Childminder in Newham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

959009 Unique Reference Number 04 January 2008 Inspection date Mary Holt 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 1992. She lives with her partner and adult son in a four bedroom house situated in a residential area of the London borough of Newham. The home is within easy access of public transport, local schools, shops, parks and community resources.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Although the whole of the property is registered, childminding mainly takes place on the ground floor. A fully enclosed garden is also available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children aged under eight years, she is currently caring for three children aged four years to one and a half years old, two children are cared for full time, and one on a part-time basis.

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 inadequate. Children are cared for in a clean, welcoming childminding home. Their good health is promoted well. Nappy changing arrangements are hygienic. Children learn about the importance of personal hygiene through daily routines, such as hand washing before meals, they are supplied with paper hand towels to ensure the risk of cross infection is minimised. First aid arrangements are not in place as required. The childminder has not completed a relevant paediatric first aid training course to ensure her knowledge of first aid procedures is current and she can deal with accidents appropriately.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Regular trips to the park & local toddler group provides children with the opportunity to exercise and get lots of fresh air. Suitable facilities are in place to allow children to rest or sleep comfortably and quietly when they are tired. The childminder follows young children's sleeping routines established at home, to ensure continuity of care.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are provided with healthy, well balanced menus that include fresh ingredients rather than convenience foods. The childminder has a good understanding of the nutritional needs of young children and ensures meals are presented attractively to make them appealing. Snacks of fruit are cut into small bite sized pieces to encourage younger children to eat independently. Children have access to drinks of water and fruit juice throughout the day.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The childminder's home is organised well to meet the needs of young children. Children have ample space to play, a quiet place to rest and a comfortable area to enjoy their meals. They move safely and confidently around the childminder's home. The childminder's daily checks of her home ensures children are protected from harm. Necessary precautions are taken to prevent accidents, for example appropriate safety equipment is provided to safeguard children, including a fire guard, socket covers, stair gates, smoke alarms at each level of the house and a fire blanket in the kitchen.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are kept safe on outings, toddlers are secured appropriately in the buggy. The childminder has a basic understanding of her local authority child protection procedures . She understands the signs and symptoms of abuse and knows what to do and who to contact if she has concerns about a child's welfare. However, not all adults in the childminder's home have been vetted appropriately to ensure they are suitable to have access to children.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled gradually into the childminder's care to allow them get to know her and her family before the placement commences. This and the childminder's warm, calm and gentle manner helps children build trusting relationships with her and feel secure.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit as they have free access to a wide range of interesting and challenging toys. Children approach the childminder readily for a story, they snuggle up and enjoy looking at the people and pictures in story books. The childminder encourages children's learning

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 effectively, she played a ball game with a selection of coloured balls asking the child present to find her a red, a blue, a white, or a green ball. The child was rewarded with verbal praise when they got it right with a 'well done', 'clever you', or a 'wow', 'nearly' or 'almost' when they picked the wrong colour. The childminder knows children well and is able to interpret and respond to their individual needs.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals, they are comfortable in the childminder's care and have appropriate opportunities to explore the wider world. Children have access to a good range of play resources designed to begin to promote their understanding of the wider world, including books, dolls and puzzles. They explore their local community as they visit the park and local shops. Young children attend a carer and toddler group regularly where they socialise and play with other children of similar ages. Children's behaviour is managed positively. The childminder praises children frequently to build their self-esteem and self confidence. The childminder uses distraction effectively to manage unwanted behaviour, for example as children get frustrated because they find something difficult to complete.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

At the beginning of the placement the childminder encourages parents to share useful information to help them decide if the care offered suits their child's individual needs. Financial and care arrangements are agreed and confirmed through the use of written contracts, to ensure continuity of care for children. The childminder makes parents welcome in her home and gives them verbal feedback about their child's progress each day, for example children's sleep times, nappy changes, menus and the activities and outings they have enjoyed.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has a limited knowledge of the National Standards and the accompanying guidance and is therefore not sufficiently familiar with the requirements within regulations. This has resulted in two breaches of regulations, a lack of understanding relating to her responsibilities to safeguard the children in her care by ensuring that all adults in the home have undertaken checks to ensure their suitability to be in contact with minded children, and her failure to up date and maintain her first aid training.

p.4

Organisation

Overall, evidence suggests that the childminder does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom she provides.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection visit two recommendations were made regarding appropriate first aid training, devising a parental agreement and to share relevant information with them.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has devised and maintained a good system to ensure that relevant information is recorded about children in her care and daily opportunities are made available to share information with parents.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

However, the childminder has failed to up date and maintain her first aid certificate as required.

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: • ensure that current first aid training is undertaken and the certificate is maintained • ensure that all adults living or working on the premises undertake CRBs and other references and checks required 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