Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY267032 Inspection date 31 January 2006 Inspector Mauvene Burke

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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 December 2003. She lives with her husband and 5 children aged 6 years to 22 years, in a four-bedroom maisonette. The premises is located in the Walworth area in the London Borough of Southwark. Childminding takes place in the living room and the kitchen-diner situated on the upper level, toilet facilities are on the middle level of the premises. There is no garden and no pets living on the premises. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time

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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 and is currently minding one child under 2 years, three days a week.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children are experiencing some poor hygiene practices at the childminder's home. These are exposing them to the spread of infection and do not help to teach children about staying healthy. For example, the childminder does not always wash her hands before feeding the children and they do not have their own bed linen, instead children sleep on the childminder's own sheets and use her duvet. Systems regarding nappy changing are satisfactory. Although the childminder has the required documentation in place regarding accidents and the administration of medication, she does not use these effectively to ensure children's well-being. For example, she does not record the relevant information required, such as dosage, time and date, and does not have written permission from parents to administer medication or seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Children have meals provided for them by their parent. Children are at risk of

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Helping children to be healthy

becoming ill from the food becoming contaminated because of the childminder's failure to safely store perishable food such as yoghurts. Children benefit from having regular drinks throughout the day, but this is limited to sweet drinks such as a boxed Ribena drink and juice. Children are not given any drinking water during the day. Limited opportunities are available for children to receive regular fresh air and exercise as the childminder rarely takes them out, except to the shop or when the minder collects her own children from school. Children attend the local park during warm weather.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children have adequate space available to them in the living room and this enables them to move around freely but not necessarily safely. For example, children are able to move freely from the living room to across the hall way and into the kitchen. However, the ranch style stairs banisters are currently easily accessible to them which compromises their complete safety. Furthermore, although the childminder has working smoke alarms, a fire blanket in her kitchen and holds a valid first aid certificate, she does not have in place a safe fire evacuation procedure. Children's welfare is not sufficiently safeguarded as the childminder does not have a secure understanding of child protection issues. Children have few toys and activities to choose from. The resources available to them are not sufficient to enable them to develop emotional, intellectual, social, creative and physical skills. Children do not have opportunities to be independent

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

when eating because of the poor eating arrangements in place. Children are

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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 currently fed their meals whilst sitting on the childminder's lap.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. The environment in which children are cared for does not provide them with enough opportunities to be creative; build on their natural curiosity as learners; or help to develop their language or use their imagination. This is mainly because of the poor selection of resources they have available and because of the childminder's weak knowledge of child development and how children learn through their play. Children have little or no opportunities to socialise with children of their own age because the childminder does not take them out to toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children benefit from learning another language as the childminder and her family will often speak to them in Bengali as well as in English. However, children are not given any opportunity to learn about other cultures as the childminder does not provide resources which reflect diversity. Although children behave well, the childminder is unable to manage a wide range of children's behaviour in a way which promotes their welfare or development. For example, if children behave in an unacceptable way, they are told they will not be spoken to and are not given reasons as to why a particular behaviour is perceived as being unacceptable. The childminder and parents have a good relationship and children are treated very much as part of the childminder's family. Information about the child's day is passed onto the parents verbally on a daily basis.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The outcomes for children are inadequate as a result of the childminder's insecure knowledge and understanding of what constitutes good quality care and also because of the failure to comply with the National Standards and regulations. The childminder has failed to inform Ofsted of changes to the household members therefore putting children at risk as these adults have not been vetted. The childminder's understanding of the importance of keeping relevant records relating to the children is poor. As a result of this, children's safety and their well-being is compromised and overall, is limiting their potential to develop. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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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

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Improvements since the last inspection

Two recommendations relating to resources were set at the last inspection in January 2005. A recommendation to provide a range of toys and resources to help children to make good progress in all areas of their development and to promote positive images of culture, ethnicity, gender and disability were made. Neither of these recommendations have been met and remain an issue during this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, one concern was raised with Ofsted on the18th March 2005 with regard to the suitability of a household member. Concerns were raised under: National Standard 1 - the alleged failure to ensure the suitability of household members in the company of childminding. A visit was undertaken but no actions were raised as a result of this visit. No evidence was found that the National Standards had been breached . The provider 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 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: • obtain written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and before administering medication to children; keep a record of all medication administered • reduce the risk of infection by following good hygiene practices and through the safe storage of food • improve knowledge and understanding of the developmental needs of children and provide a suitable range of activities using an approach in line with the Birth to three matters framework • assess the risks to children in relation to the ranch style stairs banister and

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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 take action to minimise these; provide a fire evacuation procedure • provide a suitable range of toys and equipment which promotes diversity • develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues • maintain a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of relevant matters, in this case, details of the changes to the household members. 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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