St Dominic's RC Junior School

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

128291 Unique Reference Number 04 March 2008 Inspection date Marilyn Peacock Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has been registered since February 2000. She lives with her husband and two children aged 18 years and nine years of age. They live in a second floor flat in a quiet residential area close to the local schools and within walking distance of the local shops and park. The lounge is used for childminding purposes.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is register to care for no more than four children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for three children under eight years on a part time basis.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

There where no children present at the time of the inspection.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

It is a non-smoking household. The family has no pets.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder demonstrates an adequate understanding of how children’s good health is promoted. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and a suitably stocked first aid box is available in the kitchen. Forms are in place to record any accidents which may occur. Parental consent has been given for the childminder to seek medical advice or treatment in an emergency situation helping to promote children’s continuing good health. The childminder described how she helps promote children’s understanding of personal hygiene, she stated that children all have individual hand towels and that they are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

From discussion the childminder demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of healthy eating. She does not regularly provide meals or snacks as children are in her care for a very short time each day. When required, children are given fruit or wholemeal bread sandwiches. The childminder stated that drinking water or fruit juice are available at all times when children are present.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder explained that children have opportunities to practise their physical skills when they regularly visit the local forest and playgrounds.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children have ample space to move around freely and safely. The childminder stated that she organises her time to enable her to be free to support children’s play, therefore she can ensure they are supervised at all times. The childminder described how she conducts a visual check of the premises each day before children arrive to make sure it is safe. However, these checks are not comprehensive enough as she has not identified the risk to children posed by bleach and cleaning materials being stored within easy reach of the children in the bathroom. The fire blanket is at the very back of the under sink cupboard compromising children’s safety should there be a fire in the kitchen. The childminder stated that she has not developed an emergency evacuation procedure or escape plan. As a result children’s safety is further compromised, as they have not been able to practise how they would evacuate the flat quickly and safely in an

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a very limited range of toys and resources. The toys and resources which are available are stored in a cupboard on the landing of the second floor flat. The childminder explained that she brings them in each day prior to the children arriving.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder demonstrates that she has an adequate understanding of child protection. She has recently attended in service training and is aware of the Local Safeguarding children procedures.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge of how individual children develop and learn. She stated that she knows

p.3

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 well and plans activities which interest them. For example, the youngest child that attends likes playing with soft toys and enjoys interactive toys. Children also enjoy colouring and drawing. The childminder demonstrates an adequate understanding of providing children with a range of varied experiences to help promote their skills and development. She explained that she tries to give the older children time to rest in front of the television after a long day at school.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder explained that she obtains all the information needed to promote children’s individual needs when they are being settled in to her care. Parents complete a children’s information sheet telling the childminder children’s likes and dislikes, and they identify children’s daily routines at home and inform the childminder of children’s cultural and religious background. The childminder explained that she does not routinely introduce activities and resources which promote children’s understanding of the wider world although children are fully included in her family's culture and celebrations. She acknowledged that she does not have any toys or resources which promote images of diversity, culture or ability as they where mistakenly thrown out with the rubbish.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is aware that some children may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities, and understands the importance of working in partnership with parents and other professionals to promote the welfare and development of individual children.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrated an adequate understanding of strategies to promote acceptable behaviour in line with developmental stages. She demonstrated a commitment to working in partnership with parents to ensure children’s behaviour is managed in a consistent manner.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder stated that she has a positive relationship with parents; she discusses children’s achievements most days. The childminder explained that all arrangements are confirmed in writing and that parents are informed of her policies and procedures verbally at the start of the arrangements. The childminder has devised a complaints sheet in readiness to record any complaints or concerns in regard to the National Standards but was unable to demonstrate her understanding of the requirement to inform parents of the contact details of the regulator or how they can expect a complaint relating to a National Standard to be dealt with and in what time-scale.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Overall, evidence suggests that the provision does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides. This is because the childminder is breaching regulations. The children's safety and welfare is compromised because the childminder does not organise the premises or her paperwork to effectively protect the children in her care.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder was unable to demonstrate through discussion a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the National Standards. Files and paperwork are disorganised, files are incomplete and records were not readily available for inspection, which is a breach of regulation as information required to safeguard children is not available. The childminder was unable to find her registration certificate which she is required to display at all times when minded children are present. She is not maintaining up to date attendance records, does not record accurate

p.4

Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 times of the children's arrival and departure, and has not recorded any attendance at all for two children. This is a breach of regulations and means that records are incomplete in case of an emergency or if historical information is required. The childminder stated that she was unaware of her duty to ensure that any person living in the household in which childminding is carried out has been suitably checked, this is also a breach of regulation and puts children at risk.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection the childminder had two actions which she had to complete within a given time span. These where to complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children and to obtain a fire blanket that conforms to BS EN standard and site in the kitchen. The childminder now holds a valid first aid certificate which includes paediatric first aid. Therefore the childminder is able to respond appropriately in an emergency. She has now obtained a fire blanket which is sited in the kitchen, however, it is not easily accessible in an emergency as it is in a cupboard.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder was recommended to develop and implement knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. The childminder has recently attended a child protection course and was able to demonstrate and adequate understanding of safeguarding children. She was also asked to implement a system to record incidents. This remains an issue to be addressed and an action has been introduced following this inspection. The childminder was requested to record information about children's details and individual needs and/or preferences for every child. Parents of the children that attend have completed information sheets for their child helping the childminder provide for their specific care and educational needs. The childminder stated that she now rotates a suitable range of toys and activities, in order to meet the developmental needs of younger children. All parents have now given their prior written consent

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder was also recommended to record the time of arrival and departure in the daily attendance register. This remains an issue to be addressed and an action has been placed on the registration.

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.5

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

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

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.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • devise an emergency escape plan and practise with the children regularly • assess the risks to children in relation to bleach and cleaning fluids stored in the bathroom and take action to minimise these • ensure all persons living in the household over the age of 16 years have undertaken all the required checks • maintain accurate daily records of the children's attendances, including their times of arrival and departure. • ensure that the Certificate of registration is displayed at all times when minded children are present. • ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times • provide a suitable range of equipment to meet the developmental needs of babies and younger children from one to under five years These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date

p.6

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

p.6

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

p.6