Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY280547 Unique Reference Number 23 November 2007 Inspection date Timothy Butcher 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 and also approved as a home childcarer in 2004. She lives in Worle, Weston-Super-Mare, North Somerset. The whole of the ground floor and the upstairs bathroom of the property are used for childminding. 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 six children at any one time. She is currently minding five children under eight of whom two are under three years and all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also looks after children who are over eight years. The childminder has use of a vehicle to take and collect children from school. She takes children to the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's health is satisfactorily promoted because the childminder has adequate procedures and practices in place to meet their individual physical, nutritional and health needs. Children

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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 benefit from appropriate physical care. Young children are kept comfortable. The childminder describes a nappy changing procedure that protects children from the spread of infection and includes the use of individual changing mats. Children learn to follow appropriate hand-washing routines, for example, prior to snack time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has robust procedures in place to record accidents. Although she keeps suitable records of medication given to children and information is shared with parents as routine, the childminder does not follow good practice as there is no written acknowledgement that information has been shared. Parental permission for emergency medical treatment is sought and recorded for most children. Information for parents and carers about the day-to-day care of babies and young children is verbally shared, such as sleeps, food intake, nappy changes and children's general well-being. The childminder also provides a daily diary for some babies.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder effectively consults with parents to ensure dietary needs are identified. Children are well supported as they begin to understand the benefits of a healthy diet. The childminder encourages children to eat healthily through the meals that she provides. She discusses healthy options such as 'Five-a-day' and broadens children's tastes with foods new to them.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that children have regular opportunities to be active and to have fresh air. They regularly visit the park and go on nearby walks with her.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a safe and homely environment. They are protected from potential hazards because the childminder has carried out a thorough risk assessment of the premises and has the majority of control measures in place to minimise risks to children. Stair-gates are in place to prevent younger children from straying into areas unsupervised and cupboard locks prevent them from touching sharp kitchen objects or household chemicals. The childminder is mindful of children's safety at all times for example, the premises are secure and visitors have their identity checked.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Space is used constructively to provide children with suitable areas in which to play. The garden is well equipped with a sound range of equipment particularly for younger children that includes such things as, bikes and a small trampoline. There are such things as footballs and a skateboard for older children's use. The lounge provides ample floor space for children to play in comfort and soft furnishings for them to rest if they so choose. The dining room provides table-top space for more structured activities, such as messy play and for children to sit comfortably at meal times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of child protection procedures even though she has not up-dated her knowledge recently. She has a clear understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of potential abuse. She understands her responsibilities in regard to the protection of children. As a result children have their welfare safeguarded.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children have positive experiences through play. The childminder has a clear understanding of child development. The childminder has a sound understanding of their needs and stimulates responses from them with warm interaction and with appropriate toys that further their

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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 development. Babies have their home routines followed. They receive lots of cuddles and physical contact to help them feel secure. They practise how to wriggle, stretch and crawl, as they are encouraged to reach for objects and to explore toys that provide a range of texture and sound. They are suitably stimulated with shape-sorters and stacking bricks. They snuggle-in to have a story read to them and are prompted to respond to facial expressions with giggles and smiles.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder describes suitable opportunities for pre-school children to be creative through the use of a range of materials such as play-dough, finger painting and cut and stick activities. They enjoy the access to the range of books on offer. Children who attend after school are provided with a suitable range of activities such as chess, football, baking and cut and stick activities. Children have access to the computer to gain simple skills and to use for reference when completing home work. The childminder describes using natural opportunities during play to encourage children to name colours and to count.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder does not plan specifically for children's next steps in development but keeps their general development in mind when thinking of the activities that she will provide.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children have a satisfactory range of toys and other resources that promote a positive view of the wider world and help develop their awareness of diversity. All children have equal access to all toys and activities. A few activities around the celebration of festival days, contribute to children's growing awareness of diversity. The childminder describes the use of discussion to support children's understanding of culture.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has yet to care for a minded child with additional needs or disabilities but has a suitable procedure in place to identify with parents how best to meet the care needs of all children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are suitably encouraged to get on well with each other and to share. Strategies for managing children's behaviour are discussed and agreed with parents during the induction process. The childminder describes providing positive attention to children and uses simple explanations and occasionally time out, to support and guide them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the sound partnership with parents. Parents are kept suitably informed about their child's day through discussion as time is set aside for this, usually at the point of collection. A diary is provided for some children. The provider does not have a complaints procedure. This is a breach in regulation.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has some of the required documentation in place to promote children's care and well-being, however, the record of attendance is not kept accurate and up-to-date. This is a breach of regulation. The childminder does not display her certificate of the conditions of registration and this is a breach of regulation. A system for the recording of complaints is not in place. This is a breach of regulation. The setting does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom it provides.

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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 The childminder has much of the other documentation in place that contributes to children's care and the smooth running of the provision. However, the childminder's organisation of other documentation has a number of weaknesses, for example, children's records are consistently completed for all children but a written agreement has not been agreed with all parents.

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Organisation

The childminder organises her time, resources and space suitably well to meet the individual needs of children. The childminder offers flexible settling in processes and the home routines of babies and young children are followed. Children experience a range of suitable play opportunities in a homely environment. They appear to be happy and settled with the childminder.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection it was agreed that improvements would be made to the system used for recording accidents and to the fire safety plan. It was also agreed that toy and play equipment would be increased to include resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. An action was made in regard to the provision of an appropriate system for the administration of medication.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the provider has reviewed the system for recording accidents and now has a secure procedure in place. The childminder has reviewed her processes in regard to medication given to children and now has a suitable procedure and record system in place. As a result children's health is further promoted and parents are kept more fully informed. The childminder has developed a written evacuation plan and now practises a fire drill with children. As a result children are better protected should an emergency occur. The childminder has increased her book, puzzle and other toy resources that reflect positive images of race, culture and disability. As a result children have some opportunity to learn about diversity through their everyday play.

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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 • make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint • keep an accurate and up-to-date record of attendance • ensure the certificate of registration is displayed at all times when childminding is taking place. 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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