Childminder in Worcestershire

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 205025 Inspection date 21/10/2008 Inspector Valerie Fane

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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 was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and children aged 17 and 10 in a semi-detached house in the St John's area of Worcester. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. Accessibility to the premises is up one step. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family have two cats, two rabbits and two hamsters.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children settle well at the childminder's house and quickly develop a good relationship with her. She has used the self-evaluation document to identify her areas of strength and she is aware of her general weakness in documentation. However, she has not ensured that she is familiar with the welfare requirements of the EYFS. As a result children are not fully safeguarded because a number of these requirements are not met. Children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Her practice is inclusive because she is aware of children's individual learning and welfare needs.

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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?

 ensure that a maximum of six children under the age of eight are cared for at any one time (also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 22/10/2008  ensure that the premises are secure at all times when minded children are present 22/10/2008  request written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future 04/11/2008  ensure that written information is in place for all children about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child. 04/11/2008 To improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  improve opportunities for children to develop their awareness of diversity  improve the organisation of the setting to include effective procedures to evaluate the provision and identify areas for improvement

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further?

 develop the opportunities for partnership working where children receive care and education in more than one setting.

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provision

The childminder has not carried out a detailed self-evaluation of her practice to include an accurate identification of her areas for improvement or a thorough check that she is meeting the welfare requirements of the EYFS. As a result children’s welfare is compromised. The childminder does not consistently ensure that she does not exceed the maximum permitted number of minded children as stated on her registration certificate. In addition her documentation does not include written information about who has legal contact with each child and who has parental responsibility for the child. She has responded well to the recommendation made at the last inspection regarding practises of the emergency escape plan. She has also carried out a risk assessment of the premises and keeps a written record of safety checks.

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provision

Children benefit from continuity of care between their parents and the childminder because she works in close partnership with them. Parents visit her with their child and she finds out about their daily routines and offers them a settling-in period before the contract begins. Children are able to continue their learning at home because the childminder talks to parents each day about what their children have been doing with her. This means that parents are well informed about their children's welfare, achievements and progress. However, children who also attend other EYFS provision do not benefit from continuity between the settings because the childminder does not work in partnership with other providers such as the local primary school.

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provision

Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. She has attended recent training on this subject so she is aware of the possible symptoms of child abuse and the procedures to follow if she was to have concerns about a child in her care. She keeps a record of any existing injuries sustained by children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare and safety are compromised because the childminder does not consistently ensure that her front door is kept locked when minding so that no one can gain access to the premises unnoticed. She also does not request written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. In other respects children's welfare is supported. All other safety requirements are met. Children understand and adopt good hygiene practices such as washing their hands after stroking the cats. Babies are cared for according This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to the wishes of their parents with regard to feeds and sleeping arrangements. Older children improve their knowledge of healthy eating because the childminder uses this as a topic. They talk about which foods are healthy and which are not and learn to make choices at snack time when they are encouraged to try new types of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to attend relevant courses to support her knowledge of the learning and development requirements. Children of different ages enjoy playing with a varied range of toys at the childminder's house. The childminder observes children and is aware of their particular learning needs. She supports babies' desires to explore by providing them with interesting treasure baskets so that they can explore different textures. They extend their learning through messy play with media such as paint or jelly. The childminder supports babies' physical development by providing equipment such as baby walkers once babies are standing confidently. Children's individual needs are met well. For example, children attending the childminder's house after school can choose whether to relax in front of the television because they are very tired or to join in activities. Older children develop good social skills because they take part in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

activities such as making a friendship tree. Children spend time identifying things they have done to help each other such as holding a younger child's hand when walking to school and the childminder writes them on the tree. This helps children to respect each other and think about others' needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have limited opportunities to develop their awareness of diversity. The play with a few toys that support their understanding such as jigsaws with pictures of different nationalities and some books but they do not take part in any activities that extend their understanding of the wider world and different cultures. 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

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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Inadequate

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Inadequate

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Satisfactory How well are children helped to be healthy? Satisfactory How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Satisfactory How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Satisfactory

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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 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. 04/11/2008 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 the last inspection.

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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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