Belmont Special School

Inspection report for early years provision

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129516 Unique Reference Number 20 December 2007 Inspection date Gillian Charlesworth 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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in June 1998 and is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She lives with her husband and two children age 9 and 12 years old. They live in a two storey house in a suburb of Hemel Hempstead. The property is within walking distance of parks, shops and schools and overlooks a public green area which is used for outside play with parental permission. The childminder works with her mother and husband who assist occasionally but are not registered. Parental permission is obtained for children to be left in the sole charge of assistants. Children are transported in an assistant’s car which the childminder also has use of.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding where there are toilet facilities. Undisturbed sleeps are provided in bedrooms on the first floor that are otherwise not used. There is a secure garden. The family have two pet budgerigars.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time. There are no children currently on roll.

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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 No children on roll

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

When a provider does not have children on roll at the time of the inspection, inspection judgements are based on evidence gathered from discussions with the provider and an inspection of the premises, equipment and relevant documentation.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

As there are no children on roll, the quality of the provision cannot be judged better than satisfactory because there is no reliable evidence on which to assess its impact on children.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder has a sound understanding of suitable procedures to:

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Helping children to be healthy

* promote children’s good health, by ensuring that positive steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection and appropriate measures are put in place when children are ill (National Standard 7: Health)

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Helping children to be healthy

* ensure that food and drink for children is adequate, properly prepared, nutritious and complies with dietary and religious requirements. (National Standard 8: Food and drink).

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. * The premises are safe, secure and include the necessary facilities for children. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of how to ensure the environment is made welcoming to children. (National Standard 4: Physical environment)

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

* The furniture, equipment and toys are safe and appropriate for the needs of children. (National Standard 5: Equipment)

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

* The childminder understands how to promote children’s safety and take precautions to prevent accidents. (National Standard 6: Safety)

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

* The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection procedures approved by the Local Safeguarding Children Board, and is aware of their responsibility to protect the welfare of the child. (National Standard 13: Child Protection)

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. * The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge of how individual children, develop and learn. (National Standard 3: Care, learning and play)

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder:

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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 * has an appropriate knowledge and awareness of the importance of treating each child with equal respect and concern (National Standard 9: Equal opportunities)

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Helping children make a positive contribution

* is aware that some children may have learning difficulties or disabilities, and understands the importance of working in partnership with parents and with other professionals to promote the welfare and development of the child (National Standard 10: Special needs)

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Helping children make a positive contribution

* shows a willingness and commitment to working with parents to manage children’s behaviour in a consistent way which promotes the child’s welfare and development (National Standard 11: behaviour)

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Helping children make a positive contribution

* has a satisfactory understanding of the need to develop a strong partnership with parents, taking into account their differing needs. (National Standard 12: Working in partnership with parents and carers)

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. The childminder:

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Organisation

* is aware of the duty to ensure that other people living or working on the premises are suitable to be in contact with children (National Standard 1: Suitable person)

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Organisation

* understands the importance of working within the constraints of the condition of registration relating to number of children; and of organising space and resources to best meet the needs of the children (National Standard 2: Organisation)

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Organisation

* keeps well organised documentation but has gaps in knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations. Consequently, some records are not available for inspection therefore procedures potentially limit the safe management of children. (National Standard 14: Documentation)

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Improvements since the last inspection

The previous care inspection set two actions to ensure that a 12-hour Paediatric First Aid course be updated and Criminal Record Bureau Checks are completed for long-term visitors. There was one recommendation to review the parental contracts in relation to information and permissions.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has taken the necessary actions to comply with regulations and ensure appropriate procedures are in place when caring for children. She completed a first aid course on 09 October 2004 and updated this again on 05 December 2007 and is currently waiting for the certificate. Vetting has been completed on a relative who was a regular visitor to the household. Templates have been devised setting out parental permissions that would be sought in relation to photographs, and children playing on the communal green with the supervision of the childminder or her assistants.

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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 have procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and to keep a record of complaints and their outcome.

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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. At the time of the inspection there were no children on roll. Ofsted judges that the provider remains suitable to provide care.

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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): • improve knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to ensure that documents are always available for inspection.

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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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