Childminder in Lancashire

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 EY384114 Inspection date 10/02/2009 Inspector Sue Partington

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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 2008. She works with another registered childminder and minds from her co-childminder's house in the Leyland area of Preston, Lancashire. The co-childminder's husband and a teenager live at the property. Children are accommodated in the conservatory, lounge and dining area on the ground floor with access to an enclosed outdoor area.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children. When working together the childminders may care for a maximum of six children, all of whom may be in the early years age range. They are currently caring for six children in this age group. They also offer care for children aged from five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder offers care from 07.30 to 16.30, Monday to Friday all year round.

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Description of the childminding

Both childminders have equal responsibility for the childminding practice.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate. Although the childminder and her co-worker provide a happy welcoming environment in which children make satisfactory progress, systems are not yet in place to identify children's next steps towards the early learning goals. Suitable links with parents ensure that the individual care needs of all children are met, however, weaknesses in the childminder's ability to safeguard children mean that overall children's welfare is not sufficiently promoted. Both the childminder and her co-childminder are in the early stages of beginning to evaluate their practice, although as yet this is not contributing to identifying areas for further development in order to continually improve their 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?

 develop a safeguarding children policy in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board which includes the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 24/02/2009  extend risk assessments to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, in particular the radiator pipes (Suitable 24/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 premises, environment and equipment) To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop the systems for observation and assessment in order to plan for children's next steps across all six areas of learning, to ensure they achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and capabilities.

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provision

The childminder and her co-childminder are in the early stages of evaluating their practice. They know what they do well and aim to provide a good quality service where children are happy and well cared for. They can identify some required areas for improvement, however, they have not checked their practices sufficiently to ensure that they identify gaps in their provision. This has led to weaknesses in safeguarding children's welfare. Overall, the childminder's capacity to improve is poor because despite having attended some recent training she is unable to fully protect children. She is not aware of local procedures to follow or of what to do if she is concerned about child protection issues. Additionally, she is not aware of what to do if an allegation is made about herself or her co-childminder. The childminder and her co-childminder have produced a hazard checklist to help them reduce risk to children. However, this current system does not allow them to

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provision

review and continually evaluate changing risks. For example, radiator pipes are burning hot to touch and they are within reach of children. Consequently, children are not fully safeguarded. Some suitable procedures are in place to help promote children's welfare, for example, the childminder holds a current first aid certificate and sufficiently maintains the required records, such as accidents and medication.

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provision

An inclusive and welcoming service is provided for all children and parents. The childminder is developing partnerships with parents by providing them with basic information of how the setting operates. She gathers details from parents at the initial visit to ensure she has a good awareness of each child's starting points. Activities are planned around children's needs and interests and although parents are not yet involved in planning, daily discussions enable information about children's progress to be shared. Recent written references show that parents are satisfied with their children's care and are pleased with the achievements they are making.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a sufficient awareness of how children learn to enable them to make steady progress. She instinctively introduces opportunities for learning through their play, for example, she counts with a toddler aged child as she stacks a tower of blocks. Children enjoy their time with the childminder as she confidently promotes their fun and enjoyment through activities such as singing and dancing. Babies clap hands to 'wheels on the bus', for example, and older children join in their particular favourite songs, such as 'Bob the Builder'. Children's language is developing well as the childminder continually talks with them and asks questions This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 which make them think and remember. She introduces transport sounds which babies enjoy, such as the sounds of trains. The promotion of children's language and number awareness helps to form some foundations for their future learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's individual stages of development are promoted and extended sufficiently through the childminder's awareness of what each child can do, which helps her provide appropriate toys and activities. However, most activities are child initiated and the childminder is not making the most of what she knows about individual children to plan for their continual progress across all areas of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder organises space, time and resources appropriately to meet the children's needs. For instance, children are able to sleep without disturbance in a quieter part of the house. The childminder values all children in her care and the children experience a sense of belonging in the warm and welcoming home because their work, pictures and posters are displayed in the conservatory. Children have the opportunity to move around freely and develop some independence as they self-select toys from toy boxes. They are able to follow through their own ideas, for example, one child looks for and finds a microphone to sing along with. Children are learning to show care and concern for each other and older children willingly share toys with the babies. The children are learning about staying safe when they are reminded about not climbing on furniture, although their safety is compromised because of the hazards they are exposed to.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children can freely access their own cup for a drink when they are thirsty. Interaction is good between the childminder and the children, they share lots of laughter as they spend time playing on the floor and clearly enjoy the attention. 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? 3 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

 implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children (CR2.1) 24/02/2009  implement a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints. (CR7.1) 24/02/2009

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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

 implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children (CR2.1) 24/02/2009  implement a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints. (CR7.1) 24/02/2009 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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