Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY362466 Unique Reference Number 28 July 2008 Inspection date Christine Lynne Hodge 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 September 2007. She lives with her adult daughter and three children age nine, seven and 22 months in a two bedroom, third floor flat in New Cross within the London Borough of Lewisham. The whole of the childminder's home is registered for childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children aged from two years to under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five years on a part time basis.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children's health and wellbeing are not fully promoted as although the childminder holds a current first aid qualification she does not have any provision for recording medication and accidents or have parents' written consent for seeking emergency treatment. Children are not

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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 provided with sufficient fresh air and exercise as they only have limited space on the balcony for outdoor play and are not taken on any outings.

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Helping children to be healthy

The home environment is clean and suitably maintained. Wooden floors are mopped regularly and anti-bacterial cleaning products are used on work surfaces. Children are protected from cross infection as the childminder has a clear exclusion policy for sick children and provides individual changing mats for nappy changing. Children can rest and sleep according to their individual needs. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of healthy eating. She offers support and advice to parents on children's dietary needs and provides fresh fruit for snacks.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children's safety is compromised. The childminder has insufficient knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She does not have a written record of the children's attendance and risk assessments are not completed to ensure that her home is free from hazards, such as trailing kettle and toaster leads and exposed electrical sockets. The childminder is unable to find her fire blanket so children are at risk in the event of a fire.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Although furniture in the childminder's home is in good condition she has limited equipment and a limited range of play resources required for caring for children under eight years. Younger children have to sit on the floor to be fed as there is no high chair or child size table and chairs. Although toys are in good condition, they are stored away in the hall cupboard so are not readily accessible to children to encourage them to make choices. The childminder explains to children about the dangers of climbing on the furniture.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. Children are happy and settled with the childminder. They have a limited choice of play resources which are put out by the childminder. These include mainly baby, musical and activity toys. Other similar type toys are stored in the hall cupboard. Play resources and activities do not promote all areas of children's learning and development. Children do not have opportunities for role play, to build with construction, for shape sorting with puzzles, to be creative or for physical play. During the inspection children sit and watch the television and fight over the toys. The childminder sits on the floor with them to encourage them to share and take turns and to draw in picture paint books. She does not interact with the children to extend their learning.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Although the childminder talks to parents and works in partnership with them on issues such as feeding and potty training, she does not have a required complaints procedure or information for parents regarding Ofsted's details. Also there are no settling in procedures to allow children time to get to know her before being left and the childminder does not have any child record forms to provide her with information required to care for children's individual needs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

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 promotes inclusive practice and welcomes children into her home regardless of culture, language, religion or ability. Although boys and girls have access to the same resources the childminder does not have any positive image play resources to help children learn about diversity or disability. Strategies for managing children's behaviour include talking to children about unwanted behaviour and distraction. She gives praise and encouragement to foster children's self esteem.

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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. The care and safety of children is compromised because, although the childminder been registered since September 2007, she has not attended registration training, a requirement of her registration. She has, therefore, not been proactive in gaining knowledge and understanding of the National Standards and her childminding practice. As a result, the childminder is not maintaining required records, so is in breach of her registration. She is not familiar with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures so cannot adequately protect and safeguard children and her home is not sufficiently safe. Children are provided with a limited range of resources and activities, therefore not all areas of their learning and development are promoted. The childminder has, however, completed a first aid course.

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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 complaint 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: • complete a Local Authority registration training course • complete a risk assessment of the childminding environment and make sure that all necessary safety precautions are in place

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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 • provide a suitable range of indoor and outdoor activities and play resources that promote all areas of children's learning and development, including resources that help children to learn about diversity and disability • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures • keep a record of complaints relating to the National Standards and any action taken and provide parents with details of Ofsted • ensure that all required documentation relating to childminding is appropriately maintained and is available for inspection at all times 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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