Childminder in Herefordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY216500 Inspection date 13 February 2006 Inspector Glenda Sinclair

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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?

This childminder has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and 5 children aged 20, 18, 10, 8 and 6-years-old. They live in a detached house in a quiet cul-de-sac situated in the village of Cam approximately 2 miles from Dursley in Gloucestershire. There are local shops, playing field and school within walking distance. The ground floor area of the house is mostly used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family own a dog but he has no access to minded 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 The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is registered to care for six children under the age of eight and currently has seven part-time children on her books.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children learn about personal hygiene as they are encouraged to wipe their hands and faces after eating. The childminder provides a good role model as she uses gloves to change nappies and provides separate towels for children to minimise the risk of infection spreading. The childminder has a written policy on health and she makes parents aware of the need to keep their children at home for anything other than minor coughs and colds. The family's dog is cared for appropriately and her house and equipment are scrupulously clean and pose no health risk to children. The childminder shows great warmth to babies and toddlers which gives them a sense of emotional well-being and security. In general, parents provide their children with packed lunches which are stored appropriately to maintain freshness. However, the childminder has a sound knowledge of nutrition and provides healthy snacks for the children in her care. She

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Helping children to be healthy

prefers to offer water to drink but, rather than risk a child becoming dehydrated, she is prepared to offer diluted fruit juice as an alternative. Drinks are readily available in case a child feels unable to ask for one.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. The house and garden are secure and children are unable to leave them unsupervised. However, the conditions of the childminder's registration specifically rule out use of the garden and she has not contacted Ofsted to get this changed before allowing children to use it. This poses a possible risk to the safety of children. Her toys and equipment are clean and in a very good state of repair. They are safe, age appropriate and fit for their purpose. The childminder makes sensible use of safety gates to prevent children entering areas of her property unsupervised. For example, double safety gates prevent the dog leaving the kitchen or children getting in. The childminder has suitable plans to evacuate her house in an emergency situation. She uses a password system to prevent unauthorised adults collecting children but her own son has not obtained appropriate clearance to be in the house with minded children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has a sound knowledge of child protection issues and the procedure to follow if she has concerns about an individual child.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their play and learn through a variety of activities from cookery to sand and water play. In the winter, they make fat balls and put seed out to attract birds to the garden. The childminder provides binoculars for the children to watch the birds and they use appropriate reference books to look up the names of the birds they see. She plays well with very young children talking, praising, stimulating and cuddling children, as necessary. Children, who are not yet mobile, are moved frequently to different areas and activities so that there is always something new to stimulate their interest. Most days, children go out for a walk with the childminder to get some fresh air and exercise. This also turns into a learning experience as children look for birds and animals. They play football in the garden and sometimes they have 'egg and spoon' races. Children develop their creative interests with various art activities such as

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

collage and finger painting as well as dressing-up and singing and dancing.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. The childminder responds well to the needs of individual children offering comfort or stimulation, as required. She provides a range of resources which encourage children to view difference in a positive way. She has some experience of children with special needs and is prepared to take such a child as long as support and guidance is available. Children behave well. The childminder uses praise naturally to encourage and reward good behaviour. She feels poor behaviour is best dealt with by not giving it too much attention. She has few rules but insists on children being kind to each other. She has a good partnership with parents. They give her a rough written timetable of their child's home routine and she tries to work as closely to this as possible. The childminder and parents share a daily diary to keep each other informed and she encourages them to sit and talk, when they have the time. Parents have given her

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder organises her time, home and resources well to care for children. However, her first-aid qualification expired in spring 2005. She had to miss one course through family circumstances but has failed to book another until spring 2006. This failure poses a risk to sick or injured children. The childminder also failed to complete the application to the Criminal Records Bureau for her 17-year-old son despite having gone through the process previously with an older daughter. This also puts children at risk. The childminder failed to inform Ofsted of significant changes.

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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 For example, she did not ask for a variation to her conditions so that she could use her garden for children's play. Her register is up-to-date and recording the actual times of children's arrival and departure. Written contracts are in place and the childminder has all the necessary emergency and contact numbers. She has not obtained written parental permission to seek emergency advice or treatment. The childminder is not meeting the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge of equal opportunities and provide more resources. She has made a good start with this and children now have access to a range of resources which promote positive images of difference. She was also asked to establish written agreements with parents that sets out the expectations of both parties as to the care of the child, activities and business arrangements. Proper contracts are in place and provide the necessary information to protect children. She was asked to request written parental permission to seek emergency advice or treatment. The childminder has failed to do this and there is some risk that children would not receive the appropriate medical help in an emergency. The childminder was also asked to complete her introduction to childminding practice course. She has now completed the required training.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report since the last inspection. 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

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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 following actions: • complete an appropriate first aid course that includes training in first aid for infants and young children • ensure that all adults in the household have been cleared as suitable • ensure that Ofsted is informed of any significant changes or events including the use of the garden 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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