Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY356456 Unique Reference Number 29 May 2008 Inspection date Janette Mary White 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 2007 and she works with an assistant. She lives with her husband and two children in Gillingham Kent. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children, or six children when working with an assistant. She is currently minding 10 children on a part time basis. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. There is a medical policy, which provides details of the procedure the childminder follows. She maintains records on medication. However, the parents have not given individual written permission to administer medication prescribed by a doctor or provided by them. This is a breach of regulation. In addition, parents have not acknowledged some separate entries of medication,

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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 which has been administered by the childminder. Accidents are recorded, but some entries are unsigned by the parents to acknowledge what has happened to their child. There is a system to record existing injuries. The childminder has ensured that she has written permission to seek emergency treatment on the child’s behalf. However, this does not include permission for emergency advice. Children are provided with some experiences which promote their knowledge and understanding of positive health issues. The childminder gives consideration to helping children to be independent with self help skills, such as washing hands. Children and visitors use individual flannels to reduce the risk of cross infection. A changing mat is used when changing children’s nappies, although gloves are not used. The childminder holds a current

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Helping children to be healthy

first aid certificate in order to ensure she administers appropriate first aid care to the children. However, the assistant does not have an up to date first aid certificate to ensure that children receive appropriate care in the event of any health emergency. First aid equipment is easily accessible within the home. Children sometimes use the garden or have opportunities to visit local parks and playgrounds to support their physical skills. They benefit from playing in the fresh air which in turn promotes their physical development and sense of wellbeing. Children ask for a drink at lunchtime and younger children are reminded to drink regularly. The childminder takes account of children’s choices to provide meals and snacks that meet their dietary needs and appeal to them.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children’s physical play, which takes place outside the front of the house, is not under the direct supervision of either the childminder or assistant. The front door is locked and children are not within sight or hearing of either carer. This is a breach of regulation. The childminder gives some consideration to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe when on outings. For example, children are encouraged to hold hands or the buggy when crossing roads. Older children explain that they stop, look and listen for traffic before crossing the road. Children are confident and settled in the childminder's house and older children identify the rooms they do not use. They play freely and independently and stair gates are in place. Children select activities from a sufficient range of toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. For example, older children choose to use the computer or play with the construction bricks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The emergency evacuation procedure has not been sufficiently practised with all the children who attend, although the emergency escape plan is discussed when they first arrive at the childminder's house. There are smoke alarms on every level. However, the fire blanket is not easily accessible. The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection procedures and is aware of her responsibility to protect the welfare of the child. She has procedures and documents in place and her child protection policy meets the Local Safeguarding Children Board requirements.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Older children describe how they have time when they can relax or be active in accordance with their interests and needs, such as playing ‘the hospital game’ on the computer or watching television. The childminder does not use the Birth to three matters framework to promote younger children’s development. However, she does maintain a daily diary and a 'learning story book' for the younger children, which is shared with parents. Resources and toys are stored in containers. However, some toys stored in boxes do not always aid the children’s independent choice. For example, they are not labelled with words and pictures. Children play with a minimal

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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 range of resources relating to equality of opportunity. They are settled, confident and make themselves at home. They relate well to each other and socialise with other children through regular attendance at local toddler groups. Children become independent as they choose between a range of toys, books and activities which appeal to them. They listen and respond to music tapes and songs, and enjoy the experience of messy play, such as painting stones from the garden. Appropriate daily routines ensure younger children understand that they need to put on aprons before painting and messy play, this promotes their independence in personal care. They enjoy a sufficient range of activities which contribute to their creativity, such as dancing, listening and moving to music, painting, and cooking. For example, older children

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

describe how they melt the chocolate to make cakes. Discussions with the childminder and assistant suggest that they describe the needs of individual children appropriately and from the observed interactions that they relate well to them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. The childminder has not ensured that she has the children’s required details or written permissions for all the children she cares for. This is a breach of regulation. Currently, the childminder does not have all the required information to support the needs of all the children in her care. Children are only released into the care of authorised adults and there is a procedure in place for emergencies. The childminder has some understanding of the importance of treating each child with equal respect and concern. However, there are insufficient resources for children to develop positive images of the wider world. Children do not have a sufficient range of toys and equipment to further develop their understanding of equal opportunities. Children are respected as individuals. They feel secure and benefit from consistency of care, which is achieved by the childminder and parents working together. Children respond well to frequent praise and

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Helping children make a positive contribution

encouragement and are well behaved because they understand boundaries set by the childminder. The house rules are used to reinforce the children’s understanding of acceptable behaviour. For example, these rules are displayed in pictures and words for all children to easily understand. The childminder has a general awareness of children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The childminder has a sound understanding of her policy for parents to make a complaint. She has a system in place to log any concerns and to provide a summary on request to any parent.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has not ensured that the assistant has updated his first aid qualification to secure his knowledge and understanding of current first aid care, when he has sole charge of children. This is a breach of regulation. On the day of the inspection there were 10 children present, of these, two are the childminder’s and assistant’s own children. However, the number of older children present during the day adversely affects the care provide for children under eight. This is a breach of regulation. Therefore, children are not receiving sufficient care. The childminder has not ensured that all the required details for the children are maintained. In the event of the need to check historical records children are not fully protected and at risk through the lack of information. Records are easily accessible, ready for inspection and the childminder is aware of how long these must be retained. The childminder has all the relevant checks. The

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Organisation

register contains details of the hours of attendance. However, there is no system to record regular visitors. The registration certificate is displayed during the hours of operation. Children are at ease with the childminder and their surroundings. As a result, they lead in their play and

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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 are not afraid to ask for what they need. Policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents to keep them informed about the service and their child’s activities. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since registration 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 the assistant completes an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children. • ensure the care of children over eight years does not adversely affect the care of the younger children. • ensure children are under the direct supervision of the childminder or assistant at all times. • ensure parents give prior written permission to administer medication. • ensure records for all children are maintained. 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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