Childminder in Wigan

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 322673 Inspection date 13 January 2006 Inspector Ann, Theresa Flynn

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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 - enforcement action. 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 for 10 years. She lives with her two teenage children in a semi-detached property in Wigan, the family have one dog. The children have access to the whole of the ground floor and to the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. Presently there are five children on roll, three of whom are under 5 years of age.

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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 inadequate. Children's health is compromised because the childminder does not follow appropriate health and hygiene procedures. For example, young children are not encouraged to wash their hands following toileting procedures, which place children's health at risk. Children are not made aware of good hygiene procedures because the childminder's own awareness about good health and hygiene practices is limited. Opportunities for children to access fresh air and to exercise are provided. The children regularly walk to school, they visit the park and parent and toddler groups, thereby providing opportunities to exercise and thus helping children to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Children are not always made welcome on arrival due to the actions of the childminder's dog. For example, children are upset when their possessions are snatched away by the dog which prevents their arrival at the setting from being

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Helping children to be healthy

enjoyable. Children’s thirst is quenched by frequent access to drinks. However, children do not access drinks themselves, thereby inhibiting the development of children's personal independence. All meals are provided by parents and therefore parents ensure children's dietary requirements are met.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. There is a limited range of age appropriate resources available and therefore children's development is hindered. Children lack stimulation, challenge and interest and are unable to access resources for themselves which restricts their personal independence. Children's safety is compromised by various safety issues within the home. Hazards include, children's access to unlocked kitchen cupboards which house hazardous substances, low-level electrical sockets are not protected and in the bathroom toilet cleaner is stored on the floor, therefore accessible to children. The childminder fails to adequately risk access the premises and is therefore ineffective in keeping children safe. Children's welfare is protected because the childminder has a basic knowledge of child protection. She understands the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about the welfare of children. She has a copy of the booklet 'what to do if' from which

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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 inadequate. Experiences away from the home including visits to the park, to school and to parent and toddler groups provide children with variety and with access to fresh air and exercise. Children play cooperatively together entertaining themselves and instigating their own play. However, children have access to a limited range of resources. For example, a small box of construction materials and some foam letter squares occupied children for a limited period only. The activities which are provided fail to capture children's imagination. As a result children become bored, frustrated and loose interest quickly. Children's all round development is restricted due to the narrow range of activities available. The childminder's understanding of child development and age appropriate activities

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

which promote children's learning is limited. The childminder's lack of understanding restricts children’s progress, because insufficient attention is given to what children need to learn in order to help them develop. Children have few fun activities, therefore inhibiting their progress and development through play. The comments of one child who stated 'I have nothing to do' confirmed the lack of stimulation and interest provided for the children. The range of age appropriate resources and activities is insufficient and children therefore have limited choice. They do not have free access to a suitable range of resources and have to rely on the childminder to 'get out' the resources with which they want to play, thus hindering the development of their confidence and independence. The setting is ineffective in helping children to enjoy and achieve.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children are provided with insufficient opportunities and resources to learn and develop awareness of the world around them. The childminder has limited knowledge of equal opportunities, being unable to demonstrate how she raises children's awareness, or show adequate resources which reflect diversity. Children are not therefore developing awareness of their own needs and those of others. Children’s behaviour deteriorates and becomes disruptive as a result of poor stimulation and inappropriate challenge. The childminder does not promote good behaviour in children because she fails to use appropriate praise and encouragement, therefore hindering the development of children's confidence and self esteem. Parents are provided with basic information about daily activities in which children have been involved at the end of each day, by entering into daily discussions with the childminder. Information sharing helps parents and the childminder to work in

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Helping children make a positive contribution

partnership for the benefit of children.

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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

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom care is provided. Children's care and learning is inadequate due to the childminder's lack of commitment to develop the service she provides to children. The care provided is of poor quality because children do not engage in purposeful and challenging activities at the childminder's home, which leads to insufficient opportunities to help children to develop. Not all sampled documents are maintained in line with National Standards and are therefore ineffective in keeping children safe.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Following the last inspection there were six actions raised, four relating to safety and one relating to documentation and resources. The childminder has only attended to two issues of safety and due to her lack of action in relation to the two further actions concerning safety, continues to fail to keep children safe. She has only partly attended to the issue concerning documentation and continues to fail to record attendance times for all minded children. She has also failed to develop her resources to cater for children's all round needs. Children's care has therefore only very slightly improved and still remains poor, due to the ineffective action taken regarding the actions raised following the last inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. 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 - enforcement action. 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

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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The quality and standards of the care

Ofsted is taking enforcement action to safeguard the welfare of children.

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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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