Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

EY357507 Unique Reference Number 29 February 2008 Inspection date Joanna Scott 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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and one in Sunbury-on-Thames in Middlesex. Sometimes step-children aged eight, 11 and 13 come to stay. The whole ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with sleeping and toileting facilities available upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for one child at any one time, and is currently minding one child, who attends on a part-time basis. The childminder drives to a local nursery to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group, and takes children to parks. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The children play in a clean environment. The childminder has regular routines in place to ensure that her home is hygienically maintained. She uses anti-bacterial spray to clean work surfaces and the changing mat, and encourages children to wash their hands at key times. Children use kitchen roll to dry their hands. These measures help minimise cross infection.

p.2

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 The children have regular opportunities to be active. The childminder takes them to local parks, and the children play in the garden where they ride wheeled toys and bounce on a netted trampoline. This benefits their fitness and physical skills. Systems are in place to record medication permission and administration, and any accidents.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The children eat meals which are generally cooked from scratch and include fresh fruit and vegetables. Snacks are a mix of biscuits or fruit. The childminder talks to parents about children's food requirements and appetites. Children have access to their drinks at all times, generally squash, juice or water.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The children play where most risks are minimised. The childminder uses safety equipment, such as gates to block access to the hallway, stairs and garden, and matting under the outside play equipment to protect children should they fall. However, some further risk assessment is needed to ensure that a heater guard is correctly fitted and that fire safety requirements are fully met.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The children play with resources which are suitable for their age and stage of development. Some of them are stored at low level which enable children to make their own selection.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder mostly supervises the children well. However, she has, with the verbal agreement of the parents, left minded children with an adult who has not undergone a vetting procedure as required by Ofsted, to ensure suitability. This is a breach of regulations. The childminder is aware of the procedure to follow should she have a concern about child protection.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children are settled. They experience a range of activities in and out of the home. For instance, they make visits to the toddler group where they socialise with other children. At home the children enjoy playing with resources, such as Duplo, which they use to build, and puzzles.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The children and childminder enjoy warm relationships. The children greet their friends with a hug and kiss, and are excited to see each other. The childminder sits on the floor and plays with the children. The childminder provides some messy and creative opportunities such as using play dough, and painting.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder ensures that children have the opportunity to be active and to rest in line with their home routines. She plans her day to allow children to sleep at home in the comfort in their travel cot.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder finds out about children's individual needs through discussion with their parents. Together they complete contracts and child record forms, and this is an opportunity to identify any specific needs. The childminder has written some policies for parents. She feeds back verbally each day. The children have access to some resources which promote diversity, for instance some small world figures, and a few well illustrated books.

p.3

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 The children generally behave well. Any minor disputes are relevant to the children's age and stage of development. The childminder uses techniques such as distraction, and brief periods of 'time out' when needed. Children are encouraged to apologise to their friends if appropriate.

p.3

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The children are settled. The childminder organises her home to meet the needs of minded children. Individual care routines are taken into account, and the children experience activities in and out of the home. All regulatory records relating to the children are in place, and the attendance register is kept up to date.

p.4

Organisation

The childminder has left children in the care of an un-vetted adult, with the verbal agreement of parents. She has not notified Ofsted of this significant incident. These are breaches of requirements under the National Standards. As a result, the childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

p.4

Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration, 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. 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.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.4

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.4

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 adults providing care, looking after children or having unsupervised access to them are suitable to do so, by completing an appropriate vetting procedure which includes completing a CM2 for Ofsted, and a criminal records check • ensure that Ofsted are notified of any significant events These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

p.4

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 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.4

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