Carofalo Sonia Elena

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 219642 Inspection date 07 February 2006 Inspector Gyatri Rupal

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 in 1998. She lives with husband and 3 children aged 9 months, 2 and 8 years in Bedford, Bedfordshire. The whole ground floor and a bedroom situated on the first floor of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder uses her car to take and collect children from school.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently

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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 minding one child before and after school. The childminder takes children to the local park.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy an appropriate range of physical activities which contribute to their good health. For example, they ride bikes in the garden and go for walks to the local park regularly. Children are beginning to learn the importance of simple good hygiene through their daily routines. They wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating their meals. Children benefit from a healthy diet as the childminder provides nutritious home cooked meals and snacks. Younger children are offered drinks throughout the day while older children help themselves. Children are beginning to learn about healthy diets as the childminder encourages children to plan their healthy menu and takes them shopping to buy healthy food. Children are protected from infection due to the appropriate procedures the childminder has in place. She uses anti-bacterial spray, and notifies parents of any

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Helping children to be healthy

illness within the family or minded children. Children’s well-being is generally protected as the childminder makes sure that most of the required documentation is in place, to promote the children's health. For example, she has a valid first aid certificate so that she can give children first aid when required. However, she does not have a system in place to record which medicines are administered to children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are protected as the childminder has most of the required procedures and documents in place to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded. She has a clear understanding of the local area child protection procedures and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary. Children are beginning to understand how to keep themselves safe as the childminder explains the dangers in and outside the house. She also ensures older children understand what action to take if there is an emergency . Children independently select activities from boxes of toys. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children’s choice of toys to make sure they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development. She takes a sensitive approach to ensure that the environment is safe for children such as electric covers being in place and safe storage of toys. However, children can access an electric heater

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

which is kept in the conservatory and compromises their safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are well settled and happy at the childminder's house. They arrive confidently and make themselves at home. Children feel secure as the childminder has formed good relationships with them. The children’s social and language development is enhanced through appropriate interaction with the childminder and with her children. Children share games and activities together and help each other out. The children’s independence is developed as they take part in child-led activities, using their own imagination and skills. Children’s mathematical skills are developed through their daily routine. For example, younger children are encouraged to count steps when going upstairs and older children count steps when they walk from home to the lamppost. Older children are encouraged to complete mathematics and English activity books which help them to develop their mathematical and language skills. The childminder supports the

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

children and provides a range of activities and experiences for them. The activities are varied and appropriate for the children’s development. Children enjoy creative activities as they have access to a variety of art and craft materials including dressing- up clothes and musical equipment. The childminder interacts appropriately with children at their level and helps to extend their play.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder is aware that some children may have special needs and is proactive in ensuring that appropriate action can be taken when such a child is identified. Children's needs are well met as the childminder follows their normal daily routine, as discussed beforehand with their parents. Children make themselves at home, confidently deciding what to do. They show care and concern for each other, and play well together. They behave very well as they fully understand clear boundaries of their acceptable behaviour. Their good behaviour is rewarded by their favourite activities and having special treats. They learn about the local community and the wider world through play resources and visits to local places of interest. Children benefit from a positive partnership between the childminder and the parents. Information with the parents is shared verbally on a

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Helping children make a positive contribution

daily basis. This helps children to establish a trusting relationship with the childminder.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The children are broadly content and settled with the childminder as the childminder works closely with the parents. The childminder organises appropriate play resources

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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 and activities for children to keep them busy. However, the childminder has an insufficient knowledge and understanding of the National Standards as a result of which she has failed to meet some of the requirements set out in the National Standards. For example, the childminder does not understand in what circumstances she should contact Ofsted. She does not have a system in place to keep records of medicine administered to children. She does not understand for how long she has to keep the required documents available for inspection. A valid public liability insurance certificate, or proof of it, is not available to inspect. All this compromises the children’s welfare. Overall, the children’s needs are not met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to complete three actions; to complete an appropriate first aid course, provide a fire blanket and to ensure that contents of the first aid box contain appropriate and adequate items to treat injuries. Since the last inspection the childminder has made improvements. She has implemented all her actions ; she completed a first aid course and has purchased a first aid box so that she can treat minor accidents to children. She has a fire blanket but it was not kept in the kitchen. This compromises children's safety.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection. The provider is required to keep a record of complaint made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint record may contain complaint 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: • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of relevant matters ;

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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 new addition to the family • ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times and records relating to individual children are retained for a reasonable period of time after the children have left the provision • make sure childminding registration certificate is displayed for parents information. 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

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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