Childminder in Bexley

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY307322 Inspection date 25 April 2006 Inspector Christine Lynne Hodge

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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 September 2005. She lives with her husband, grown up daughter and three other children aged 14, 12 and 10 years in a three bedroomed house in Erith in the Borough of Bexley. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes . Children also have access to the first floor bathroom and bedroom for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of 4 children under 8 years at

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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 any one time. She is currently minding 3 children under 5 years all of whom are part time. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a clean home where the childminder has adequate procedures in place to promote their health and hygiene. For example, children are encouraged to wash their hands after going to the toilet, however, the towel is kept at the bottom of the stairs so is not readily accessible for hand drying. Soiled nappies are disposed of hygienically in a nappy dispenser and the wooden floors are mopped daily so that children can crawl around and play in a clean environment. Children who are unwell are required to stay at home in order to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder's up to date first aid training ensures that children are cared for appropriately in the event of accidents, however, she does not have written consent from parents for seeking emergency medical advice/treatment. Children enjoy regular trips to the park where they benefit from running around in the

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Helping children to be healthy

fresh air and using the large play equipment to promote their physical development. In the summer children also have access to a trampoline and slide in the garden. Younger children have space indoors to crawl around and pull themselves up on the furniture to help develop their large motor skills. Children can use pens, pencils and building bricks to promote their fine motor skills. Although children's food is currently provided by the parents, the childminder ensures that she complies with their wishes. If she is required to supply meals for children she will provide them with a healthy balanced diet.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is inadequate. Children's safety is compromised as the childminder does not have all necessary safety precautions in place to protect them from harm. For example, babies and younger children have access to the kitchen when the childminder is preparing hot food. There is also no stair gate in place to prevent children's access to the stairs and the fire blanket is not fixed to the wall in the kitchen. The garden is full of weeds and is not suitable at the current time for use by young children. The childminder has very little in the way of her own equipment except for a travel cot which is in good condition. All other equipment has been loaned by the parents of the minded children. There is a limited range of play resources which are suitable for the ages of the children being minded. Children are appropriately protected by the childminder's sound knowledge of 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 protection and the vetting of all household members.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is satisfactory. Children can choose what they want to play with from a small selection of play resources which include a play cooker with pots and pans, a construction activity, an educational play computer, drawing materials, a few books, soft toys and some baby musical and pop up toys. Children are happy and confident in the care of the childminder. They enjoy lots of interaction with her as she sits with them and encourages them to play with the toys and take part in drawing activities. The childminder talks to children about different shapes and uses the toys to help children learn their colours. Babies happily crawl around the childminder's home and pull themselves up on the furniture. They enjoy lots of cuddles with the childminder who sits on the floor and joins in their play. The childminder is not familiar with the Birth to three matters framework. Children benefit from regular outings to the library, local park and toddler groups.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. All children and families are welcomed into the childminder's home regardless of religion, culture, race or disability. The childminder ensures that she is able to care for children's individual needs through talking to parents to find out about their routines, likes, dislikes allergies and special requirements. She has applied to go on a sign language course and would like to attend other training courses on special needs. Children do not have any play resources to help them learn about diversity and disability. Children respond well to the childminder's positive approach to managing behaviour. They enjoy the consistent praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder as they play nicely together, sharing and taking turns to use the pretend cooker and to build with the connect bricks. Children are polite and are well behaved. Positive relationships with parents contribute to children's care and well being. Lots of

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Helping children make a positive contribution

discussion when children are collected ensures that parents are kept up to date and informed about events, activities and children's eating habits throughout the day. Contracts and child record forms are completed with parents although this has still to be done with a new parent who's child started last week. The childminder has not received the information regarding the need to keep a record of complaints so does not currently have a complaints log.

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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. Although the childminder has attended an Introduction to Childminding Practice course and several other workshops and short courses she is unaware of the requirement to maintain certain records and documentation. The lack of attendance register and consent from parents to seek emergency medical advice has an impact on the well-being and safety of the children. Children receive lots of adult support. The childminder's home is sufficiently organised so that children can move around freely and choose what they want to play with from a small selection of toys. Safety precautions such as safety gates and the fire blanket are not in place which compromises children's safety. The childminder does not meet the needs of the range of children for whom she provides.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaint 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: • ensure that safety precautions are in place to prevent children's access to the kitchen and stairs and fix the fire blanket to a suitable position in the kitchen

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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 • request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment • keep a daily record of the children's attendance which includes the times of arrival and departure • increase play resources and activities in line with the Birth to three matters framework • ensure that the garden is cleared of weeds and is suitable for use by minded children • devise a system for recording complaints made by parents 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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