Sunfield Garden School and Children's Home

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

117033 Unique Reference Number 29 July 2008 Inspection date Jacqueline Munden Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and their two children; one adult and one school age in Whitely Wood, Reading. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and the bathroom and one bedroom on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child on a part-time basis although there were no children present at the inspection.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Through discussion the childminder explained how she protects children from the spread of infection. For example, she states that children use disposable towels after washing their hands. Records relating to children's health and accidents are recorded appropriately and countersigned

p.2

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 by parents. The childminder is able to respond well to medical emergencies as she has obtained parental consent to seek emergency treatment and is trained in first aid.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

Records show children are provided with snacks and light meals, some of which are healthy and nutritious. The childminder takes into account the wishes of parents and meets each child's dietary needs to ensure they remain healthy. Drinking water is always available.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have access to the garden for physical play and as the childminder does not drive, get exercise as they walk to school or the park.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children have adequate space to play both in and outdoors. A suitable range of play equipment and books are available which are made accessible when children are present. They are clean and in good condition.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The premises is secure but children's safety is not adequately protected. Cleaning materials, medicines and alcohol are accessible and free standing shelving units are not stable. The risk to children accessing the second floor has not been assessed. Suitable precautions are in place in case of fire such as smoke detectors and a fire blanket. Children are not suitably protected from danger when playing outdoors as the raised veranda has a gap through which children can fall and the steps down to the garden are accessible. The water feature is covered but this has deteriorated and is no longer effective; access to the shed is not restricted.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is not safeguarded due to the childminder's lack of knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and implementation of procedures to comply with the National Standards and the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). Parents are not informed of the procedure she should follow if she has a concern. The childminder does not ensure all adults in her home are suitably vetted or maintain a record of children's attendance as required by regulation.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Although minded children are not present at the inspection the childminder explains how she ensures they are suitably cared for and provided with appropriate activities and resources. She has attended training in some aspects of children's play such as messy and creative play and understands how they learn from these experiences. The older children she cares for after school are given opportunities to rest and take part in computer type games as they prefer and in agreement with parents.

p.3

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Through discussion the childminder explained how she has increased books and play materials that promote children's learning of diversity. She has a positive attitude to supporting children with learning difficulties and disabilities. The childminder explained she would discuss children's behaviour with parents.

p.3

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 Partnership with parents is promoted by the use of daily diaries to share information as well as thorough regular discussions about children's needs. Required information and parental consent is obtained at registration. Parents are provided with a range of written polices explaining the childminder's practice. However, the childminder does not have clear understanding of the regulation regarding the making of and the reporting of complaints as required by regulation. Therefore, parents are not properly informed of the procedure which does not ensure issues of concern are dealt with appropriately.

p.3

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides. She understands how they develop and has attended relevant training but fails to provide a safe environment. She does not meet regulations that require her to ensure all adults in the home are suitably vetted and to record the hours of children's attendance; a wide range of policies and procedures are in place and shared with parents but weaknesses in those pertaining to safeguarding children and complaints further compromise children's safety and well-being. Children's records are maintained appropriately and stored in a confidential manner.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection four recommendations were made. These were to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice, to make sure that children do not have access to the fire, and that electric sockets in areas accessible to children are fitted with socket covers and develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

Children are provided with an acceptable range of resources and activities that promote diversity. Only some aspects of children's safety has improved as the fire is now inaccessible but not all electric sockets are covered. Although the childminder has attended training in child protection she does not have a clear understanding of her responsibilities should she have a concern and in safeguarding children which is reflected in the policy she has written. This does not ensure children are fully protected.

p.4

Improvements since the last inspection

An action was also set to ensure that all records relating to childminding attendance are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times. The childminder has failed to meet this action as she does not maintain a record of children's attendance as required by regulation which further jeopardises children's safety.

p.4

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.

p.4

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.

p.4

Complaints 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

p.4

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • ensure members of the household are suitably vetted • record the times of children's attendance • assess the risks to children in relation to the water feature, the shed and veranda in the garden, their access to cleaning materials, medicines, alcohol and the second floor of the house and the safety of shelf units and take action to minimise these • provide parents with information of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint • improve understanding and implementation of procedures for child protection to comply with the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB). These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

p.5

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

p.5

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

p.5