Brown, Loraine

Inspection report for early years provision

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955151 Unique Reference Number 29 February 2008 Inspection date Catherine Louise Sample 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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1989. She lives with her husband in Tilehurst. The whole ground floor is used for childminding, with sleeping and toilet facilities on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog and a guinea pig.

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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. There are currently five children under eight years, and one child over eight, on roll.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children's hygiene needs are met. The childminder checks the garden for dog mess before children are allowed out to play and the dog is treated for fleas and worms. Children are encouraged to wash their hands after using the toilet and they have separate flannels to prevent cross infection. However, children were not observed to wash their hands before eating. The

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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 hygiene needs of younger children are not fully met, since the childminder changes their dirty nappies on her lap, with no mat or towel underneath them, and she does not use disposable gloves.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have appropriate food and drink. Packed lunches are provided by the parents. The childminder offers them advice about suitable lunches and asks them to include a ice block to keep food fresh. She occasionally provides snacks of crackers and tops up children's drinks as necessary with water or squash. She encourages children to eat their sandwiches before they eat any treats. She does not plan any activities to help children learn about healthy eating.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are adequately protected from illness and infection. The childminder does not care for children with infectious illnesses unless the other children have already had them. She assesses each child's illness individually rather than having hard and fast rules about what illnesses she will and won't care for. She has an up-to-date first aid qualification. Children are helped to keep fit through regular exercise as they walk the dog and walk to and from school.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are learning how to stay safe. The childminder frequently reminds them about their own safety and that of the other children. For example, she tells a child that they could have fallen and hurt their head if they had climbed up to get a toy.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children can generally move about the setting safely. A stair gate denies access to the stairs and all cleaning materials are kept out of children's reach. The front door is kept locked and chained and first floor windows have locks. There are smoke detectors on both floors. However, children's safety is put at risk by a number of electrical sockets that are not covered and by medicines being left out in the bathroom.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's safety outside is ensured through appropriate measures. They cannot access the bottom of the garden, where there is a greenhouse, and there are no poisonous plants or standing water. On outings, the children discuss road safety and younger children either use reins or hold the childminder's hand or the buggy. The childminder carries emergency contact details and a mobile phone with her at all times.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected because the childminder has an appropriate understanding of child protection issues. She is aware of some of the possible indicators of abuse, such as withdrawn behaviour. She has a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board's procedures to refer to if she is concerned about a child in her care. She records children's existing injuries on arrival.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are confident. They chat to adults about the tent they are playing in and talk about what they can do. They are developing independent skills as they try to take off their own socks and are encouraged to try doing activities by themselves. They are happy and settled in the childminder's care and their self esteem is fostered through praise. For example, the childminder tells the children how well they have tidied up. Children benefit from warm interaction with the childminder, who cuddles toddlers and blows raspberries on their feet.

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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 Children have appropriate opportunities to make choices. They have free choice from a suitable range of toys that includes dressing up clothes, role play equipment and dinosaurs. They also have toys for outdoor play, including balls, buggies and a sandpit. Toys are stored in transparent containers to help children identify what they want to play with, although they need adult help to access some of these.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from an appropriate range of activities. The childminder offers free play as well as regular outings. For example, she takes children to a local soft play centre and bouncy castle once a week. Children enjoy playing in a tent and laying out the train track. They are learning through play, for example, when the childminder asks children to identify how many eggs they are holding.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are generally well behaved. They apologise if they hurt another child by accident, and tell the childminder if other children misbehave. The childminder tells children how she expects them to behave, for example, she reminds them not to talk with their mouths full. She generally uses time out to manage children's behaviour and shares any concerns about their behaviour with the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are learning about wider society. The childminder discusses any related issues with them if they ask questions, but she does not plan any activities to help them learn about diversity. She has a limited selection of resources that reflect positive images of culture, gender or disability. The childminder does not have experience of caring for a child with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. However, she understands the importance of working closely with the parents and any other agencies involved in their care.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from a generally effective working relationship between the parents and the childminder. The childminder shares information about the children through discussion with the parents. She has also previously kept a written record for a baby. She records any relevant information on the child record form and has sought parental consent for outings. However, she does not have parental consent to seek emergency medical advice and/or treatment.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children benefit from a generally well organised environment. They have plenty of play space in the conservatory and sitting room, which allows them to play freely. Toys are stored in transparent boxes which allows children to identify the contents. However, some boxes are stored behind furniture which makes it hard for children to access them without help.

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Organisation

Children benefit from the childminder's appropriate training. She has a current first aid qualification and has attended training in child protection and the Birth to three matters framework. She has also attended an introductory workshop on the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum.

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Organisation

Children's welfare is enhanced because the childminder keeps most of the necessary records. The childminder uses contracts and child record forms and is aware of the need to record any complaints made by parents. She has sheets to record accidents and medication but these are rarely used. Parents generally administer medication before children arrive. The childminder

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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 does not complete accident forms for what she considers minor injuries. She records children's attendance in a diary and then transfers this information to a register. The diary does not, however, show the exact times of children's arrival and departure and does not give an accurate picture of who is present at any given time. The childminder does not have written consent from parents to seek emergency medical treatment and/or advice. This could lead to delays in a child's treatment in an emergency situation.

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Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to: store all documentation securely; ensure that written consent and emergency contact details were available for all children for outings; improve fire safety precautions on the ground floor; obtain contact numbers for the child protection agencies; and obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency medical advice and/or treatment.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder stores all old paperwork safely in the loft. Current records are stored in a cupboard to ensure confidentiality. She has written parental consent for outings and carries emergency contact details with her at all times. These measures enhance children's welfare. The childminder has smoke detectors on both floors and a fire blanket is kept in the kitchen. She has a copy of the child protection procedures for the area and has attended child protection training. These measures enhance children's safety. However, the childminder has not obtained written parental consent to seek emergency medical advice and/or treatment. This could lead to delays in a child's treatment in an emergency situation. This recommendation remains outstanding.

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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 satisfactory. The registered person meets 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 further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure that the hygiene needs of younger children are met through appropriate nappy changing procedures and that all children follow thorough hand cleaning procedures

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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 • ensure that children's attendance is recorded on their arrival and departure, that parents given written consent for the childminder to seek emergency medical treatment and that accidents are always recorded • ensure that all electrical sockets and medication are inaccessible to children • provide activities and resources that help children learn about diversity

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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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