Hertford St Andrew CofE Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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117397 Unique Reference Number 15 April 2008 Inspection date Janet Butlin 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 1991. She lives with her husband and two children in a semi-detached house in Plympton, a residential suburb of Plymouth. The childminder's adult daughter occasionally acts as an assistant. The lounge and family room are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden to the rear of the property. She is registered to care for up to six children under the age of eight years, there are currently four children enrolled in this age range. The family has a variety of pets comprising two cats, four guinea pigs and two rabbits. The dwelling is in walking distance of schools, parks and pre-schools.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children play in a clean home. They do not always wash their hands before they have snacks, but those who go upstairs to use the lavatory have access to liquid soap and fresh towels, which affords them some protection from cross infection. The care of children who have an accident or become unwell whilst at the childminder's is compromised as systems for recording accidents and the administering of medication are not robust. Any records kept covering the past eight

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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 years are unavailable for inspection. The childminder keeps records of accidents and medication on individual pieces of paper which are now stored elsewhere in the house and cannot be produced. The childminder's ability to respond appropriately in the event of an emergency is also compromised as no consent has been obtained for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. The childminder's first aid certificate has run out, but she has booked to renew this.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have snacks of biscuits, cake and fruit. The childminder aims to ensure they have a generally balanced diet whilst in her care and encourages parents to pack healthy lunchboxes. Some children bring their lunch and this is refrigerated to ensure it remains fresh. Lunches prepared by the childminder comprise, for example, sandwiches, fruit and yoghurts. She has been proactive in contacting the environmental health department to record her existence as a provider.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop their muscles as they go on walks and outings to nearby places of interest. They visit the local parks and play ball games. They are protected from the harmful effects of the sun as they wear sun cream and hats.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children play in a welcoming environment where care has been taken to create clear, dedicated spaces for them to set up their games and activities. They access a range of toys and games easily and safely as they are stored in the playroom within their reach. Children are confident they can find their favourite toys, all of which are clean and in suitable condition.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from hazards as they are prevented from accessing areas of the house, such as the kitchen and the first floor. Older children take themselves to the toilet upstairs, and generally family bedrooms are inaccessible. The childminder has conducted a risk assessment on her home, ensuring that, for example, all low level glazing is safe. However, the risk assessment does not extend to the rear garden where there are some hazardous items. Children are protected in this area by close supervision. Children are protected by the fire safety equipment. The alarms are linked and working, but the fire blanket is not yet fixed to the wall as recommended by the fire officer.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are further protected by the childminder's sound understanding of the child protection procedures, however, current guidance is not accessible.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy playing at the childminder's and are constantly engaged in purposeful activity. They have their favourite toys and games and are confident to ask for them. They also involve the childminder's family in their play. The television is a background accompaniment to their games. The childminder has an awareness of the Birth to three matters framework and plans activities generally linked to children's individual stages of development, for example, encouraging the younger children to share. Their early attempts at communication are supported, for example, by involving them in storytelling sessions. As they become absorbed in their commentary they remove their dummies voluntarily in order to communicate more clearly. The childminder encourages this. Children establish imaginative play, for example using toy telephones and keyboard games and become competent learners as they work out how to

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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 connect the train track. Older children receive appropriate challenge as they attempt more complex games. Children's enjoyment is extended as they go on regular walks and outings, for example to the local library and nearby toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about the wider world in meaningful ways as they play with toys and look at books that depict positive images of cultural diversity. The childminder ascertains if children have any individual needs and is confident to share any concerns with parents. Children who have specific needs benefit from her willingness to support all children's individuality.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are very well behaved. They share their toys good naturedly and are always busy and positively engaged. They benefit from this constant attention and the childminder's application of consistent expectations.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are cared for in accordance with their parents' wishes, although not all consents are in place. The childminder communicates with parents through daily discussion. There are satisfactory systems in place to keep parents informed of regulatory procedures, for example the registration certificate is displayed.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children are cared for by a childminder who enjoys her work with children and who is very sensitive to their needs and feelings. She provides them with a range of enjoyable activities. Children demonstrate warm, comfortable relationships with the childminder and her family. However, insufficient awareness of the regulations and misunderstanding of procedures means that she has breached her conditions of registration by exceeding her registered numbers. She also has insufficient documentation in place to support health care and essential documentation is unavailable for inspection. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. The childminder has attended courses and has up to date guidance relating to changes to early years care.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, when the childminder had no children on roll, she was required to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. There are now sufficient resources to support children's understanding in this area. She was required to maintain a detailed daily register. The childminder records the hours of attendance in a diary showing the actual hours of attendance. This means there is a record of who is on the premises, for example in the event of an emergency. She was requested to improve fire safety precautions by ensuring that a fire blanket, which conforms to BS EN standards, is accessible in the kitchen. This is now accessible, but is not fixed in accordance with the fire officer's recommendations. Finally, she was required to ensure there is documentation in place to continue to maintain a written record, signed by

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Improvements since the last inspection

parents, of medicines given to children and of accidents. This documentation is inaccessible and remains an area for improvement to support children's health care.

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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

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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: • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure records of accidents and the administering of medication are accessible for inspection • ensure childminding is within registered numbers 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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