Ledster,Emma

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY358625 Inspection date 03/03/2009 Inspector Sarah Fletcher

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2007. She lives with her partner, two adult children and two children, aged 14 months and 15 years, in Bletchley, close to Milton Keynes. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group on various days, on a part-time basis. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent/toddler group. The family currently has no pets.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is inadequate. The childminder has insufficient knowledge and understanding of meeting all children's needs effectively, although she offers appropriate levels of support for the age groups she cares for, with an awareness of treating all children equally. The childminder promotes children's welfare mostly appropriately, but she has inadequate knowledge and understanding of supporting their learning and development needs. She is unclear of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is therefore not able to implement it or apply systems to promote children's progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has taken some steps towards improving her practice and is beginning to seek support and guidance for continuous improvement.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the early years provision requires significant improvement. The registered person is given a Notice to Improve that sets out actions to be carried out.

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further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

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further?

 deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to help children progress effectively towards the early learning goals across all areas of learning (Educational programmes) 27/03/2009  develop and implement an effective system to observe and assess children's progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage towards the early learning goals (Assessment arrangements) 27/03/2009  obtain parental permission for the childminder to administer medicines to children (Promoting good health) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 06/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve the system for risk assessment to ensure children are safe at all times indoors and outside  develop the range of resources to help children learn about other cultures and differing abilities

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provision

Children are safeguarded from unvetted adults and the childminder's home appears clean, well maintained and child-friendly. She has a sound knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children in her care and has notified parents of her role and responsibilities towards protecting children effectively. The childminder assesses her practice towards improvement of the provision through self- evaluation. She has taken steps towards making basic risk assessments of her home and garden, although her current system is not up to date in addressing potential hazards effectively indoors and outside.

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provision

Policies and procedures are detailed and shared with parents at induction. Most records and parental permissions for safeguarding children are suitably maintained, although the childminder has not obtained permission to administer medicines to children. The childminder is keen to develop open and approachable relationships with parents, helping to identify children’s individual uniqueness effectively. Verbal discussions and daily diaries inform parents of their child’s activities and individual care on a daily basis. However, as the childminder has not kept herself sufficiently up to date with current practices and requirements of the EYFS, this directly affects the children attending in the early years age group and the quality of the provision overall.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are beginning to settle into the childminder's home where she provides a wide range of toys, resources and equipment. They move around the childminder's family home safely, as she organises her space well to allow free movement. Some activities are provided for children, such as arts and crafts, junk modelling or reading stories, but these are not necessarily based on individual children’s interests and are not planned to meet children's individual development. Although the childminder provides some resources to help children learn about the wider world, she has yet to include a range of positive images that encourage children to learn about other cultures and people with differing abilities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to explain to children about keeping themselves safe, as she is starting to discuss road safety with them, using practical demonstrations when out walking in the locality. Children are beginning to learn simple hygiene rules, such as hand washing before snacks and meals and after messy play. The childminder is a good role model, following clear nappy changing routines to prevent the risk of cross-infection and an effective policy for children’s good health. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's overall learning and development is restricted by the childminder's limited knowledge of delivering the EYFS and her lack of systems to support any observations, assessment or planning of children’s progress towards the early learning goals. Consequently, most aspects and areas of learning are not effectively promoted for children in the early years age group. However, children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

are making some progress in their own development and receive the childminder’s positive praise for their achievements. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 4 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report 06/03/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years section of the report 06/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration that required Ofsted to take any action.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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