Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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154152 Unique Reference Number 07 January 2008 Inspection date Valerie Button 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 satisfactory. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was first registered in 2001. She is registered to provide care for six children under eight years. At present she cares for nine children aged between nought and eight years old at various times.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and two daughters, one of whom is still of school-age. They live in a cottage, in the rural village of Coryton near Lewtrenchard. Only the ground floor is used for minded children, including the kitchen/diner, lounge, sitting room, playroom, and family bathroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden suitable for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The family has five dogs, two cats and a rabbit.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has attended the Devon Childminding Association's Foundation Course. She also holds a Diploma in Pre-school Practice and a current first aid qualification. Overnight care is not provided.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home. Their toys and equipment are clean and satisfactorily maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health is supported because the childminder has updated her first aid qualifications and maintains a satisfactory accident record. There is no medication record in existence. The childminder states that it has never been necessary to administer medication to children. She is very aware that written permission from parents is needed before she gives any medicine and that records would then need to be kept. Inconsistencies in the maintenance of documentation adversely affect this area of provision, for example, written parental permission for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice and treatment is in place for most, but not all, children attending. Similarly, written information about children's food preferences is not recorded for all children attending. These shortcomings adversely affect the quality of care for some children attending.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit from the good attention given to ensuring that they are adequately nourished, for example, children enjoy snacks of apple and orange; a cooked meal is provided if requested. Babies' bottles are safely warmed and babies are held comfortably whilst being bottle fed. The childminder has not yet registered with the local authority as a food provider.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a soundly organised home environment. Resources are mostly sufficient. They are organised so that children are able to make their own choices.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The situation of the property, alongside a running stream, and the use of the outside area for animals and the growing of vegetables, provides much to interest children, but also results in several hazards in the wider garden area, such as greenhouses. These must be passed by children before they reach the separate garden area which the childminder has sensibly designated for the children's play. This area is fenced and safe. It contains various equipment to enhance the children's play. Risk assessment is lacking to identify potential hazards and how these are addressed; for example, the 'Rayburn' stove is not inaccessible to children, though a coffee table has been placed in front of it to impede their access; the bathroom contains some areas of damp and mould; young children sometimes have access to the stairs, although upstairs is not used by them. The hazards present compromise the children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are satisfactorily protected. Child protection guidance is on file and the childminder is aware of her responsibilities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are content and clearly feel at home. They have established good relationships with the childminder and are confident and at ease in her company. The daily routine is structured, but flexible, for example, to support young children's needs for sleep. Children enjoy a 'homely day' spent indoors, outdoors and on local walks. Children receive good levels of adult attention,

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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 for example, the babies are cuddled to be fed and then, whilst they are sleeping, older children work with the childminder at table-top activities, such as drawing or play dough. The childminder ensures that food preparations are undertaken before the children arrive so that she is able to spend most of her time with them. Children's learning is supported, for example, when their attention is drawn to observing birds outside.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from the childminder's flexible approach in ensuring that children of varying ages receive appropriate care. Children's individual needs are met, although some children lack written information to remind and guide the childminder in meeting their preferences. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure a consistent approach to children's care, for example, respecting parent's wishes about sleep routines for their children. Children respond well to the childminder's experienced, calm approach to behaviour management, for example, when helping with tidying up. They receive good levels of praise and encouragement, for example, for successful toilet training.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. Day to day organisation of the childcare is sound, with children receiving good levels of attention from an experienced childminder. However, some records are not readily available for inspection. The current registration certificate is not on display in the home, meaning that parents have insecure information about the registration conditions. These are breaches in regulations. Inconsistencies in the maintenance of documentation needed to underpin the children's care and welfare adversely affect the quality of the care offered; for example, whilst comprehensive enrolment forms and contracts with parents have been established for some children attending, they are lacking for others. These shortcomings compromise the children's safety and wellbeing.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The quality of children's care has been improved by some measures taken following recommendations made at previous inspection. The attendance register is now soundly maintained and the calendar is also used to ensure ease of accurately recording the times of children's arrival and departure. The childminder has ensured that necessary guidance on child protection procedures is readily available to her.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Safety measures at the premises remain an ongoing issue. Inside the home measures have been taken to ensure that all escape routes are clear and to maintain smoke alarms in working order on both levels of the home. Emergency evacuation of the premises has been practised. However, the procedure lacks clarity in some areas, for example, on contacting parents in an emergency. Children's safety has been improved by measures taken. However, other issues remain 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

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 satisfactory. The registered person meets 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 further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • conduct a risk assessment of the premises to clearly identify potential hazards, such as the unguarded 'Rayburn' stove and stairs, and how the risks of these to children will be minimised • ensure that all documentation needed to underpin the children's care and welfare is in place and readily available for inspection at all times; ensure that the current registration certificate is displayed to provide clear information on the current registration conditions.

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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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