Childminder in Manchester

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 EY381679 Inspection date 13/03/2009 Inspector Judith Anne Kerr

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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 works with another registered childminder and lives with her two adult children in the Miles Platting area of Manchester, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. Both childminder's have equal responsibility for the childminding practice. The whole ground floor of the house is registered for childminding purposes; this comprises the lounge and kitchen. However, the kitchen is only used to allow children direct access to the garden for outdoor play. Bathroom and toilet facilities are on the first floor.

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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 is currently minding four children on various placements on the Early Years Register. When minding with her co-childminder together they may care for a maximum of four children. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local toddler group on a regular basis and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate. The childminder and her co- childminder warmly welcome children and parents into the setting. However, their understanding of the underlying principles of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is limited and several legal welfare requirements are being breached. They do not plan activities and experiences based on individual children's needs and interests and children's learning needs are not met. As a result, inclusive practice is weak. Links with parents are being established but have not been developed with others to ensure children receive seamless experiences in the different settings they attend. Both childminders demonstrate a sound attitude towards continuous improvement recognising that key areas for development centre around their awareness of the welfare and learning requirements of the EYFS.

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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?

 obtain necessary information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to the provision including dietary requirements or food allergies and special health requirements; conduct a full risk assessment for each type of outing (Safeguarding and promoting 20/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's welfare)  ensure fresh drinking water is available at all times (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 13/03/2009  plan and organise a system to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to meet their individual needs (Organisation) 27/03/2009  keep a daily record of all the names of all the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (Documentation). 13/03/2009 To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 review the organisation of snack times to ensure it is a pleasurable experience for children and appropriate hygiene routines are followed  review the risk assessments of the premises with particular regard to cleaning materials in the bathroom and the security of the front door to ensure children are unable to leave unsupervised  ensure freedom for children to access resources to allow them to make informed decisions about their learning.

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provision

The childminder works closely with outside agencies with the aim of improving her practice. However, there is no system to monitor the provision and she does not evaluate the service. As part of her development and promoting improvement, the childminder has attended recent safeguarding training and has a sound understanding of the procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child's welfare. The childminder has a current first aid certificate so she can administer the appropriate treatment in the event of an accident. There are no links with other professionals in the local school to ensure that the children’s needs are planned for across the different provisions they attend. As a result, there is no system to support children's overall progress through the learning framework.

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provision

A risk assessment of the premises is in place to identify potential hazards but cleaning materials in the bathroom and keys in the front door are accessible. Consequently, children are exposed to hazards and can leave the premises unsupervised. Risk assessments are not yet in place to ensure that all outings undertaken are monitored. This is a requirement in regulations.

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provision

The childminders share responsibility for maintaining the required documentation. However, some significant weaknesses have been identified which means the individual needs of some children are not known. Records of attendance and information regarding health and dietary needs for all children are not in place. These are requirements in regulations. Written policies and procedures are available to provide parents with information about the provision. Parents are given a verbal account of their child's day but are not asked to identify what children already know and can do on admission. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Both childminder's share responsibility for the organisation of activities. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of the EYFS is weak. Children sometimes become restless because they are not always actively engaged in activities which meet their needs and interests. Planning is not yet in place to ensure children receive a broad range of activities and experiences to promote their individual learning and development. Systems to observe children have been recently introduced but these are not linked to the areas of learning and are merely descriptive. There are no systems in place to monitor the depth and balance of the curriculum or to track children's progress towards the early learning goals. Limited evidence was available at inspection to support any progress children are making.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A warm and homely environment is provided for children where they are at ease and soon settle. However, the premises do not benefit from natural light and the home is not sufficiently organised to enable children to easily access toys and activities to initiate their own play ideas. Children benefit from playing in the childminder's garden and trips to the nearby park where they particularly enjoy the swings. These activities together with daily walks to the local school to collect older children provide opportunities for children to access fresh air and exercise. Toddlers are encouraged to sing rhymes, such as 'If you're happy and you know it' to promote early communication skills. Exploring how different items sink and float as they play in the water encourages an appreciation of early scientific concepts. Use of the children's home language helps to promote a value of self.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder shares caring relationships with the children and offers appropriate hugs and cuddles. She speaks to them in a gentle, calm manner to provide reassurance and offers praise, such as 'good girl'. Behaviour is generally good. Fire evacuation procedures are displayed and carried out with the children to ensure they understand what to do in the event of an emergency. The childminder has some satisfactory procedures in place to promote children's health such as, individual paper towels for drying hands. However, children do not always wash their hands before snacks. Both childminders take responsibility for the planning and preparation of meals. Food provided is healthy and includes daily servings of vegetables. However, children sit on the floor whilst eating their snack and food passes from the dish to floor and back again before it is eaten. Such practices do not promote the good health of children. In addition, drinking water is not

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

accessible to children throughout the day to allow them to independently quench their thirst. This is a requirement in regulations. 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: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met 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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