Three Counties Primary School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 135141 Inspection date 11 October 2005 Inspector Helen Maria Steven

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 1997. She lives with her daughter aged 12 years, in the Ladbroke Grove area of the London Borough of Westminster. The whole of the flat is used for childminding. There is no access to an outdoor area however, children are regularly taken to the local park and communal playground. The family has no pets. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 2 children at any one time and is currently minding 1 child under 5 years, each day.

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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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. The childminder’s daily activities include local outings to parks and playgrounds to enable the children to participate in physical and outdoor play. Children’s dietary needs are met appropriately and the childminder takes account of parent’s wishes and provides foods that meet the children's individual dietary needs. Children are offered drinks regularly and have the opportunity to taste foods from other cultures, for example Moroccan soup. Children’s health is not always well promoted. The childminder has attended a first aid course, but some of the contents of her first aid box are not appropriate to be used on minded children, for example pain killers and creams. Provision for children to rest and sleep is not sufficient as they share bedding used by the childminder and as a result, they are exposed to cross infection.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children’s safety is not actively promoted as the childminder has not addressed hazards recorded at previous inspections, for example, low-level glass is unprotected and sharp knives remain accessible to minded children. The childminder does not ensure that children are well protected, as she does not ensure that all adults in the home are fully vetted, and she does not have a sound knowledge of local child protection procedures. There is insufficient equipment to meet the needs of minded children, for example, minded children are expected to sleep in the childminder’s bed or in their own buggy. The basic range of toys are unorganised, they are stored in a large bucket and are tipped onto the floor in order for minded children to reach the toys at the bottom. Children are unable to use puzzles and games with several parts easily, as they need to spend time finding all the pieces. Children tread on the toys when moving around

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are unable to use some of the available toys due to the lack of organisation. This prevents the children from making good use of toys that provide challenge, for example those that have small pieces, such as puzzles and games. Children have the opportunity to use ride-on toys and play with sand, water and ball

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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 pools, when the childminder takes them to local facilities. Children’s language development is supported by the minder’s use of stories and discussion. Children are encouraged to recall events and persons they had met previously. Children enjoy music making and have the opportunity to listen to a variety of music. Children’s independence is not always promoted, for example, they are not able to learn how to choose toys and put them away when finished.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children’s individual needs are known to the childminder and she tries to meet these needs during the day. Children’s home language is respected by the childminder, but her strategies to encourage children to use their home language are not always effective. For example, during the inspection the childminder continually asked children what certain words were in their home language, but they did not respond. However, when the children used toys that encourage language development, they happily chatted away in their home language. The childminder works in partnership with parents with an aim to meet the children’s individual needs, she exchanges information with parents at the end of the day. Children are not always given consistent boundaries, which results in displays of unwanted behaviour. However, the childminder does successfully manage children’s behaviour when she realises that her initial approach is unsuccessful. Appropriate

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Helping children make a positive contribution

explanations are given to enable children to understand why their behaviour is unacceptable and children are given praise when they behave well. Children have the opportunity to experience cultures and religions different to their own. The childminder encourages children to play with all types of toys regardless of their gender, for example, the childminder shows all children how to plait a dolls hair.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has not ensured the suitability of persons over the age of 16 who are present in her home. She has recording systems in place to promote the welfare of children. However, the system for recording children’s attendance is not sufficient as it is not recorded on a daily basis. The childminders certificate of registration is not clearly on display whilst she is minding and she has not yet developed a recording system for any complaints made by parents. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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 At the last inspection the childminder agreed to develop a system for recording children's attendance. This is now in place, however it is not adequately completed.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints to Ofsted since April 2004. 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 that any person over 16 either living or regularly present in the household when children are being minded have been vetted including a criminal records check. • ensure that there is sufficient equipment available for the needs of the children • ensure that proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents by making the low-level glass safe and sharp knives inaccessible to minded 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

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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