Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY242472 Unique Reference Number 14 January 2008 Inspection date Denys Rasmussen / Cheryl Walker 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 - enforcement action. 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 2003.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her four children, two of whom are adults, and two aged six and ten years. The family live in a house in Lee, London Borough of Lewisham.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time when she is working alone. When an assistant is present she can look after a maximum of six children. Presently there are seven children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a clean and well maintained home. Children learn when to wash their hands and have individual bedding which reduces the risk of cross contamination. The childminder asks parents not to bring their child if they are unwell or have an infectious disease to prevent the risk of spreading infection. The childminder ensures she has written consent

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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 from parents and keeps clear records about when she has administered medication. This information is shared with parents to ensure children's health needs are met. The childminder and her assistant are qualified in first aid which means accidents are dealt with appropriately. The childminder takes information about children's dietary requirements so that she can provide an appropriate diet. The children are offered a satisfactory menu, however it does not always promote healthy eating habits. This includes breakfast, lunch and tea with a snack of fruit after they wake up in the afternoon.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a secure premises where they have areas to sleep, eat and play comfortably. The children have access to toys which are appropriate for their age to enable them to play safely. Most equipment is appropriate for the children attending, however children sit, strapped in car seats in the conservatory to drink their bottle of milk and one of the children does not fit comfortably into the seat offered. The childminder has risk assessed her home and put measures in place to prevent accidental injury. For example, when the children are playing in the dining room she moves the table to restrict access to the kitchen and to provide more play space. All hazardous substances are out of children's reach and children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised. The childminder demonstrated through discussion and a written policy her knowledge with regard to child protection and understands the procedures

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

to follow if concerned about a child. The childminder has improved her fire safety precautions by installing a fire blanket onto the kitchen wall. There are smoke alarms on both levels of the premises and because the childminder only uses the ground floor the children can be evacuated quickly. However, at the time of inspection, on arrival the childminder was caring for more children than she is registered for without having an assistant present.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are broadly content and settled in the childminder's home. They are interested in a suitable, albeit limited range of developmentally appropriate activities. They enjoy singing and dancing along to music and using role play equipment. For example, play food and kitchen equipment. The activities are not formally planned but there is a consistent routine so children know what to expect. Both the childminder and her assistant know the children well and warm relationships are evident. The children attend local community groups, this enables them to make friends, building their confidence and social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder records satisfactory information about the children to be able to provide appropriate care. The childminder and her assistant know the children well and treat them with equal care and concern. Children's cultural backgrounds are respected and they gain a sense of pride and belonging, for example when they are encouraged to wear their national costumes at traditional celebrations. The childminder provides an inclusive environment and is experienced in caring for children with disabilities. The children are generally well behaved and play well together. The childminder and her assistant have realistic expectations and skilfully intervene to avoid minor conflict. The childminder has a written behaviour management policy which she discusses with the parents. The childminder's portfolio provides useful information for parents

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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 about the service she provides, her qualifications, her policies and procedures and correspondence from Ofsted. Appropriate written parental consents are in place and the childminder shares information with parents about their child's progress at regular parent reviews.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has organised her home so children have areas to rest, eat and play. The children are used to a familiar routine which helps them to feel secure. The childminder, her assistant and adult members of the household are properly vetted, ensuring they are suitable to be with children. The childminder is in breach of her conditions of registration, because she is not always ensuring that she is not caring for more children than she is registered. Most regulatory records are maintained satisfactorily and the childminder now maintains a register of the children's attendance. However, she does not maintain a daily record of the names of the persons looking after the children. This means, in the event of needing to check the historical record; children are not fully protected. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the provision was judged to be inadequate and actions to improve were given. The childminder was told she must ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible on the premises and available for inspection at all times; to meet required adult :child ratios, ensuring that she care for no more than the number of children for whom she is registered; to take positive steps to promote fire safety and to maintain a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises, their hours of attendance and the names of the persons who looked after them.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved fire safety precautions by fixing a fire blanket to her kitchen wall. She has ensured her records relating to childminding are readily accessible on the premises and so are available for inspection. However, she is not ensuring she is caring for no more than the number of children for whom she is registered which means children's safety is compromised and they are sometimes experiencing insufficient adult support to feel secure and confident.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has improved her attendance records for the children and now records their times of arrival and departure. However, she does not record the names of the persons who looked after them, so she cannot accurately account for her adult: child ratios.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been two complaints.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were received on 05 July 2006 about the number of children being cared for. This relates to the childminder’s conditions of registration. A childcare inspector visited on 07 July 2006. The childminder was breaching her conditions of registration by caring for an extra child under five years. On this occasion a warning letter was sent.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Information was received on 11 January 2007 raising concerns about the suitability of members of the childminder's household; this related to National Standard 1 – Suitable Person. An unannounced visit was carried out on 24 January 2007 and the inspector found that members of the childminder's household, aged over 16 years, had not undergone suitability checks; this

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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 had previously been the subject of an action and so the following Notice of Failure to Comply with Regulations was issued:

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Complaints since the last inspection

- Ensure that persons over the age of 16 years living or regularly present in the household, undergo checks including a criminal records check.

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Complaints since the last inspection

During the visit, the inspector found that the childminder was not accurately maintaining attendance registers and the following action was raised:

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Complaints since the last inspection

- maintain an accurate record of children's daily attendance.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder took appropriate steps to meet the actions required. In a subsequent interview carried out on 8 May 2007, the childminder admitted that she had not notified Ofsted of a significant event; a warning letter was issued in relation to this matter.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The childminder met the national standards and remained qualified for registration at the time the investigation was closed.

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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 - enforcement action. 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

Ofsted is taking enforcement action to safeguard the welfare of children.

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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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