Horner, Michele

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY101683 Inspection date 04 October 2005 Inspector Jane Pamela Berry

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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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her family in a detached property in the Middleton area of Rochdale, Lancashire. Children have access to all areas on the ground floor of the property. They also have access to the rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered for 6 children and is willing to collect children from local schools.

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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 There are currently 13 children on roll, some of whom attend on a part-time basis. Links have been established with the early year's team in the local authority.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children benefit from secure attachments and routines that enable them to feel a sense of belonging. They experience warm and affectionate relationships with their peers, and with the childminder. Children are developing their physical co-ordination. They enjoy the mark making, providing opportunities for them to practise their hand and eye co-ordination and fine motor skills. Opportunities to develop their physical skills, such as climbing, riding and balancing in the garden are provided. The children have access to the outdoor environment, including visiting places of interest, although walks are somewhat restricted due to the number of young children attending. Good relationships are evident as they play with the childminder, who joins in their games, although she is sometimes a little distracted due to the demands of the younger children. Young children are encouraged to sit and eat independently at the table for meals

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Helping children to be healthy

and are cared for sensitively. Children are given sufficient drinks although are these are not accessed independently by the children. The children’s dietary needs are satisfactorily met and healthy living is mostly encouraged, for example, they are having cheese spread sandwiches and fruit for their lunch, due to the childminder having an appointment. Parents are asked to collect children if they become unwell whilst they are in the care of the childminder, ensuring the risk of cross infection is reduced. Children’s needs are discussed and agreed with parents on admission, ensuring that any religious or personal requirements are met. Opportunities to develop children’s awareness about healthy living are currently under developed and opportunities are missed to raise children’s awareness about health issues during play. They are however, learning about the importance of personal hygiene through effective toileting and hand

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Helping children to be healthy

washing routines. The four very young children accompany the childminder to a dental appointment, offering them personal experiences. The quality of the experience is however, minimised as limited conversation with the children takes place.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder having a satisfactory knowledge of the child protection procedures and knowing what to do should concerns arise. This has been further developed through the childminder accessing training in this area. Play equipment is of good quality. This is organised well and is accessible, enabling young children to play with a wide range of planned sensory and domestic

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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 play materials. This offers good opportunities to promote children’s independence during play and for them to be able to investigate materials and to exercise their decision making skills. Children are mostly transported in vehicle. The childminder reports that she takes the children to collect the older children from the school playground in a double buggy, in order to keep them safe. Young children, however, are not learning enough about keeping safe whilst in the community or by close supervision by the childminder. Children benefit from equipment and furniture promoting their safety and welfare, such as safety gates being in place. A young child is, however, able to access an uncovered electrical socket and he is vulnerable as he plays switching it on and off. The childminder has forgotten to replace the safety cover in the socket and is not

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

aware of the danger. The young child is however left to his own devises as the childminder allows him to stay in lounge unsupervised for lengthy periods of time. The low level glass in the lounge presents a hazard to the children when they play alone in this area. Therefore children are not supervised closely enough and are not kept safe. Photographic evidence shows children are placed in vulnerable situations, as the childminder allows them to play near a large pond despite an agreement that this area would be made inaccessible. The childminder is also minding too many children, which impacts on the quality of care and the safety and welfare of the children.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. The children play happily both independently and together. They engage in age appropriate activities and are interested and well motivated. The younger children show an interest in drawing pictures, and the childminder supports them appropriately as they make marks on paper. Children communicate their needs well from a young age. The childminder is making efforts to support their development by introducing new words during play. The children, however, do not receive sufficient attention as there are too many very young children present. Children play pretend games, such as dressing up and the older children enjoy visiting historical places and Gulliver's World in the holidays. Outings are utilised well to support children’s learning. Young children visit local groups providing many worthwhile opportunities for socialising with other children. They gain experiences of the wider community

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

when they go shopping and visit the local park. Children access a good selection of equipment that is appropriate to their individual needs. They have opportunities to bake and to manipulate materials at the local playgroup. The childminder states that the children are progressing well in most areas of their development. The children enjoy frequent independent access to quality books and stories are also read to the children on a regular basis.

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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 Children have warm and affectionate relationships with the childminder and children are supported to show consideration for one another. They are encouraged to develop their independence by helping to tidy away their toys. The childminder manages their behaviour reasonably well, for example, focussing on the things children are good at, and distracting the children when conflict arises. The children are learning social skills, such as taking turns and sharing equipment. They behave and respond well to the positive strategies that are used by the childminder. Children benefit from partnerships that are encouraged through effective interactions with parents, where information is shared through regular dialogue, and some of the children benefit from communication notebooks being maintained. The childminder

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Helping children make a positive contribution

has good settling in procedures which help to form good relationships, building children's confidence and promoting their self-esteem. The childminder encourages prospective parents to bring their children to visit, gradually building the time that the children stay until they are happy and confident in the setting. Children have access to equipment reflecting different lifestyles, such as books that portray positive images of race and culture. The childminder is aware of issues relating to special needs and has a positive attitude to inclusion. Children's awareness and attitude to disability is promoted during play activities, such as playing with dolls that have walking aids. Children’s health, medication, and individual dietary needs are discussed and agreed with parents, prior to the children starting with the childminder, although one child's details were absent on the day of the visit. Parents are informed verbally of what their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

children have been doing, this occurs usually when they collect their children. This demonstrates that the childminder builds satisfactory relationships with parents and the children in her care.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The certificate of registration and insurance documents are all prominently displayed providing information for parents on the childcare service provided. Children's needs in the event of an accident are satisfactorily met. The childminder has completed first aid training, giving her up to date information of emergency procedures, should the need arise. The environment is child friendly and is welcoming and inviting for parents and children. The children have access to a wide range of resources supporting their development. Children's emergency contact, health details, and parental consents have been obtained for most, but not all of the children attending. One child does not have any personal records, as the childminder states that she is only visiting on a casual basis. The records presented for inspection do not correspond with the number of children present on the day of the visit as the childminder is minding more children than stated

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Organisation

on her certificate of registration. Records indicate that this has occurred over a period of time. This has a negative impact on the quality of care afforded to the children. Registers are not up to date and omissions over periods of time were also noted. The organisation of records for the safe management of the provision therefore is poor.

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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 This does not ensure children’s welfare is safeguarded and places children at risk. The childminder does not have a sufficient knowledge of the standards and therefore does not meet the needs of the range of the children overall.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last visit the childminder was asked to ensure all household members over 16 years of age and any visitors that are regularly present when minding are subjected to satisfactory checks. The childminder has initiated suitability checks as requested. The childminder was also asked to ensure children are under her direct supervision at all times. The only exception being when arrangements for children to attend alternative provision are agreed in writing by parents. This has been implemented since the inspection. The childminder was reminded that she must ensure all documentation is completed and is readily available on the premises for inspection at all times. At this visit this fell below the standard expected for the safe management of the provision.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Ofsted received concerns relating to Suitable Person (National Standard 1) and Organisation (National Standard 2) A childcare inspector visited the provision on 28 July 2005. Actions were raised and these were reported to have been satisfactorily met by the registered provider. The provider therefore remains qualified for registration.

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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: • implement an action plan that ensures that the number of children stated on the certificate of registration is not exceeded at any time • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in the regulations for childminding

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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 children are not exposed to potential hazards • ensure records for the safe and effective management of the provision are maintained, including registers of children's attendance with arrival and departure times entered daily 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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