Hackney Community College

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 130407 Inspection date 30 January 2006 Inspector Anneliese Fox-Jones

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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 1993. She lives with her husband, two adult children and one further child aged 12 years. They live in a house close to central Watford, schools and parks. There is a secure garden for outside play. The ground floor of the property is mainly used for childminding with access to the bathroom on the first floor. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She is currently minding 4 children.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children generally stay healthy through the childminder's satisfactory hygiene routines. They are cared for in a clean and tidy environment. Children are beginning to understand hygiene and develop independence in their personal care. They are encouraged to wash their hands after going to the toilet and before eating. Their health is managed by the childminder's understanding of how to prevent the spread of infection. Children sleep accordingly, although their sleep arrangements are not sufficiently appropriate. Children do not benefit from regular physical activity. However, they enjoy fresh air and exercise when they walk to and from the local school. Children's dietary requirements are met to a satisfactory standard because the childminder takes account of parents' wishes. Children mainly bring their own food, although they are also provided with additional snacks such as biscuits, fruit and cakes. Children are

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Helping children to be healthy

adequately safeguarded because the childminder has up to date training in first aid.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children have access to a limited selection of resources, and what is available is organised in two low storage boxes. At times they show signs of boredom by racing around the furniture chasing one another. This puts children's safety at risk as they are exposed to risks of accidental injury. This is not responded to and explanations about the consequences of their behaviour is not fully given to support their understanding. Children have access to adequate space where a large clear floor allows children to move freely around. Areas accessible to them are safe as hazards have been minimised. Large cushions around the fire place hearth and stair gates are in place to help keep children safe. Children's safety is compromised because the childminder has limited knowledge of child protection issues and procedures. Children are not safeguarded by effective vetting procedures because some family members have not been suitably checked.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is therefore compromised. Children are kept safe on outings through the use of buggy straps for younger children and older children holding on to the buggy.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. Children's individual needs are not met and their welfare is not promoted. Activities and play opportunities do not help to develop children's emotional, physical, social and intellectual capabilities. Children experience an insufficient range of activities which enhance their development inside and outside the home. The outcomes for

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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 children are inadequate as a result of the childminder's lack of knowledge and understanding of good, stimulating and quality care. The organisation of resources does not meet the children's needs, this limits their potential to develop and learning that could take place. The television is on in the background and children generally watch due to the lack of equipment to engage their interest. The childminder does not have a copy of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to help her develop the skills of young children further. Children have the freedom to choose from what is available and the childminder follows their interests. Children make positive relationships with others and they play happily together using their initiative to make up their own games. Children are

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

beginning to interact with each other as they play alongside their peers, they observe what is going on around them and imitate actions from others. Children have warm relationships with the childminder, they go to her for comfort and attention.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children learn about diversity through an awareness of the childminder's own celebrations. However, they do not have opportunities to become aware of wider society because resources, discussions and materials which promote knowledge and reflect positive images are not available. Children are encouraged to play together fairly and take it in turns to play with what each other have selected. Children feel a sense of belonging as warm relationships are developed. They enjoy cuddles with the childminder. Children are aware of their own needs and are confident to ask for a drink when they are thirsty. Children receive appropriate support with regards to their normal routines of eating, sleeping and resting. They are included and treated equally in the life of the setting. The childminder does not have a system in place to record complaints. Therefore children's welfare cannot be fully monitored and parents' views and concerns are not

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Helping children make a positive contribution

appropriately respected or acknowledged. Children are beginning to understand responsible behaviour because they are told when they are playing nicely or being good. Therefore, praise encourages children to behave well. The childminder has effective relationships with parents and obtains permission for taking children out. She talks with parents about the days events when they collect their children. Children benefit from this working partnership.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder is poorly organised and does not have a sound understanding of the National Standards. Many records and documentation that promote the welfare and care of the children are not in place. Vetting procedures are not robust or complete. Together with the lack of resources, equipment and a stimulating environment for children of all ages impacts on children's ability to achieve and the overall organisation of the provision. This compromises children's well-being and limits their

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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 potential to develop. The childminder adequately meets the children's requirements with regards to their daily routines. Children are made to feel at ease and comfortable by the childminder's gentle approach. Overall the childminder does not meet the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last care inspection the childminder was asked to carry out a number of improvements. Some progress has been made since the last inspection. However, some have been insufficiently completed and remain as actions. Children's health benefit because the childminder has renewed her first aid. She has now completed an approved course for young children and infants. Daily records of the children looked after have improved to increase children's welfare. She now keeps records of children's attendance and has medication, accident records as well as contractual agreements with parents. The garden shed and low-level glass have been made safe. Children's safety benefit from the film put in place on all low-level glass and the lock fitted to the shed. The childminder was asked to provide a suitable range of toys, books and activities in order to meet the developmental needs of children from one to eight years and

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Improvements since the last inspection

develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. These actions have insufficiently been completed and are carried forward from this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 Ofsted has received two complaints relating to the National Standards. A complaint was made to Ofsted in October 2004 relating to standards 1,3,6,7,12 and 13 regarding an allegation of inappropriate safety measures for transporting children and the concern of over minding more than her registration allowed. Ofsted investigated the concerns raised and found evidence that two breaches of registration conditions had been committed. The childminder was given actions to complete under standard 1; to ensure that persons who have not been vetted are never left unsupervised in the presence of children and to ensure that anyone in the household over the age of 16 years and assists with childminding is suitably vetted, standard 3; to provide a suitable range of toys, books and activities in order to meet the developmental needs of children from 0 to 8 years, standard 6; to ensure that children are supervised at all times on outings, standard 13; to develop knowledge

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Complaints since the last inspection

and understanding of child protection issues and standard 14; to obtain public liability insurance, obtain written permission from parents for transporting children and keep records of attendance, accidents, medication and contractual agreements. When invited for interview it was decided that the childminder had satisfactorily responded to the actions given. A further complaint received in September 2005, were concerns about the suitability

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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 of the childminder, the standards of care she provided and the numbers of children she was caring for. These concerns related to National Standards 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 14. Ofsted made an unannounced visit and as a result issued two compliance notices regarding the failure to comply with previous actions. One compliance covered standards 5 and 14 with regards to documentation and resources and the other standards 1 and 6 regarding direct supervision of the children and the use of assistants. Further visits were carried out to ensure compliance was being met. Ofsted were satisfied with the actions being taken. The childminder remains qualified for registration. 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

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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 persons over the age of 16 years living in the household undergo criminal record checks • ensure that the child protection procedure complies with those of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) • plan and provide a suitable range of activities for children, which are appropriate for their stage of development and based on their individual needs • keep a record of complaints relating to the national standards and any action taken. 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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