Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY256348 Unique Reference Number 03 July 2008 Inspection date Linda Close 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 was registered in June 2003. She lives with her family in a three bed roomed flat, situated on a housing estate in Clapham. The local authority is Lambeth. Two of the childminder's children are adults and one attends primary school. The high street and Clapham Common are within walking distance. The living room and the childminder's bedroom are available for childminding. Local parks and Clapham Common are used for outside play. The childminder is aware of local parent and toddler groups and other resources for under fives. The childminder is registered to care for two children under eight years, one of whom may be under one year. She is currently caring for one child who is five years old and attends primary school full-time.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children's health is appropriately safeguarded because the childminder has updated her first aid training to enable her to provide suitable care if children have an accident. Children are protected from the unnecessary spread of infection because the childminder agrees with parents

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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 at the time of registration that children must not attend if they are unwell. Children learn good personal hygiene routines when they discuss hand washing before meals and after using the toilet. A wet wipe is used or children have a towel each for their own personal use which helps to prevent cross infection.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder has a good understanding of healthy eating for children. She ensures that they have a good selection of fresh fruit each day and they eat it with pleasure. Children have fresh vegetables in their diet and salt and sugar is kept to a minimum. Fresh drinking water is offered on a regular basis as well as fruit juices.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have healthy exercise every day as they walk to and from school. They attend a combined dance and martial arts class weekly and they have regular opportunities for outdoor play on bicycles and at the local park.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children and their parents are made to feel welcome in the childminder's home because of her warm, friendly manner. Children are cared for in a homely, secure environment where they have sufficient space for play and rest. They have easy access to a good selection of toys and resources which meet the needs of the age range attending. They can relax and enjoy reading on the settee and they have a low table and chairs for meals and activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder teaches children how to cross roads safely on their daily walks. She has taken many appropriate steps to keep children safe in her home. She has installed safety gates in the doorway to the kitchen so that children cannot have access. A fire blanket, extinguisher and smoke alarm have been fitted to contribute to children's safety in the event of a fire. An evacuation plan has been devised and children practise it with the childminder on a regular basis. Cosmetics and cleaning materials are stored out of children's reach and electric socket covers are in place. However, the bathroom door has a catch which cannot be opened from the outside and there is a risk that children could get locked in.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are safeguarded in some respects in relation to child protection issues because the childminder is aware of signs or symptoms of ill-treatment. She has attended relevant training in recent months. However, the childminder has failed to initiate suitability checks on all household members which does not fully support children's safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are very well known to the childminder who has cared for them since they were babies. She ensures that the time they spend with her after school is spent on worthwhile activities that support their play and learning needs. Children are encouraged to do their homework at the childminder's home. They share reading books and story books with the childminder and they are making good progress. They are supported very well in writing their book reviews. Children also have good opportunities to engage in recreational activities which include bead making which is a firm favourite. Children can enjoy dressing up and imaginative play in the childminders home. They can choose to play with construction toys and puzzles. They can spend some time playing appropriate computer games. Children enjoy selected television programmes but the television is sensibly switched off at other times to aid children's

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

concentration on other activities. The children are learning good manners from the childminder

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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 who is a very good role model. They are reminded to say please and thank you and they are polite to visitors. Children get along well together and the childminder helps them to understand that they must respect each other and be considerate of the needs and feelings of others.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children's individual needs are well known to the childminder and she ensures that their needs are met. Parents and carers share their knowledge of the children's health needs and any allergies or dietary requirements at the time of registration. The childminder makes sure that she is kept up to date about children's needs through ongoing discussions with parents. Activities, books, photographs and toys are chosen to reflect the range of people in our society. However, the resources do not include any which reflect people with disability. The childminder has no experience of caring for a child with learning difficulties. She is interested in attending a course in Makaton signing and is happy to care for children of all abilities. She is observant and takes note of children's development and progress. She ensures that the children's activities match their stage of development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children respond well to firm, clear guidance from the childminder who explains what she expects from the children in terms that they understand. She praises children to help them feel good about themselves and her strategies are successful. The childminder has established good relationships with parents. She is businesslike and has compiled a file of her policies and procedures to share with parents which gives them clear information about her childminding service. Parents receive good news text messages from time to time and a brief written report once a year about their child's progress.

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Organisation

The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides because she has failed to provide Ofsted with the details of all adults over the age of 16 years living in her home to enable suitability checks to be carried out. Until earlier this year the childminder's attendance records were maintained in hardcopy with times of arrival and departure but recent records are stored electronically and they are not currently available for inspection due to compatibility issues with a new computer. All other required records are in place according to regulation. The childminder makes sure that she provides a child friendly home environment for the children. She does her housework when children are not present and she arranges resources so that the children can see them and make choices.

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Organisation

The childminder knows that she must work within the constraints of her registration. She has updated her first aid training and has attended a useful course in child protection. She plans to attend a course about new developments in childcare in the near future.

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Improvements since the last inspection

There were three recommendations for improvement made at the time of the last inspection. The childminder agreed to make sure that cleaning materials and toiletries are stored out of children's reach. They are now on a high window ledge and a safety gate in the doorway to the kitchen prevents children from accessing the kitchen. This contributes to keeping the children safe. The childminder agreed to maintain good standards of hygiene in one area of the kitchen.

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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 A new cooker is now in use which is kept clean. The childminder was asked to complete appropriate forms to enable Ofsted to carry out suitability checks for all persons over 16 years of age who visit regularly or live in her home. These checks have not been carried out which is a breach of regulations.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made by parents that required either the childminder or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The childminder is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents that 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 all adults over the age of 16 years have appropriate suitability checks 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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