St John's Voluntary Aided Church of England Primary School, Lemsford

Inspection report for early years provision

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117435 Unique Reference Number 29 February 2008 Inspection date Linda Dawe 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 1987. She lives with her husband, her father and her son in Plymouth, Devon. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and although there is no access to an outdoor garden, children are taken regularly to local parks. The childminder is able to offer out of school care to children attending local schools. She is registered to care for up to six children under the age of eight and is currently caring for three children under the age of eight.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children's health benefits from the regular access they get to fresh air and exercise as they are taken out daily for walks and to visit local parks where they develop their physical skills as they run and climb.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are protected from the risk of cross infection as they wash their hands regularly after using the toilet or before eating. They are offered regular drinks to keep them hydrated and

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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 snack lunches are provided in line with parents' requests. Babies' bottles are heated in the microwave and tested thoroughly before consumption to make sure they are of a safe temperature.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's first aid certificate has lapsed meaning that she is unaware of current techniques used, putting children's safety at risk in the event of an emergency. Also the childminder's paperwork with regards to medication recording is insufficient and does not meet legal requirements.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children have sufficient space to play safely within the childminder's home. There is a wide selection of toys and games that they can freely access. Adequate fire protection precautions are taken to make sure that children can be evacuated quickly and safely in the event of an emergency, although the fire drill has not been practised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Whilst walking with the childminder young children are kept safe as they wear reins or are strapped into buggies. They learn about road safety as the childminder talks to them about how to cross the road safely and be aware of traffic.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of her responsibility to safeguard children but does not have the current government guidance on procedures to follow. She has also failed to inform Ofsted of changes to the members of her household to enable the appropriate checks to be carried out to ensure that they are suitable to be in contact with children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and content in this childminder's care. She works closely with another childminder and together they take children out to various local parks. Children interact well with the childminder and her family, developing their social skills.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

In the childminder's home children enjoy colouring and completing puzzles, constantly chattering with the childminder who teaches them about colour, numbers and shapes as they play together. Younger children are helped to develop their physical skills as they learn to walk around the childminder's furniture and post shapes into posting boxes under her supervision.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children respond very well to this childminder as she gives them lots of praise, which boosts their positive self-esteem. They learn social skills as she teaches them about right and wrong and the need to share toys together. Children have the opportunity to socialise with others as they play together. Their specific needs are met as a result of the close relationship that the childminder builds with their parents, who, as a result, share information about their children verbally with the childminder.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the close relationship that the childminder has with their parents. However, she has limited written detail in the form of contracts, medication records and consent forms to meet the requirements of the National Standards.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder's documentation is insufficient to meet legal requirements. She has failed to inform Ofsted of changes to person's living in the household to enable appropriate checks to be carried out. Insufficient detail is kept on children, for example, the childminder does not have the date of birth and home address of every child cared for. This is a legal requirement as is displaying the registration certificate, which the childminder has failed to do. She has also failed to update her first aid certificate. This puts children at risk. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Organisation

Children play in a homely environment with a satisfactory range of resources and sufficient space. The childminder organises her time to make sure that they are well supported in their play.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At her last inspection the childminder was given several recommendations. She was asked to develop learning activities and play opportunities for children's overall development. Children undertake a satisfactory range of activities. She was also asked to make sure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. The childminder has a basic range of books that show positive images of children from different cultures.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was asked to make sure that records are kept on all minded children. This remains an area that needs addressing. She was also asked to provide a first aid box the contents of which are checked frequently and replaced as necessary. This she has done.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The improvements made have had some positive impact on children's care but there are still areas that need to be 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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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:

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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 • inform Ofsted of any persons over 16 living in the household to enable checks to be undertaken to make sure that they are suitable to be in contact with children • ensure a current first aid certificate is maintained • ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times; in particular the register, medication and accident records and details of all children cared for • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of relevant matters such as changes to persons living in the household • make sure that the certificate of registration is displayed These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date

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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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