Childminder in Oldham

Inspection report for early years provision

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504996 Unique Reference Number 30 April 2008 Inspection date (Kate) Kathryn, Jane Ryder 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 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 has been registered since 2000. She lives with her three children aged nine, 14 and 16 years in a house in the Failsworth area of Oldham. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom of the property are used for childminding. There is a garden available for outside play. The family have two cats.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and currently there are six children on roll, attending various days and hours.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in a clean and comfortable home. The childminder follows suitable procedures to promote children's health, such as cleaning floors daily and washing tables and work surfaces before use. Children's health is well protected from the family cats as feeding bowls and litter tray have been made inaccessible. In general, routines for nappy changing are suitable but current methods for cleaning the changing mat do not minimise the risk of cross

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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 infection. Children begin to learn about personal care needs, as the childminder draws their attention to when their noses need blowing. The childminder has a valid first aid certificate but a first aid box is not provided and this impacts on children's health and safety. There are systems in place to record accidents and the administration of medication, however, records are unclear and important information is missing, such as dates and details of dosage.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy regular opportunities for physical exercise, which promotes their individual growth and general well being. They enjoy rolling soft balls on the floor to the childminder and roll them through tunnels catching them as they come through the other side. Children benefit from walks in the local community as they drop children off at school and playgroup.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has appropriate knowledge about individual children's dietary needs. She provides adequately healthy snacks of fruit, yogurt and biscuits and children enjoy lunches, such as various sandwiches, pasta and soup. Children are able to keep themselves refreshed as they can access their own cup of water or diluted fruit cordial.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in an environment which has sufficient space to enable them to move and play safely. Their developmental needs are met through an adequate range of safe and developmentally appropriate resources and equipment. Toys are generally well organised at floor level in boxes, which helps children to be independent and make some choices in their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

In the main satisfactory procedures are followed which ensure children are kept safe. For example, kitchen cupboards are fitted with safety locks, electric sockets are covered and externals doors are kept locked. The childminder describes taking reasonable steps to protect children from leaving her rear garden unsupervised until a new gate has been fitted. Fire safety equipment is available, such as a fire blanket and smoke alarms on both levels of the house. However, children's safety is compromised as the ground floor smoke alarm is inoperable because it lacks batteries.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has developed an awareness of some signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect, and the referral procedure. She has an adequate understanding about her role and responsibilities and is able to protect and keep children safe. She has obtained appropriate local and current national guidance to refer to in the event of a concern arising.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children leave their carers with confidence, they quickly settle and engage in play activities. They enjoy warm relationships with the childminder, confidently indicating their individual needs which she responds well to. The childminder interacts appropriately with the children, she listens to them and plays with them on their level. She frequently provides praise, which helps to raise children's confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children have access to sufficient play activities that reflect their interests and are appropriate for their age and stage of development. They show interest and concentration in what they do and become involved in activities for long periods of time. For example, they play cooperatively with the dolls, as they pretend to feed and give them drinks. They hold a cup and a brick which

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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 they pretend is a biscuit to the dolls mouth and then take the dolls and teddy for a walk in the shopping trolley. They enjoy reading books and competently turn the pages, whilst the childminder holds their attention by asking them questions about the pictures. Children become excited as they roll a ball through a play tunnel and the childminder rolls it back for them to catch.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children benefit from regular activities outside of the home. For example, they enjoy weekly trips to a toddler group, where they benefit from the experience of socialising with their peer group.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder gathers information about children's individual needs, such as their personal dietary requirements. Children are treated with equal regard and they are encouraged to access available toys, including some resources which reflect positive images of race, culture and disability. There are few opportunities for activities which promote diversity, such as festival work that help children develop a greater awareness about cultures and similarities and differences in others. Children begin to learn about their local community through their daily walks in the locality, to school, playgroup and toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children's behaviour by using appropriate strategies. She uses methods which are appropriate for their age and stage of development. For example, she explains children's unwanted actions, such as bouncing on the furniture, making sure they understand the consequences. She encourages positive behaviour by verbally praising children, for example, telling them they are brilliant, clever and well done. This helps children develop confidence and self-esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder forms appropriate working relationships with parents. She communicates with them daily through informal conversations and occasional written information related to potty training. This informs parents about the care of their children. The childminder has developed a good knowledge about the complaints procedure and she has prepared a system for recording complaints if needed in the future.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Since her last inspection the childminder has updated her first aid certificate, enabling her to respond appropriately to any health and safety emergency situations. In the main she has taken positive steps to address the actions raised at her last inspection and as a consequence has improved her childcare practice. The childminder has failed to comply with the vetting procedure for all persons in the household over the age of 16 years. This is a breach of regulations.

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Organisation

The environment is suitably organised and allows children to confidently move within the home. The childminder keeps up to date records of children's attendance and daily registers show she remains within her ratios. In general, all required documentation is available and the childminder is aware of the minimum period to retain children's records. The registration certificate is openly displayed.

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Organisation

Overall, the provision does not meet the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the time of the last inspection 10 actions were raised in relation to health, safety, resources, suitable age related activities, partnership with parents, ratios and documentation. The childminder has updated her first aid certificate; made electric sockets and cables safe and made the cat litter tray inaccessible. She has provided smoke alarms at every level of the house although one is not maintained in working order and parental permission is obtained to give medication but the administration record is unclear. A wider range of suitable toys and equipment have been provided, including those that reflect diversity, to meet the developmental needs of children under eight. Children's ratios are managed effectively; she has developed knowledge of the complaints procedure; she retains children's records for a reasonable period of time and she openly displays her registration certificate.

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Improvements since the last inspection

In the main the childminder has taken appropriate steps to address all the actions and as a result she has improved her childcare practice.

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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 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: • ensure that any person over the age of 16 years living in the household undergo checks, including a criminal records check • ensure that the smoke alarms are maintained in working condition • provide a first aid box, making sure the contents are those determined in the first aid training course. 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

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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