Childminder in Leeds

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

p.1

Unique reference number EY301073 Inspection date 06/03/2009 Inspector Jacqueline Patricia Walter

p.1

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

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2005 and works alongside another registered childminder. She lives with her partner and three children aged 14, four and two years. They live in Bramley, which is an area of Leeds, in West Yorkshire. The setting is close to shops, parks and transportation links. The bathroom, front bedroom on the first floor and the whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than one may be in the early years age range. This may be increased to a total of four children under 8 years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age, when working with another childminder. She is currently minding 11 children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.3

Description of the childminding

She collects and takes children to local schools and nurseries. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate. The childminder provides some good interaction and an appropriate selection of resources and interesting activities that give children opportunities to learn in all areas of play. However, the organisation of the resources and some activities leaves some children at a disadvantage. The assessment of children’s development is not effective as there is limited evidence to support that they are being helped to progress appropriately in all areas of learning, which in turn means that they are not making appropriate progress towards the early learning goals. Children are at risk as their overall health and safety is not adequately promoted as a result of the childminder’s limited knowledge regarding some of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. The childminder uses appropriate information gathered from parents and other settings to suitably complement and support the children’s individual

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

welfare needs. Some systems to self-evaluate her setting and identifying strengths and weaknesses are undertaken, which in turn leads to some appropriate action taken to maintain continuous improvement.

p.3

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.

p.3

further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  plan and organise the resources to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning environment, and ensure there is a balance of adult led and freely chosen activities, in particular for the younger children (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 20/03/2009  develop and implement assessment and planning systems to help children progress, and include systems to find out the children's starting points and encourage parents to be involved in the children's learning (Organisation) 27/03/2009  ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise risks to children, with particular regard to ensuring fire fighting equipment is regularly checked, electrical equipment being made safe or inaccessible

p.3

further?

and all activities being safe for them to engage in (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) 20/03/2009  ensure records of risk assessment for outings and trips are maintained (Safeguarding and welfare) 13/03/2009  make sure all the necessary steps are taken to promote the health of children, with regard to obtaining written permission to seek emergency advice and treatment, obtaining prior written permission to administer medication from parents, ensuring the contents of the first aid kit is appropriately stocked and systems are in place to prevent the spread of infection (Safeguarding and welfare) 20/03/2009  ensure the adult to child ratio requirements are met at all times (Suitability of adults) 09/03/2009  devise and implement a complaints policy that meets all requirements and share this with parents (Safeguarding and welfare) 20/03/2009

p.4

further?

 develop understanding of local safeguarding procedures and implement an effective safeguarding children policy, which includes the procedures to follow in the event of allegations being made against a member of staff (Safeguarding and welfare). 20/03/2009 To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.4

further?

 continue to expand opportunities for children to value and become aware of the diversity of the wider world, with particular regard to disability and different cultures. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

provision

Some of the required records, policies and procedures are in place, organised and stored confidentially. However, although the childminder takes some safety precautions to minimise risks when taking children on outings and trips she is in breach of requirements as a result of not having records of the risk assessments. She is also in breach of her conditions of registration as a result of not ensuring that adult to child ratio requirements are met at all times when working alone. She has some understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse but children’s welfare is not protected appropriately as a result of her limited knowledge on procedures to follow when concerns are raised with children or in the event of an allegation being made against other adults. In addition to this, she does not have appropriate written guidance or contact numbers to enable her to access emergency services. This means she is in breach of safeguarding requirements and

p.5

provision

children are not appropriately protected.

p.5

provision

There are friendly partnerships between parents and the childminder. Most information on the setting is shared verbally with parents, however, the childminder is in breach of requirements as she does not obtain written permission from parents to seek emergency advice and treatment for all the children. She is also not fully aware of her role and responsibilities when dealing with complaints, so parents are unaware of how and to whom, they can report their concerns. There are also no systems in place to obtain prior written permission to administer medication. As a result, children are at risk. Parents are appropriately encouraged to share what they know about their children through ongoing discussions and the completion of child record forms, which results in the childminder taking account of and meeting parents' wishes regarding the children’s individual welfare needs. Children’s progress and achievement is also shared appropriately through

p.5

provision

discussions that take place both before and after their sessions.

p.5

provision

The childminder takes some steps to self-evaluate and ensure the continual improvement of the welfare and learning of children. For example, she is proactive in developing her own knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements, by attending a training course on the Early Years Foundation Stage and working with a local nursery to devise an assessment system. She informally asks parents for their views on the setting and has partially addressed almost all recommendations raised at a previous visit. As a result, some aspects of children’s health and learning is improved.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a friendly environment where some children are able to access a suitable selection of resources and activities. However, there are limited resources and activities that promote the valuing and understanding of disability and culture. Younger children are not always able to receive an enjoyable and challenging learning environment, due to the organisation of resources, which in turn limits accessibility. Experiences, such as art activities are also restricted as a result of them having to accompany the childminder when taking and collecting This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 other children from other settings. Children enjoy some planned adult-led activities. For example, they visit the Eureka museum and Pudsey Park, which in turn helps them to develop knowledge and understanding of the world.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Most of the learning is child led. For example, the children choose the resources they are interested in and then the childminder uses these to appropriately promote some of their individual learning needs. For example, when children select books she encourages them to concentrate and develop their communication skills by asking them to identify colours and answer open ended questions about aspects of the book. She also uses some everyday routines to develop the children’s numeracy skills. For instance, children count the stairs as they go up to the bathroom. Although, the childminder has recently been proactive in obtaining some guidance on learning and development and has just devised a system to support the requirements, she has not yet started to implement this and assess the children or plan activities which meet their individual learning needs. In addition to this, there are no methods in place to find out the children’s starting

p.6

The quality and standards of the early years provision

points or involve parents and other carers sufficiently in promoting children’s development. As a result, the childminder does not have a clear enough understanding of the children’s individual learning, which in turn results in the pace of learning being too slow for children to make satisfactory gains in knowledge, skills and understanding.

p.6

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Health and hygiene is not always effectively promoted. For example, some contents of the first aid kit is out of date and everyday hygiene routines, such as children washing hands before eating and the childminder wiping potties which different children use, is not always undertaken. Children are developing an appropriate understanding of healthy eating by choosing snacks from a selection of healthy fruit and by sometimes accompanying the childminder in activities, such as shopping for their fruit. She takes some positive steps to promote safety in the setting. However, some hazards are not considered. For example, not all fire fighting equipment is regularly checked, electrical equipment, such as lamp switches and sockets are accessible to young children and some spontaneous activities implemented in the setting, such as engaging children in catching soap bubbles on a tiled floor, subject children to the risk of accidents. Children are

p.6

The quality and standards of the early years provision

learning to behave well as a result of the childminder using good methods that reflect their ages and abilities. For example, younger children are encouraged to share and take turns and older children discuss and devise rules regarding the expected behaviour. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.7

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

p.7

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?

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

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.

p.8

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:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR5) 20/03/2009  ensure a written statement of procedures to follow in relation to complaints is in place (CR7) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 20/03/2009  ensure a written statement of procedures to follow for the protection of children from abuse or neglect is in place (CR2) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 20/03/2009

p.8

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:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR5) 20/03/2009  take action as specified in the compulsory Childcare Register section of the report (CR7) 20/03/2009  take action as specified in the compulsory Childcare Register section of the report (CR2) 20/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.8

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.

p.9

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.

p.9

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.9

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.

p.9