Childminder in Darlington

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 301050 Inspection date 04/11/2008 Inspector Donna Suzanne Lancaster

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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 has been registered since October 1998. She lives with her husband and three children aged seven, nine and 11 years. They live in Hurworth village close to Darlington. The house is situated in a quiet residential area within easy distance of schools, toddler groups, playgroups, park and shops. The ground floor of the house is used for childminding. The upstairs of the house is not used. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The family have a dog and two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time. There are currently 11 children on roll, of whom, seven are aged under eight years. The childminder also cares for children over the age of eight. Children attend on a part- time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder welcomes all children into her home. She creates a warm, caring and inclusive environment in which children feel happy and secure. Sound resources sufficiently support children in their play. However, the childminder's lack of understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage means that procedures are not in place to meet fully the welfare and learning and development requirements. Sufficient information regarding children's care is obtained from parents and daily communication is exchanged, however, the information shared is not focused on children’s learning and development. There are no clear systems in place to maintain continuous improvement within the setting; as a result, the provider is not able to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the provision.

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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?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course by 24/01/2009 (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 24/01/2009  increase knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, including observation, planning and assessment (Organisation) 18/11/2008  ensure that the Local Safeguarding Children Board 18/11/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 guidance about what to do if there are concerns about a child is obtained, understood and is implemented to safeguard children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register)  make available to parents the information set out in regulations about the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 18/11/2008  carry out regular risk assessments and take

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further?

reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children on the premises in the case of fire (Suitable premises, environment & equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 18/11/2008 To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop the procedures for self evaluation and monitoring of the provision to ensure continuous improvement  develop links with other agencies and the ways in which parents can be more involved in assessing children's starting points and capabilities  ensure all parents give prior written consent to administer non-prescribed medication, and only when there is a health reason to do so

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provision

The childminder does not readily identify areas within her practice that require developing and work towards improvement. For example, a system for observation, assessment and planning for each child is not in place to monitor children's progress. The childminder has not been proactive in reading and assessing what she has to develop to comply with the requirements of the new Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Many of these requirements have not been met; as a result, it has a negative impact on the care children receive. However, she has identified this weakness as a particular area that she would like to improve by attend some training on. In addition, links have not been made with other settings that the children attend to enable relevant information about the delivery of the EYFS to be shared to ensure continuity and coherence for every child.

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provision

The childminder has some records in place to sufficiently meet children's needs. For example, their likes, dislikes and any dietary requirements. She has a positive attitude towards caring for children with additional needs and demonstrates a satisfactory understanding of how to promote inclusion for all children. The attendance record is kept up-to-date and shows that adult to child ratios are effectively maintained. An accident book and a medication sheet are also in place but not all consents have been obtained. The childminder demonstrates an acceptable ability and capacity to improve as improvements to her record keeping This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 since the last inspection are now in place. Children are not effectively safeguarded by the measures that the childminder has in place. Her knowledge and understanding of what to do if she has concerns about a child is insufficient to

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provision

protect children and she has not obtained local guidance so that she is better informed. The childminder's first aid certificate has expired, however, a course to up date it has been arranged for the beginning of next year. The childminder is safety conscious and has taken steps to eliminate all obvious hazards from her home and garden. However, a risk assessment has not been conducted, to identify any new potential hazards to maintain the safety of the children.

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provision

The childminder exchanges verbal information with parents on a daily basis. However, this does not include information about children's learning and development and there has been no information obtained from parents regarding children's starting points. Parents do not have access to any written procedures, such as safeguarding and complaints.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and content in the childminder's care. However, their learning and development is limited by the childminder's weak knowledge and understanding of the EYFS and how to plan activities to cover all areas of learning, observe and assess what children can do in order to identify children's next steps in their learning. Children have a sufficient range of toys and play equipment to keep them interested and active during their time at her home. The children play well together; they take turns and share the toys. For example, they choose to play with the construction toys when they return from nursery. They make different shapes and are able to name them, such as triangle and square. Children know that they must connect the same colours together and can name the colours confidently and count how many pieces they need to make a shape. Children play with the pretend mobile phone and recite the number they must call in case of an

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

emergency or if they need the police. Children enjoy building the track together before racing the cars around the track; they confidently show the childminder how the pieces fit together. Children are beginning to take an interest in books; they choose a book and sit together to look at the pictures at quiet time. They chat to each other at lunchtime and talk about what they have done at nursery, for example, they are learning about Diwali. They talk about how they drew round their hands and decorated them with coloured paper. The childminder extended this information further by getting a book on festivals and said they would read it later.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder takes necessary steps to prevent the spread of infection, for example, children are encouraged to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They have individual hand drying facilities. Appropriate action is taken when children are ill. Children have the benefit of daily fresh air, as they go for regular walks in the village and on nature walks. The childminder uses everyday routines to prompt conversations about a healthy lifestyle and self-care. They are beginning to learn about how to keep themselves safe. For example, the childminder talks about road safety and 'stranger danger' when walking to and from school and effective emergency evacuation procedures are implemented, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensuring children know what to do in an emergency. Children's independence is developing well, as they independently choose what they want to play with from

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the selection of resources that are made available to them. Children are well behaved. The childminder is a good role model and manages behaviour well, promoting children's self-esteem and confidence by giving appropriate and sincere praise and encouragement. 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? 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? 3 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 18/11/2008

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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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report 18/11/2008 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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