Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY255202 Unique Reference Number 07 May 2008 Inspection date Gulnaz Hassan 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 April 2003. She lives with her husband and seven year old daughter in the London borough of Haringey. The whole of the ground floor, which consists of the open plan living room and kitchen and the downstairs toilet, is available for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. She is currently caring for two children under five years on a full time basis.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. The childminder does not take positive steps to promote children's health. For instance children are at risk of illnesses caused by bacteria developing in milk feeds which are left out, without teat covers and frequently offered to children throughout the morning on a very warm day. In

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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 addition children play outside in the hot sun without any form of sun protection, such as the use of sun cream or hats and clothes to protect their bare skins from burning. Children are not learning about personal hygiene practices, this is because children are not encouraged to access the bathroom, instead children are held up by the childminder to wash their hands at the kitchen sink.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder demonstrates a basic understanding of healthy eating. Children's needs are met adequately because parents provide children's meals. This means that children's dietary needs are met according to parental preferences and with children's likes and dislikes being ensured.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children's safety both inside the home and garden is not satisfactory. They are at risk because the childminder has not effectively carried out risk assessments to minimise hazards. This means, that children are exposed to accessible dangers, from access to stairs and the front door, to cupboards and drawers containing items, such as plastic bags and sharp knives. The outdoor play space is not adequately safe and secure to enable children to participate in activities safely. This is because garden chairs are highly stacked against a low garden wall, the garden gate is insecurely locked and the planting area overgrown with weeds and nettles. Children's safety is at further risk, as the childminder does not maintain the attendance register appropriately on a daily basis.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children do not have access to a sufficient or suitable range of play materials within the home. For instance, the books and puzzles available are suitable for much older children and resources that interest children, such as a tea sets, are limited. Some equipment, such as bedding, is inappropriate, for instance children sleep on woolly bedspreads rather than sheets and toddlers continue to eat meals seated in high chairs. Suitable washing and toileting facilities are available on the ground floor, however, children are not encouraged to access the hand basin in the bathroom. The childminder is aware of the importance of protecting children, for example, her knowledge of how to recognise different forms of abuse is adequate and the childminder is aware of the Local Safeguarding Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. The childminder demonstrates that she has an inadequate understanding of children's play, learning and development. Children are not provided with resources and activities that are appropriate to the ages and stages of their development. Children's attempts to engage are frequently interrupted by the childminder who offers alternative play opportunities that do not interest or engage children appropriately. When children are given opportunities to engage in creative experiences, such as paint, the experience is often didactic and interspersed with instruction and not sufficiently well organised. For instance, the use of protective clothing during a painting session is not considered. Children often engage in taking out resources from the toy box or emptying out activities which are then quickly abandoned or not played with appropriately. This means that children's play and learning is not fully supported and their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

learning opportunities are limited. Children's developing independence skills are not appropriately fostered, for instance, children are not encouraged to practise using soap and water independently.

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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 The childminder does not have a clear understanding of the Birth to three matters framework. For example, communication with children is frequently limited to being told to wait for her before taking out toys or to take out one thing at a time.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children do not have access to resources or activities that show positive images of gender, diversity or of the wider community. In addition the childminder's understanding of equal opportunities is poor, for instance, with regard to promoting children's knowledge and understanding of diversity. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice is poor and as a result not actively promoted, as a result, children are not being supported in learning to acknowledge and accept differences. The childminder demonstrates little understanding of children's own individual needs or backgrounds, for example, in relation to ethnicity, culture, religion or home language. The childminder is aware that some children may have special needs and has some knowledge and understanding of the appropriate action that should be taken when such a child is identified

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Helping children make a positive contribution

or admitted to the provision. The childminder uses simple age-appropriate strategies, such as reminders to children to share toys and aims to distract children by diverting their attention when they become bored or do not listen to instruction.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of the procedures to follow if any concerns are raised and parents are provided with contact details for Ofsted should they wish to make a complaint. Children benefit from positive relationships the childminder has developed with parents. She engages in informal daily discussions with parents, this ensures that children’s basic needs are met. However, there are no written records in place to support discussed agreements and expectations as to the care of the children, for instance, with regard to the use of sun protection precautions.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides care.

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Organisation

Although children are settled they do not always relate well to the childminder. The childminder has an inadequate knowledge and understanding of childcare issues. Children are at risk because the childminder lacks sufficient understanding of the National Standards. The attendance register is not always completed on a daily basis and hours of attendance are not recorded promptly. This is a breach of regulations. The childminder has not made sufficient progress in addressing actions identified at the previous inspection; this continues to impact children's health, safety and well-being.

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Organisation

Basic information about children, such as contact details, permission for emergency treatment and medication and accident details are available. The childminder is aware that records must be kept for a minimum of two years.

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Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made some improvements since the last inspection. For instance, she has fitted a fire blanket in the kitchen area; this has helped to improve fire safety in the premises. The childminder was also required to develop her understanding of the regulation regarding

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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 complaints. The childminder has developed her understanding of the complaints procedure and has made this available to parents, this helps to promote positive relationships with parents. The childminder was also asked to ensure that children had access to fresh drinking water at all times. Children's risk of becoming thirsty or dehydrated is now minimal because they have access to beakers of water within easy reach. The childminder was also required to obtain an appropriate first aid qualification. The childminder has completed an appropriate qualification in first aid ensuring children's safety and welfare in the event of an illness or accident.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection a number of actions were set. These were: to ensure the safety of children; to ensure that hygiene procedures and storage of food were appropriate in order to avoid the risks from cross infection and contamination; to provide and plan a range of suitable, age appropriate activities and to develop her knowledge and understanding of requirements and of the National Standards. There has been a lack of improvement in these areas and as a result they continue to have an impact on children's safety, care and learning.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require 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 all 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 children's attendance is promptly and appropriately recorded. • carry out regular risk assessments to ensure that all areas used by children are safe • develop knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities and anti discriminatory practice and ensure that relevant information is obtained about children's individual needs including, ethnicity, culture, religion and language spoken at home • provide a suitable range of equipment to meet the learning and developmental needs of children • plan and provide a suitable range of activities for children, which are appropriate for their stage of development and based on their individual needs • develop knowledge and understanding of children's play, learning and care • develop knowledge and understanding of food hygiene and storage 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 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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