Childminder in Norfolk

Inspection report for early years provision

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160754 Unique Reference Number 13 December 2007 Inspection date Mandy Gannon 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 1990. She lives in a large five bedroom detached property in Camberley, Surrey. She lives with her partner, two adult sons and daughter aged nine years old. The whole of the property is registered excluding the master bedroom. She is registered for five children and currently has six children under eight on roll who all attend on a part time basis. The family have a pet dog. 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 health and well-being is compromised as insufficient information is recorded in the accident record and confidentiality is not maintained. The childminder's first aid certificate expired a considerable length of time ago. Due to this in the event of an emergency children's care and safety is compromised. The children are at risk of harm due to the childminder's lack of knowledge and ability to perform first aid.

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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 Children benefit from well balanced, nutritious snacks and meals. Food is appropriately stored in the fridge and the childminder ensures she meets any dietary requirements. Children access frequent drinks of water and the childminder ensures she reminds and encourages all children, contributing to a healthy lifestyle.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular opportunities for outside play as they have access to a large enclosed garden. They have an area of the garden referred to as the 'enchanted garden' where they can access a climbing frame, play house, sandpit and secret den area. Children benefit from walking too and from school on a daily basis and participate in regular trips to the parks and to feed the ducks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Since the last inspection there are ongoing concerns that have not been addressed and were actions at the last inspection. Children are not protected from harm as adults over the age of 16 years old in the household have not been vetted and are left unsupervised with the children. Children are at risk as the childminder has limited knowledge of child protection and has not completed recent training, although is aware of her responsibility to report concerns. However, she does not record concerns, and policies and procedures are not up to date and contact details of the Local Safeguarding Children Board are not available.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety around the home is mostly promoted and the childminder has taken active steps since recently moving into the property to put these in place. For example, socket covers are in place, stair gates are in place to separate the children from the dog when required, and locks have been put in place on the gates and sheds. Although, low level glass is accessible in the dining area and master bedroom and alcohol is on a shelf in the utility area that children access.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children have access to a fully resourced dedicated play room where they have a wide range of toys and resources which they can independently access from low level shelving and containers. Children also have access to the majority of the rest of the property which is used for different activities with most safety aspects in place. Children have ample space to move around and have a separate dedicated nursery room upstairs where they sleep.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has carefully considered a fire evacuation plan which is shared with the children and a written plan is shared with their parents. A fire blanket is in place on the kitchen wall and smoke alarms are in position on each level of the property and are frequently tested.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children benefit from a dedicated play room with extensive toys and resources covering all the areas of learning. Children confidently make choices accessing toys and resources from low level boxes. Children are happy, settled and involved and the childminder ensures she meets the needs of each individual child through informal observations and discussions with parents. Children's confidence and self-esteem is promoted by the childminder who acts as an effective role model and gets down to their level offering praise and encouragement. Children build a positive relationship with the childminder and her family and are relaxed and at ease.

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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 Children choose from a well organised environment where they access resources appropriate to their age and stage of development and the childminder ensures they can access with ease. For example, two one-year-olds were present during the inspection and a posting box was made available for one child to crawl to and another could select a bag to put on her buggy as she went shopping. Children have a broad range of physical activities which are available in the extensive garden and participate in regular walks and visits to local parks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children benefit from a positive relationship with the parents of the children in her care where communication on a daily basis both verbally and through individual communication books takes place. The childminder actively reflects and takes steps to improve her practice through parents completing feedback forms. The childminder has shared recent changes in regulation with parents and has a complaints procedure in place and has made available the address and telephone number of the regulator, together with the poster displayed.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's behaviour is managed as the childminder has appropriate strategies in place which are promoted through the written policy. Children are polite and kind and considerate to one another and this is promoted by the childminder who is an effective role model. Children's self-esteem and confidence is promoted through the childminder who offers appropriate praise and encouragement and is aware of their age and stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children develop their understanding of the community and the wider world through visits, toys and resources which reflect other cultures, religions and festivals.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder is in breach of regulations as all adults over the age of 16 years old have not completed appropriate checks of suitability for Ofsted.

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Organisation

The majority of documentation is in place, although the accident record is insufficient. The childminder promotes consistency as she shares clear policies and procedures with parents. Although, these are not all up to date with inaccurate information with regard to the Local Safeguarding Children's Board.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was set actions to: ensure that all persons aged over 16 years, who are regularly present in the household undergo the necessary checks including a criminal records check; obtain a copy of the National Standards for childminding and the guidance to the standards and ensure that all requirements are met; and ensure that records, policies and procedures which are required for the efficient management of the provision and to promote the care and welfare of children are maintained, and a recommendation was made to ensure that children can access a sufficient range of toys and play materials. All adults over the age of 16 years have still not undergone necessary checks including criminal record checks and this has become an action once again at this inspection. The childminder has a copy of the National Standards and the recent addendum. Policies and procedures are in place and are

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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 shared with the parents, although the child protection policy requires updating. An extensive range of toys and resources is available suitable for each age and stage and development.

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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. 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: • ensure that all persons aged over 16 years, who are regularly present in the household undergo the necessary checks including a criminal records check • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures, ensure that policies and procedures comply with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and that relevant contact details are available • ensure that sufficient detail and confidentiality is maintained in the accident record. 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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