Setting

Inspection report for early years provision

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EY104287 Unique Reference Number 10 May 2006 Inspection date Lisa Patterson Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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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

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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 for over five years and lives in a semi detached house to the north of Lancaster, nearby amenities include, parks and shops. She lives with her partner and two children aged 5 and 3 years and her partner's children, aged 11 and 9 who are occasionally present. Minded children have access to the lounge/dining room. Bathroom facilities are on the first floor and two of the upstairs bedrooms are used for sleeping purposes only. There is an enclosed outdoor area to the rear of the property. Registration is for a maximum of four children aged up to 8 years and there are currently three children on roll. Family pets include a rabbit.

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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 are not sufficiently protected from infection and are not taken care of if they have an accident because the childminder does not follow current and appropriate environmental health and hygiene guidelines, policies and procedures. Practices regarding the cleaning of baby equipment, including dummies and hand washing procedures do not minimise the risk of cross contamination or accident, for example, young children access an upstairs toilet unaided. Accidents and existing injuries have not been recorded, for example, an accident which happened during the inspection. The childminder's first aid qualification is due for renewal in June.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children rest and sleep according to their needs and enjoy regular physical activity and fresh air which promotes the development of physical strength and skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's health and dietary needs are met because the childminder uses information given by parents at the start of the placement. Children receive fresh fruit and vegetables on a daily basis and meals, on the whole, are nutritious. Children are given regular drinks and babies are fed whilst being held and in accordance with the wishes of the parents.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children are cared for in a welcoming environment. The childminder ensures premises and equipment are safe and well maintained, in the main, and children do not have access to areas deemed unsafe, for example, the kitchen and garage. This minimises their risk from harm. The premises are not, however, secured and therefore do not prevent unknown persons entering or children leaving unsupervised.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children enjoy regular outings and are kept safe because the childminder uses appropriate restraints both in the car and when walking and ensures they are supervised at all times. Appropriate car insurance is not available. Children are not safeguarded because the childminder has a limited understanding of child protection issues and how these are carried out in practice. There is a short written policy document containing the relevant contact details.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are happy and settled in the childminder's home. They can self-select from a sufficient range of toys arranged in easily accessible storage and move freely from the indoors to the outside area, this promotes their independence. They receive praise and encouragement from the childminder which increases their self-esteem. Children have little or no access to natural resources through which they can develop their imagination and explore using all their senses and the childminder does not use the 'Birth to three matters' framework when deciding which activities to offer to the children.

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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 Children receive adequate individual attention from the childminder which promotes their well-being and ensures their individual needs are met, however a lack of planning ahead means that there is a lack of direction to the play. Older children are given individual attention when the baby is sleeping. Interactions with all children are satisfactory and the childminder expresses an interest in what they do and say.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is inadequate. Children are included because the childminder gains information about their individual requirements prior to them starting, both verbally and in writing. There is a daily exchange of information with parents which increases the children's sense of belonging. Children do not, however, benefit from activities and resources which help them to value diversity and the childminder lacked understanding of this area.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are given sufficient attention and a choice of activities which are stored to allow independent access. They show an understanding of the house rules which are shared with parents. Children receive praise and encouragement which promotes good behaviour and increases self- esteem.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's needs are met because the childminder works with parents to gain sufficient prior knowledge of the child's background. They receive verbal feedback on a daily basis. Written records, however, are not always completed sufficiently to ensure parents receive accurate information. The childminder does not have a complaints record and is unaware of the current complaints procedure.

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Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The play spaces are organised to allow ease of access to toys and resources and the outside area. Policies have been produced and are shared with parents which keeps them informed of the requirements of both parties though these are not always put into practice. There are weaknesses in this area. The childminder fails to notify the regulatory body of any relevant changes and is acting in breach of her current conditions of registration. Regulatory required documentation is not always completed appropriately or available for inspection, for example, registers of attendance and accident and medication records.

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Organisation

Overall the provision does not meet the needs of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

During the last inspection the childminder was given actions and recommendations. Some have been completed appropriately, for example, to complete appropriate first aid training, to fit smoke detectors to every level of the house, to make safe the rear garden and to secure low level kitchen cupboards. This ensures risks have been minimised. Some require further attention and have been highlighted as actions during this inspection, for example, to notify Ofsted of any changes to the household, to provide appropriate car insurance, to develop a knowledge

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Improvements since the last inspection

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 understanding of child protection and equal opportunities issues and to have available at all times a selection of activities and resources which promote an awareness of diversity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Complaints 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 following actions: • notify Ofsted of any changes to the household • Review hygiene practices regarding the cleaning of baby equipment and young children accessing the toilet, to minimise the risk of cross contamination • increase awareness of equal opps issues and ensure a greater selection of toys and activities which promote an awareness of diversity are readily available to children at all times • make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint and have available a method for recording such complaints • develop an increased understanding and knowledge about child protection issues and the procedure to follow should there be any suspicions of abuse • ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are completed in full, readily accessible and available for inspection at all times, for example, accident and medication

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The quality and standards of the care

records, car insurance documents and attendance registers. 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

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) 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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