Sharifa Akhter

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique Reference Number EY307452 Inspection date 05 May 2006 Inspector Ann Bamford

p.1

Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

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.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder offers care from her home in the Bastwell area of Blackburn. The home is close to local amenities including shops and bus routes. The childminder has been registered since 2005. She is a member of the National Association of Childminders. Children have use of the lounge and dining room with access to a first floor toilet. Children are taken to a local park to play as there is no access to the rear garden.

p.2

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 Care is available from 08.00 until 18.00 each weekday, with the exception of bank holidays. The childminder lives with her husband and two children. At the time of inspection there was one child on roll.

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is inadequate. Children's continued good health is impaired as the childminder does not hold any information on children's doctors or health needs. In addition she has not sought parental consent for any emergency treatment in respect of children present at the time of inspection. This fails to protect children in the event of a medical emergency. Children stay generally healthy as the childminder uses knowledge gained from training, such as a food hygiene course when preparing food for children. The childminder encourages good hygiene routines and assists children with tasks, such as cleaning and laying the eating area competently. Children are developing skills in caring for their own health as they wipe and set mats to eat from with increasing independence. Children are nourished effectively. The childminder holds knowledge of what is included in a healthy diet. She uses this together with verbal information from parents

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

to provide children with food which each child likes. Children are developing an awareness of healthy diet as they are encouraged to drink their healthy option drink before being allowed cordial. Children are able to rest and sleep according to their need as the childminder provides a balance of quiet and more energetic activities. The childminder provides children with regular opportunities to go out for walks. In addition the home is organised to allow children plenty of space to move around freely. Children are developing manoeuvring skills as they move around the room on a push along bike.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in an environment which is warm, clean and safe. Children are protected from injury as the childminder makes effective use of safety gates and padding for hot radiators or hard fire surrounds. Her discussion of the hazard, such as the fireplace, enhances children's awareness of their own safety as they walk around the area. Children use suitable equipment as the childminder holds knowledge of how to select toys and equipment with regard for safety and the developmental stage of the children who are being offered care. The childminder's use of this knowledge when laying toys out for children to select ensures that children can play safely. Children are developing an awareness of keeping themselves safe in the event of a fire or

p.3

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 intruder in the home as the childminder has a written plan which she practises with children. Children are protected as the childminder holds a secure knowledge of how to act in the event of an allegation about an adult or other household member. In addition, the childminder holds the local area child protection guidelines and is clear on who to contact in the event of a concern.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children are purposefully engaged in activity during their time spent in the setting. The childminder has a knowledge and understanding of child development. She has begun to use this to plan activities which develop children's skill and enjoyment. Children are able to select their own toys and equipment from a range available. The childminder plays alongside children offering them additional information, such as what colour the letter 'b' is. She assists children's development of concentration skills by asking children, for example, recall who has the next turn in the game. The childminder has begun to focus on what children can already do which means that children are starting to take the next steps in their learning. Children are developing the ability to communicate effectively as the childminder encourages them to be aware of the likes and needs of others. Children are starting

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

to play collaboratively as the childminder encourages older children to offer toys to those younger than themselves.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children are developing an awareness of the wider world as the childminder celebrates a wide variety of festivals with children In addition children play with toys and books which present positive images of race and gender. The childminder holds an adequate knowledge of special needs. She is clear how to gather information in order to asses how she could offer care to a child who had special needs. Children are developing responsible and considerate behaviour as a result of the childminder's encouragement of children to consider others needs. Children of mixed ages play harmoniously together as a result of the childminder's careful planning of equipment and her regular reminders to older children to share and take turns with toys to younger children. Children are polite and well behaved as a result of the specific praise they receive from the childminder for saying 'please' and 'thank you' to

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

each other. Children are generally cared for in line with parents' wishes. The childminder discusses areas of care with parents and generally offers care using information

p.4

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 gathered from parents to meet children's individual needs. However, the partnership with parents is impeded through the lack of a formal written agreement. There is a written complaints policy and record for parents which is available on request.

p.4

Organisation

The organisation is inadequate. The childminder has begun to organise her home and her time to care for children. However, she has not made full use of her knowledge to plan care for children. Children's well-being is adversely affected as the childminder does not fully and consistently complete the necessary documentation for the safe care of children. There are records in the setting but they are not fully kept and the childminder has a limited understanding of the purpose of keeping the records current and accurate. Additionally, the childminder has not fully informed Ofsted of changes in the family, this means that the certificate of registration is inaccurate. Although the childminder has begun to gather verbal information from parents on children's needs, there were no records on children available during the inspection. The childminder has yet to fully develop systems for regularly sharing these records

p.5

Organisation

with parents. The setting fails to meet the needs of all children who attend.

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report, the childminder is required to keep a record of complaints, which is made available to parents on request. This record may contain information on complaints other than those referred to Ofsted.

p.5

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.5

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.

p.5

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: • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • ensure that all records relating to childminding activities are readily accessible and available for inspection at all times • improve knowledge and understanding of the requirements set out in regulations and set in place a procedure to notify Ofsted of relevant matters for example changes to family These actions are set out in a notice of action to improve and must be completed by the date specified in the notice.

p.5

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

p.6

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

p.6