Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY248023 Unique Reference Number 16 October 2007 Inspection date Samantha Hunt 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 partner and four children aged 15, six, three and one in Hayes, Middlesex. The ground floor is used for childminding, toilet and sleep facilities are on the first floor and there is a fully 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 three children at any one time and is currently minding one child under five on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/carer group. The family have one cat.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children become aware of their own health and hygiene through discussion and practice. For example they wash their hands before and after meal times and know they need to put their hands over their mouths when they cough. Children become aware of their individual needs and use the toilet independently. The childminder gives gentle reminders about personal

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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 hygiene, such as to flush the toilet after use, and ensures tissues are easily accessible for children to wipe their noses.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are nourished. The childminder ensures children have regular drinks and snacks throughout the day. Snacks offered include fresh fruit such as oranges and apples. Parents provide all meals for their children, this ensures children eat in accordance with their parents' wishes. The childminder takes effective steps to ensure children’s health is promoted, she wipes the table down before children sit down to eat and stores packed lunches appropriately in the fridge. Lunch is a social occasion where children sit together at the table and chat as they eat their sandwiches.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have regular access to fresh air and exercise. For example they walk to and from school daily and visit the park. They have access to toys and resources in the garden, such as ride on cars, play house, bats and balls, which help to develop their physical skills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children have access to a satisfactory selection of toys and resources which are age and developmentally appropriate. Many toys are stored within easy reach to allow them to begin to make choices about what they want to play with.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has very limited knowledge and understanding of child protection and is unclear about her local authority Safeguarding Children Procedures. She does not have easy access to contact numbers for her local authority and does not hold a copy of the 'What To Do If You’re Worried A Child Is Being Abused' booklet. This therefore does not safeguard children’s welfare and safety in the setting.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder carries out daily informal safety checks of her home. Stair gates across the kitchen and hallway ensure that children do not access areas such as the front door without the childminder. However she does not have a fire blanket fitted in the kitchen and items in the bathroom, such as mouth wash, are easily accessible to children and therefore compromise their safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children interact well with the other children and adults. For example, they engage happily in conversation with the childminder, her children and visitors. They have regular opportunities to mix with others both at the setting, meeting up with other childminders and on outings to local parent/toddler groups.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder interacts effectively with the children. For example they all sit on the floor together and build animals with the bricks. The childminder using good questioning, such as “who has built the biggest”, “what colour bricks have you used" and “what is your favourite dinosaur?” to help the children to learn and develop new skills. The childminder verbally praises children’s efforts, which helps to build their self esteem. Children have opportunities to take part in arts and crafts and enjoy stories with the childminder.

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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 inadequate. The childminder holds limited information on the children in her care. She has a written contract with the parents, and seeks written consent to take children out on outings. There is no written information collated with parents on children’s individual needs or details such as health and G.P. information. The childminder shares information about her practice with parents verbally. However she does not share information with parents on how to make a complaint and is unsure of the procedures to follow in line with regulation. This is therefore a breach of her conditions of registration.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children behave well. For example, they share books well with one another and chat happily as they play with bricks on the floor. The childminder sets clear consistent boundaries which are age appropriate and help the children learn right from wrong. Children receive positive verbal praise and encouragement from the childminder who clearly likes spending time with them. They begin to build up an understanding of the wider world through visits into the community, and toys and resources within the setting, such as books.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Organisation of documentation is poor. The childminder has very little documentation easily to hand and holds limited information on the children she cares for. This compromises children's health, safety and wellbeing. She has failed to inform the regulator of changes to her household and does not display her certificate of registration. This is a breach of regulations. However records relating to the days and times children attend are effectively maintained by the childminder, with parents signing to confirm the entry at the end of every week.

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Organisation

The children are settled in the care of the childminder. They readily chat with her as they eat their lunch and decide what they would like to do next. The childminder describes effective procedures to ensure children are not left alone with people who are not vetted. 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

Following her last inspection the provider was asked to notify Ofsted of any changes to her circumstances which could affect registration. However the provider has failed to inform Ofsted of the birth of her fourth child. This is a breach of regulation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

In addition the provider was asked to ensure potential hazards are inaccessible to children and that fire safety procedures are effective. Although the childminder carries out a daily check of her home there are still some items, such as toiletries, that pose a hazard to children. The childminder is clear about how she would evacuate the premises in an emergency, exits are clear and smoke alarms fitted on both levels. However there is currently no fire blanket fitted in the kitchen.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 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 parents are aware of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint • update knowledge and understanding of child protection, and obtain Local Authority Safeguarding Children procedures and What To Do If You're Worried A Child Is Being Abused booklet • Ensure the certificate of registration is displayed effectively for parents to see during the hours of childminding • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of relevant matters including any changes to household members. 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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