment. The childminder is alert to her responsibilities with regard to supervision and children’s risk of injury in the home is minimised because she has addressed potential hazards. For example, sockets are covered, low-level glass is safe and the fire is not used and could not be switched on by a child. Children are protected in case of fire because the childminder has developed and regularly practises the fire drill with them. Children's welfare is appropriately safeguarded because the childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and is aware of local referral procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled and have access to a range of resources that meet their needs at their different stages of development. Routines are consistent and include activities inside and outside the home. Babies develop social skills at parent and toddler groups and have access to a range of resources that promote their senses and the development of large and small muscles. The childminder encourages them to enjoy books and music and provides a range of toys to promote learning for the next stage in their development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

School age children attend for only an hour after school and choose to play outside in the garden and with a range of games, puzzles, colouring books, play dough, painting, gluing and sticking. Children enjoy dressing-up, dancing, gymnastics, challenging construction toys and playing with dolls and prams. Children are supported well by the childminder and relationships are good.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children's information is exchanged with parents verbally at the end of each day and admission forms include all required information. However, the childminder does not inform parents of the required complaints procedure included in the revision to criteria, October 2005, with regard to the required response to written complaints and parents' rights to access records. Potentially this impacts upon the quality of care provided.

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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 Children’s individual needs are known and met appropriately by the childminder. They gain an awareness of diversity because they choose from adequate toys that reflect positive images of culture and disability. The childminder has not cared for a child with a learning difficulty and/or disability but would find out as much as possible about the child from the parent in order to provide appropriate care. Children benefit from the childminder's consistent methods of behaviour management which include praise in recognition of good behaviour, distraction, explanation and calm down time away from other children if necessary.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has not attended first aid training since 2002 and so her certificate lapsed in 2005. Complaints information is not shared with parents and written emergency treatment consent has not been obtained. Other required documentation is kept up to date and confidentiality of records is addressed appropriately.

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Organisation

The childminder creates a welcoming environment for children. Admission information and verbal communication with parents ensures that children's needs are known and satisfactorily met. Children's developmental needs are addressed with consistent routines, the choice of toys and an adequate range of activities.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection the childminder was asked to ensure written permission is obtained from parents for seeking emergency medical advise or treatment, transporting by car and before administering any medication to children. This recommendation has been addressed in part only because written permission for emergency treatment has not been requested. The childminder was asked to ensure a record is maintained of all accidents, incidents or existing injuries and of any medication, which is administered to children. Children's best interests are served because this has been satisfactorily addressed. The childminder was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of procedures to follow if allegations of abuse are made while a child is in her care. Children's welfare is addressed appropriately because the childminder is now aware of local procedures. The childminder was asked to ensure that her public liability

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Improvements since the last inspection

insurance is kept in date and this has been addressed.

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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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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 • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • develop knowledge of complaints procedures with regard to revision to certain criteria October 2005. 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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