Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY261846 Inspection date 18 November 2005 Inspector Janet Butlin

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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 2003 and is registered to care for six children under eight years. He works with his wife who is a separately registered childminder. They live in a three storey house close to the centre of Exeter. The whole of the ground and lower ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. This includes the lounge and toilet facilities on the ground floor and a playroom, bedroom, study and toilet facilities on the lower ground floor. The garden is not used for childminding. Children who stay overnight sleep on the lower ground floor.

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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 house is a short walk to parks and schools. Family pets comprise a dog who is kept outside when minded children are present.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children enjoy the fresh air on a regular basis as the childminder takes them on walks to nearby parks and places of interest. They play in an adequately clean house, although a lack of attention to ensuring that personal items such as dummies are not used by other children means that they are at risk of cross infection. Children's continuity of care is compromised as records of accidents are not routinely countersigned. Also their health and well being is further compromised because a failure to request regulatory written parental consent does not ensure that the childminder is able to respond appropriately in the event of children having an accident or medical emergency. Children enjoy a nutritionally sound diet in plentiful quantities. The childminder ensures that children are provided with the foods that they particularly enjoy and that meals are promptly provided.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children play in a child-friendly environment where space is well organised to provide sufficient room for children to play and rest. Children have an adequate range of toys and games to choose from and these are in sound condition. Younger children access whatever is set out for them and the older children know where their age-appropriate toys are kept so that they can get them when they want them. Children are kept safe in the home by the way the childminder monitors risks, such as trailing flexes and access to stairs. However, lack of reliable and clear records of attendance means that children are at risk through lack of information in the event of needing to check a historical record; also in the event of an evacuation it is not possible to ensure every child is accounted for and is protected. Children have some protection from abuse or neglect as the childminder has a sound

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

understanding of these issues, however, the childminder's system of recording concerns lacks rigour.

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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 The provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy a suitable range of activities to meet their different interests and stages of development. The childminder is sensitive to the individual rhythms of each child and ensures they have a rest whenever they need one. They go on walks with the dog and feed the ponies in the nearby field. This widens children's awareness of the world about them. They roll and manipulate dough and enjoy familiar television programmes and computer games. Their early learning is augmented by the opportunity to listen to tapes in various languages. Children interact well with the childminder as they look at books together and investigate musical toys. They are confident and settled.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children's individual needs are known and respected and the childminder has a good understanding of equality of opportunity. The childminder also has a sound understanding of working with children who have special needs and the benefit bestowed on children from working closely with their parents. The absence of written agreements regarding the terms of care impacts on children being cared for in accordance with their parents wishes. The childminder has daily discussions with parents regarding the sort of day the children have had, for example how much they have eaten and how long they have slept. At present there is no system of recording complaints and this is being developed. Children are well behaved and receive appropriate praise for their achievements, for example developing their language skills and recognising pictures in a book. The childminder is aware of effective behaviour management strategies.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder provides a suitable environment for children to play. Space and resources are satisfactorily organised. Systems relating to health and safety of children do not always fully protect children. There is no written agreement in place for some of the children being cared for, not all regulatory consents are in place and children's attendance is not reliably recorded. These weaknesses impact on children's safety and their continuity of care. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom he provides. Documentation and systems lack detail, such as a means of recording any complaints that might be made and logging any concerns, which means that not all information is readily available

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the previous inspection the provider was required to establish written agreements with parents, to obtain signed consent forms, to develop a system for the recording of child protection concerns and ensure that the lower ground floor exit door could be

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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 opened. The ground floor door has been repaired and can now be opened. This has improved children's safety. However, all other recommendations have not been fulfilled. This means that identified weaknesses continue to impact on children's safety and their continuity of care

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection Ofsted have received no complaints. 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 parents countersign records of any accidents • keep a daily record of attendance, including times, of children and adults looking after them • establish and maintain all regulatory documentation and consents 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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