Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY236434 Unique Reference Number 12 May 2008 Inspection date Jennifer Devine 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 2003. She lives with her adult child in Harlesden in the London borough of Brent. The living room on the ground floor is mainly used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding four children.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler groups. The family has a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

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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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children's health is compromised as the sleeping arrangements for young children is inadequate. The childminder sleeps two toddlers in the same cot and this increases the risk of cross infection occurring.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm environment where the childminder sustains a generally good level of cleanliness throughout her home. Older children learn about the importance of washing their hands at appropriate times during the day. The childminder has good procedures in place when attending to children's personal needs such as nappy changing and children do not attend if they are unwell with an infectious illness. The childminder has attended refresher first aid training and this enables her to give appropriate care if a child is sick or has an accident. Systems are in place for the recording of medication administration or accident recording and this protects children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children have daily opportunities for physical play as they can choose to play in the garden or when attending local children's centres where they can run and explore the environment freely and safely.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children benefit for a healthy diet. The childminder provides breakfast for children and parents provide all other foods. The childminder ensures these foods are stored and reheated appropriately. Snacks of fruit and drinks are readily available as required.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The childminder has a poor understanding of the importance of providing sufficient equipment to meet each child's needs. This is due to sleeping two children in a travel cot at the same time and this impacts on their safety and health being compromised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Overall, children play in a safe and secure environment because the childminder has taken precautions to minimise any hazards in the home. For example, a safety gate is positioned across the living room to prevent children accessing other parts of the home unsupervised. The childminder has an emergency evacuation plan in place and smoke alarms are fitted and checked regularly. The childminder is vigilant about safety outside the home and ensures appropriate age and stage car seats are used when driving.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Space is organised to enable children to move around freely. Toys and play materials are stored in crates on the floor so children can reach them easily and make choices about their play.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is protected as the childminder has a sound knowledge of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and understands the reporting procedure to follow if concerned for a child.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder knows the children fairly well and has a satisfactory understanding of providing activities for children's individual

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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 interests. Toys are stored to enable children to develop their independence in choosing what they want to do. The childminder spends time playing with the children, trying to ensure they all receive her time and attention. However, occasionally the youngest children play alone as the childminder is engaged in play with older children. Toddlers thoroughly enjoy playing outdoors with water play where they learn to investigate and experiment when pouring and filling containers. The babies also benefit from early exploration when the childminder sits them on her lap which enables them to splash and feel the water on their hands.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder uses the Birth to three matters framework to guide her planning and she records observations and achievements of the child in their individual portfolios.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children regularly go on outings to the local children's centre or to the park where they have the opportunities to explore different activities and socialise with other groups of children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder discusses individual children's needs in relation to their diet and sleep patterns with parents and this is incorporated into the daily routine. This ensures children have consistent care provided.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have some opportunities to learn about diversity as the childminder has a small selection of resources which reflect different cultures. The children also participate in activities around festivals when visiting the local children's centre. The childminder has had some experience of caring for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and works together with parents to meet their needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder manages children's behaviour appropriately in accordance with their age and stage of development. The childminder responds positively to young children encouraging them to share and be kind to each other.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder recognises the importance of working with parents and ensures that parents know how their child is progressing. The childminder gives verbal feedback on a daily basis and shares written information in their child's individual portfolios. This ensures children have continuity of care.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Overall, the childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. This is due to her exceeding her registered numbers of children and this is a breach of her conditions of registration. The childminder has been caring for up to six children under eight years on some days. Also there is insufficient equipment such as travel cots provided and this impacts on children's individual needs not being fully met and compromises their health and safety.

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Organisation

The childminder is keen to develop her knowledge of child development further and is currently studying a National Vocational Qualification in Childcare. All of the required documentation, such as attendance registers, accident and medication records are all maintained and up to date. The environment is comfortable and organised generally well. Children are supported by

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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 the childminder who has a flexible routine to include play activities and time for rest and relaxation.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was judged as inadequate. This was due to the childminder not having a valid first aid certificate and not obtaining parents written permission for emergency medical treatment. The childminder has attended a refresher first aid course which enables her to deal with any medical emergencies appropriately. Parents permission has now been obtained for emergency medical treatment and this ensures children's well being.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since 1 April 2004 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. 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 the registered numbers of children is not exceeded at any time • provide a sufficient and suitable range of sleeping equipment to meet the individual needs of young children 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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