Childminder in Cambridgeshire

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 EY370858 Inspection date 06/11/2008 Inspector Heidi Falconer

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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 2008. She lives with her partner and their one child, aged two, in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding, with a bedroom, used for children requiring a sleep, upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The premises can be accessed easily by most users.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time and she is currently minding two children in the early years age group on a part-time basis. The childminder also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a judgement about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included at the end of the report. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups with minded children.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children’s welfare and their ability to learn and develop is not sufficiently promoted as the childminder has a limited understanding of requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The lack of a system of self-evaluation means that priorities for future development are not identified and acted on. Parents and carers are not effectively involved with the setting. Children are settled and happy in the childminder’s care.

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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?

 request parental written permission for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 28/11/2008  conduct a risk assessment and review it regularly, keeping a written record of when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment & equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 28/11/2008  demonstrate and implement a system to make systematic observations and assessments of children’s progress to identify learning priorities for each child 28/11/2008  improve knowledge and understanding of the early 28/11/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning goals  improve knowledge and understanding of the skills that children must be taught 28/11/2008

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provision

The leadership and management of the setting is ineffective. This is because the childminder does not have a sufficient knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This lack in knowledge prevents her from being able to effectively identify strengths and areas for improvement. However, the childminder is keen to make improvements and is currently receiving support from her development worker.

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provision

Most of the required records are in place. However, due to a lack of organisation these are not always implemented consistently for all children. As a consequence children's health and safety at the setting is compromised as the childminder fails to meet all specific legal requirements. The childminder has attended some training in child protection and is able to recognise signs and symptoms of actual or potential harm, and she knows how and when to act to safeguard children.

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provision

The childminder establishes friendly relationships with parents to ensure that children’s individual welfare needs are acknowledged and can be catered for. For example, settling-in visits are provided for all new children. This enables the childminder to find out about children’s home routines and likes and dislikes. The childminder is currently developing a range of written policies to provide parents with details about the provision that she provides. However, parents are not sufficiently involved in their children's learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s progress towards the early learning goals is limited because the childminder does not understand the learning and development requirements of the EYFS. For example, she is not familiar with the early learning goals and the six areas of learning. There is currently no system in place to make systematic observations and assessments to identify learning priorities for each child. This limits the childminder’s ability to plan relevant and motivating learning experiences which meet individual children's needs. The childminder shares children’s achievements with parents verbally. However, they are not involved in promoting children’s learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are able to initiate some play as the childminder has organised a number of resources in the lounge in clear plastic boxes. Resources are well maintained and developmentally suitable for the ages of the children attending. Children show an interest in books. This interest is promoted further by the childminder who responds by reading books and talking about the pictures with them. Children have some opportunities to be creative. When they attend toddler groups they take part in activities such as painting, using dough and playing in sand and water. This gives This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them opportunities to explore their own ideas.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's knowledge and understanding of the welfare requirements is inadequate. As a result, children’s health and safety is compromised. Although she takes positive steps to ensure that children learn to keep themselves healthy and safe her lack of knowledge means that specific legal requirements have not been met. For instance, written parental permissions to seek emergency medical treatment or advice have not been obtained for all children and risk assessments are not carried out. Additionally, although the childminder has fire control equipment in place she is not aware of its location, therefore it could not be used effectively in the event of a fire. 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? 4 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? 4

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 4 How well are children helped to be healthy? 4 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 (this relates to W1.1 and W3) 28/11/2008  develop a written statement of procedures to be followed for the safeguarding of children (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 28/11/2008  develop a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 28/11/2008

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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

 ensure that parents have copies of the written statements of safeguarding procedures and complaints procedures (also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register). 28/11/2008 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 registration.

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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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