Childminder in Haringey

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY306026 Inspection date 18 January 2006 Inspector Carolyn Mary Hasler

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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 2005. She lives with her partner and child of 1 year in Edmonton, part of the London borough of Enfield. They live in a 1 bedroom ground floor flat. The whole of the childminder's home is used to childminding. The childminder works with an assistant who takes and collects children from nursery. The childminder visits the local parks and library with children. The childminder currently has 1 child on roll.

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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 are cared for in a well-organised and clean home. The childminders daily routines prevent the spread of infection. For example surfaces are kept clean and young children's care needs such as nose wiping are given attention promptly. Children begin to learn the importance of good personal hygiene because the childminder reminds them to wash their hands after going to the toilet, although this is not a consistent practice. For example they do not learn the importance of washing hands at other times such as before sitting down to eat. Young children are given opportunities to develop their health through regular exercise and fresh air, for example they walk to and from the park where they play on climbing apparatus and have opportunities to run around in large spaces and visit other local childminders. Children's diet is not always sufficiently balanced; meals consist mainly of

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Young children enjoy playing and learning in an environment which is generally well-organised and spacious and where they have free access to most areas of the premises. Children are given choices from a small range of resources, which have been well maintained and are freely available, however resources do not meet the needs of all children and they lack variety and challenge, for example only four toys were available and two cardboard books; toys and books were suitable for babies only. Children begin to learn about how to keep themselves safe as the childminder gives clear explanations about road safety and ensures that children hold tightly to the buggy. Although children are sufficiently secure and confident in the environment, the childminder fails to take steps to reduce hazards on the premises and does not sufficiently supervise children's movements, this compromises children's safety.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has some of the required procedures and documentation in place to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded, in spite of this it is not sufficiently promoted. For example the childminder has completed a first aid course. However the childminder has a weak understanding of child protection issues, she is not confident in how to proceed if she has any concerns about a child in her care. This compromises the children's safety.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is inadequate. Children have limited opportunities to be stimulated and challenged through activities, this is because play resources are limited and only meet the needs of much younger children. Resources do not specifically cater for more able children, for example push

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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 along baby trolleys and soft toys do not pose a challenge for a child of three. Children spend much of their time in the setting aimlessly moving around the room showing little interest in toys. Children are given little guidance and support and are often left to their own devices. For example children are left in rooms unsupervised. The childminder fails to engage children in conversation, songs or rhymes. Children with special needs are particularly disadvantaged. This limits their potential to develop. The childminder acknowledges that this is an area for development.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children are broadly content while in the childminder's home, developing independence through tasks such as feeding themselves and using the toilet. Children know and comply with care routines; they were well-behaved and begin to understand others' feelings. Children begin to learn about the world around them through outings to the shops and local parks. Children lacked play opportunities which would help them to investigate similarities and differences between themselves and others. The care needs of children with special needs is not effectively supported. For example, information about their health history and medical support has not been collected and children's individual developmental needs are not always promoted. This may mean that children cannot reach their full potential. The childminder generally has a secure relationship with parents. Information sharing can be inconsistent as the childminder has few opportunities to talk to the parent

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Helping children make a positive contribution

directly, records are not always completed.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The organisation of care does not meet the National Standards for childminding and children's individual needs are not fully met. This compromises children's well-being and limits their potential. The childminder finds it difficult to meet the specific special needs of children and they wander around aimlessly and appear bored. Children lack confidence to make demands on the childminder and are generally quiet. This is because the childminder's understanding of the National Standards is incomplete, however the childminder demonstrated a willingness to learn and improve her practice. Although the childminder has business arrangements with parents and there are systems in place for keeping records, they have not always been completed or kept up-to-date and not all the eventualities such as how to support children's individual needs have been discussed in detail. Permissions have not been sought from

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Organisation

parents. This means that the needs of the range of the children who attend are not met.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 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: • take preventative action to ensure that children cannot access hazardous substances, or dangerous tools and ensure that children are appropriately supervised at all times. • obtain and become familiar with the Area Child Protection Committee's Procedures, develop knowledge and understanding of child protection issues. • develop knowledge and understanding of child development, provide activities to stimulate and challenge children which also promotes speech and language development. • take action to ensure that children's individual special needs are met. • take action to ensure that records are kept up-to-date and shared with parents; ensure that relevant permissions are sought from parents. 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:

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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 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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