Childminder in Manchester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY232669 Inspection date 23 November 2005 Inspector Krystina Chitryn

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and 2 children aged 9 and 3 years in the Manchester area. The whole of the property except for two bedrooms is used by the minded children and there is a front garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding two children part time in the week. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent/ toddler group. The family has a cat, dogs, birds and fish.

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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 She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from continuity of care and follow healthy eating patterns. The childminder discusses dietary needs with the parents and provides children's food. The childminder offers fruit and vegetables, pasta and rice, ensuring the children benefit from a varied and healthy diet. The childminder talks to children about the benefit of a healthy diet. Children do not have independent access to their drinks as they are kept out of their reach. Satisfactory hygiene standards and routines are undertaken, which ensures the children's health is safe guarded. The childminder explains to children why they need to wash their hands after going to the toilet, enabling them to learn about good hygiene procedures. However, the childminder does not take positive steps during nappy changing to reduce the risk of cross infection to children. The children have regular exercise by visiting groups and the local park. They play in

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Helping children to be healthy

the front garden with bikes and push and ride toys.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are not kept fully safe as they have access to a glass top table and hi-fi unit. A mirror on the mantle is not secured safely. A floor rug takes up space and presents a tripping hazard for the children. The childminder generally undertakes regular risk assessments of the setting. Safety gates are in place. However, children play freely on the fire place, which does not teach the children about fire safety. The childminder checks the toys and equipment daily and prior to specific activities. Children are always in sight or hearing of the childminder. The childminder encourages children to pick up toys as they play. Therefore helping them to begin to lean about safety within the home. The childminder takes emergency telephone numbers on outings to help keep the children safe in case of an emergency. Children have sufficient car seats to ensure their safety when travelling. Children understand about safety while on outings as they walk with reins.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are protected from the pets as the dog is kept separate from the children and has a separate area in the garden. The childminder has insufficient knowledge about child protection issues and is unsure of what she needs to record regarding children arriving with an injury. This puts children at risk.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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 achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. Limited play equipment is accessible to children, particularly for the younger children who attend the setting. Toys and activities are stored upstairs. This restricts children’s independence to access toys and activities of their choice. During the inspection the childminder provided children with a gluing activity, which consisted of paper, lollipop sticks, a glue stick, children's scissors and sticky tape. The activity was more appropriate for the older children present, this resulted in the younger children loosing interest and they were observed to wander about the room aimlessly. Insufficient attention is given to the amount of time children spend watching television. This was seen to have a large impact on the attention span children gave to the activities which were present of the day of the inspection.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children have no access to books, toys and equipment which show positive images or which reflect a diverse society. This restricts their ability to learn and understand about the world around them. Children are fairly well behaved; however, they show signs of boredom wandering around as there are few activities to focus upon. The childminder is supportive of the children and they are encouraged to say please and thank you. The childminder discusses the use of taking turns and passing thing to one another. The children are constantly being told not to touch ornaments and other items in the house as they are stored at child height. This does not encourage good behaviour. The childminder uses a naughty chair, which does not promote children’s self esteem. Children's individual needs are generally met by the childminder as she works in partnership with parents. She exchanges information regularly about the children, for

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Helping children make a positive contribution

example, their likes and dislikes. She has a satisfactory system of communication and ensures the passage of information between herself and parents. This ensures the children receive consistent care as agreed between the childminder and parents.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children and their families generally feel welcome. Children have the use of the sitting room downstairs, kitchen and bathroom. The space in the room is limited and the rolled up rug does not allow children to move freely in the space. It also represents a safety hazard.

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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 Children generally benefit from continuity of care as a result of communication between parents and the childminder. The childminder does not keep a daily register of children's attendance, nor does she obtain written permission for the administration of first aid or medication. Both these aspects are mandatory in regulations. Overall the provision does not meet the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was asked to improve fire safety precautions by maintaining the smoke alarms on the first and ground floor in working order. These are now working and regularly maintained. The childminder was asked to obtain written permission from parents for emergency medical advice or treatments. This she has not done, the result of which is that the children’s safety is compromised. She was asked to ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equal opportunities and anti discriminatory practice. The childminder has not provided this equipment and is therefore not able to fully promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice for the children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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:

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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 • ensure that children have an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti discriminatory practice • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times • ensure that positive steps are taken to promote safety within the setting and ensure that proper precautions are taken to prevent accidents • ensure that children’s individual needs are met and that their welfare is promoted. Plan and provide activities and play opportunities to develop children’s emotional, physical, social and intellectual capacity These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed

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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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