Childminder in LancashireOfsted inspection, 16 May 2005

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY239859 Inspection date 16 May 2005 Inspector Denise Sixsmith

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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 2003. She lives with her two sons, one aged eight years and the other is an adult. They live in a house in the residential area of Penwortham close to a primary school and local amenities. The whole of the downstairs of the premises is used for childminding. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding seven children under eight years of age of which six are under five years of age. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder

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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 also provides after school care for two older children. The family have a pet dog who spends most of the day upstairs. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has worked for 10 years as a parent helper within a school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children stay healthy because the childminder follows satisfactory health practices and good hygiene practices. They are cared for in a clean and tidy home where they learn about personal hygiene as part of their daily routine. Children are gaining good hygiene practices through access to individual toilet bags, hanging on pegs in the bathroom. However, the children's welfare is compromised by the lack of written parental permission for the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment. Children are learning to recognise and attend to their bodily needs as they have ready access to drinks in their cups in the playroom. Their specific dietary requirements are met as the childminder consults with the parents, records and adheres to requests. Children are learning to clean their teeth after their meals as they all have their individual toothbrushes. They copy the childminders good practice

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Helping children to be healthy

as they use wipes to clean the baby dolls face and clean the chairs and table in their home play. Children are encouraged to develop their physical skills as there is designated space in the conservatory for small sit and ride toys and a slide. They move confidently between the activities in the three rooms available for their play. Children settle to sleep well as their individual needs and routines are adhered to by the childminder.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are safe indoors due to the childminder's good attention to ensuring safety equipment is in place. However, older children's safety is compromised on their journey from school as it lacks adequate supervision. Children are unable to play in the garden safely due to recent storm damage to the fence consequently, it is out of bounds until it is made safe. Children confidently move around the safe spacious well set out rooms. They enjoy their play with safe good quality toys. Children have easy, safe access to the toys as they are stored on low level units and shelves. They are learning to use small tools and cutters safely in their supervised play with the dough. Children take care to secure dolly in the cradle with the safety harness to make sure she is safe.

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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 Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of her role in protecting children from abuse and the action to be undertaken if concerns arise.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are progressing well in their all round development due to the well planned environment and activities provided by the childminder. They are growing in confidence as they explore the wide variety of toys provided and concentrate on making sounds with the musical toys. Children are developing their independence very well as they readily select toys and books from the shelves and units. They laugh with delight as they squash different coloured play dough through model heads to make the hair grow long. Scissors are used safely, under the supervision of the childminder, to cut and remove the dough hair. Children spontaneously sing songs they have learnt as they sit and play confidently at the table. Children are making positive relationships as they snuggle comfortably with the childminder and baby on the settee to enjoy a story. The baby joins in vocally as the childminder ensures that he is involved in the play. Children are developing their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

social skills very well as they cooperate with each other and involve the baby as they actively volunteer to pick up the babies dropped toys.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing a strong sense of belonging as they are treated with equal concern by the childminder. They are encouraged to make choices and take decisions because the childminder appropriately prompts discussion and encourages thought. Children are learning to care for others through the home role play as they feed and wash the dolls and readily help to tidy up. Children are developing an understanding of the wider world through their access to a large variety of books some of which reflect diversity. The childminder has a positive approach to promoting equality of opportunity reflected through her approach. She is receptive to providing care for children with special needs but has no experience of provided this service. Children feel valued as they see their artwork displayed around the room. Their self esteem is fostered well by the childminder who provides praise and positive support,

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Helping children make a positive contribution

consequently their behaviour is good. Children cooperate and play well together, sharing toys and equipment in the calm atmosphere created by the childminder. Children's daily routines are shared verbally between the childminder and parents with a friendly interaction being observed. The parent expressed her delight about the progress her child had made both in developed confidence and skills since being

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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 in the childminders care. However, a written agreement with parents is not in place and the expectation of both parties as to the care of the children is not formalised as required.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. Children have access to a substantial amount of space and a wide variety of toys and equipment. This means that they are confident to initiate their own play and extend their learning. However the care provided is compromised as the childminder is in breach of her registration certificate due to maximum numbers being exceeded. Children's welfare is also compromised by the childminders lack of first aid training. Policies and emergency evacuation procedures are in place and initially shared with parents to provide them with introductory information. Children's welfare and quality of care is compromised because written agreements with parents to formulise a clear understanding of their care are not in place. Overall the provision does not meet the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection, the childminder has taken steps to satisfactorily improve the safety for the children. She has dismantled the summer house thus removing the children's access to unprotected glass. The social services child protection telephone number has been obtained and recorded for ease of access. Attendance at an appropriate first aid course has not been achieved and has consequently been raised as an action at this inspection.

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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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 To improve the quality and standards of care, the registered person must take the following actions: • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • conduct a risk assessment on the collection of children from school identifying action(s) to be taken to minimize identified risks • develop and implement an action plan that sets out how adult child ratios will be achieved and maintained 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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