Childminder in Barking and Dagenham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

504385 Unique Reference Number 28 February 2008 Inspection date S Campbell 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 was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and two adult children in a residential area of Dagenham, Essex. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently caring for four children under eight before and after school and full-time. The childminder attends local community groups. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder supports children with learning difficulties. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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. Children learn about healthy hygiene practice through daily routines. They are, for example, encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times and the childminder ensures less able children are assisted. This minimises the spread of cross infection.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

There are adequate systems in place to record medication given to children and accidents. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate and the first aid box is adequately stocked. However, written parental consent has been not obtained to seek emergency medical advice or treatment which does not fully safeguard children should they sustain an injury.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The children regularly engage in outdoor physical activities to promote a healthy life style. They go on outings to the local park, Kids Kingdom and Go Wild.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder and parents provide children’s meals. The childminder encourages children to have healthy snacks during the day, such as fruit. The children receive fresh drinking water, fruit juice and squash throughout the day. This prevents dehydration and encourages children to think about their own personal needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The childminder has some knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures. However, children are not fully safeguarded from abuse because the childminder is not fully secure in her knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children are cared for in a reasonably secure environment. However, their safety is compromised because appropriate steps are not taken to ensure potentially dangerous objects sited in the bathroom are not accessible. During some routine outings children are transported in the car. The childminder ensures car and booster seats are used to further promote children’s safety. However, written parental consent for all children has not been obtained for outings and for transporting children in the car.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children have access to a sufficient range of resources. The toys on offer are age appropriate and in reasonable repair. The childminder provides a welcoming environment and as a result children are confident and comfortable in their surroundings.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are able to take part in some role play activities and they enjoy spending time playing with the cooker and washing machine. This enhances children’s imaginative skills. They attend a local play group on a regular basis, which enables them to interact with others. They are developing good relationships with the childminder and during the day they happily sit on her lap and whisper in her ear “I’m going to tell you a secret”.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder informally plans some children’s activities and they take part in a range of hands-on activities, such as making pizza and fairy cakes and planting spring bulbs. This ensures children’s play is varied and maintains their interest.

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 benefit from engaging in messy play activities, for example play dough and painting. The childminder spends time with children, aiding with homework tasks, day to day activities and games. This supports children’s play and learning.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder has not obtained and documented all relevant information about children’s individual needs and background which compromises their well-being in the event of an emergency. The childminder treats children as individuals and acknowledges differences and preferences. The children have access to a sufficient range of resources that reflect positive images, for example disability figures, books and dolls. This promotes children’s sense of belonging and understanding of the wider world.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The children play harmoniously together and they are well behaved. They are developing good social skills because the childminder uses gentle reminders to encourage children to say “please”. The childminder uses appropriate behaviour management strategies that are age appropriate, for example explanation. This encourages children to learn right from wrong.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder currently supports children with learning difficulties. She works in partnership with parents and professionals involved in children’s care to ensure their needs are satisfactorily met while at the setting. The childminder has developed positive relationships with parents and appropriate information is displayed for parents to see, such as her first aid certificate, certificate of registration and public liability insurance. However, the contractual agreements with parents are not used effectively to reflect individual children and not all required information is documented.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She has not maintained an accurate and up to date record of children’s attendance and relevant vetting procedures have not been carried out for all members of the household. This is a breach of regulation and does not safeguard children.

p.4

Organisation

Most documentation in relation to childminding activities is disorganised and not well maintained to ensure it is readily available for inspection.

p.4

Organisation

Since the last inspection the childminder has attended a speech and language course. This enables her to support children at the setting with additional needs. The adult-child ratio is maintained and overall children are well settled.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection two actions and three recommendations were made. The childminder has failed to ensure appropriate vetting procedures are carried out for household members; not all relevant written parental consent has been obtained for all children and some documentation in relation to childminding activities is not well maintained, complete and readily available for inspection. This compromises children’s well-being while at the setting. Children’s welfare is further compromised because the childminder is not fully secure in her understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse.

p.4

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

p.4

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

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • improve procedures to ensure appropriate vetting procedures are carried out for all household members • ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times • improve procedures to ensure positive steps are taken to promote the safety of children within the setting • obtain all relevant written parental consent • keep a record of all children’s individual needs and backgrounds • improve knowledge and understanding of child protection issues These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

p.5

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.5

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.5