Childminder in WorcestershireOfsted inspection, 6 Mar 2009

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 204571 Inspection date 06/03/2009 Inspector Elenora Griffin

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 registered in 1992. She lives with her husband in Earls Common, Worcestershire. The lounge, kitchen, toileting facilities and one bedroom in the childminder's house are used for childminding. Children have access to an enclosed garden for outdoor play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years of age at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder currently cares for 11 children in the early years age group and 10 older children. She takes and collects children from the local school and nursery. The childminder provides part-time care in her home for two dogs.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate. Children are generally happy and content in the calm and relaxed atmosphere of the childminder's home. However, outcomes for children are not adequately promoted. This is because the childminder does not meet all of the statutory requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and does not use the practice guidance to plan for children's individual learning and development needs. Children's health needs and care routines are appropriately meet because the childminder gathers sufficient information from parents and adheres to children's individual requirements. However, adequate steps are not taken to promote inclusion. The childminder does not demonstrates a satisfactory capacity for continuous improvement. Although she met the requirements of the recommendations raised at the last inspection, she has not maintained improvement in order to ensure that the requirements of

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:

p.3

further?

 develop an effective policy for ensuring equality of opportunities which includes information about how diversity and differences are fully promoted and children encouraged to value and respect others (Safeguarding and welfare) 27/03/2009  take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children outdoors are kept to a minimum through ensuring that broken toys and equipment are made inaccessible to children (Suitable premises, 27/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 environment & equipment) (also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  make a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 27/03/2009  ensure that information provided for parents includes the policies on equality of opportunity and safeguarding children and the procedures to be

p.3

further?

followed in the event of a complaint, a child being lost or a child not being collected, and ensure that information from parents includes information about who has legal contact and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and welfare) 27/03/2009  develop effective systems to ensure that the individual needs of all children are met, for example, by using the Practice Guidance to the EYFS. (Organisation) 27/03/2009

p.4

provision

Although, the childminder takes some positive steps to keep children safe, children's safety is not adequately promoted. The childminder ensures that children are supervised at all times, has a generally sound knowledge of child protection issues and on the whole maintains a safe indoor environment for children to play in. However, the childminder does not make a record of the risk assessments and has not ensured that hazards to children outdoors are kept to a minimum. Consequently, broken and disused bikes and scooters are accessible to children in the garden where they play.

p.4

provision

Children's health is positively promoted because the childminder ensures that she maintains a current first aid qualification and has completed food hygiene training. She responds positively to recommendations raised and has read through the EYFS documentation. However, her understanding of the EYFS is not sufficient enough to enable her to effectively self-evaluate her practice against its requirements. As a result, she been unable to identify the areas of practice that need further development.

p.4

provision

Children benefit from the positive relationships that are developed between parents and the childminder. Through children's records and daily chats the childminder and parents share information appropriately so that children's health and care routines are met, and parents informed about children activities during their time with the childminder. However, information sharing does not adequately support the provision for children's welfare. This is because the childminder does not share with parents her policy for safeguarding children or the procedures to be followed in the event of a compliant being made, a child becoming lost or a child not being collected at the agreed time. The childminder does not find out who has parental responsibility and/or legal contact with the children that she cares for. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from having ample space within the childminder's home to move about and spread out with activities. Although there are limited resources readily available in the main room used for childminding, children are appropriately supported to start making decisions about what they want to do as the childminder takes them to a wider selection of toys and games stored in another room. However, there are very few resources and activities available for children that positively promote diversity and differences. As a result, there is insufficient support for children to encourage them to value and respect diversity and difference in others.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well behaved and respond positively to the affection and praise that is continually offered by the childminder. Children enjoy looking at books, playing with small world resources and building with bricks. There is a large collection of children's videos and boxes of age appropriate toys are taken out for children to access. The childminder describes how she gets to know children well as she plays with them and relies on instinct and experience to provide support for their learning and development needs. However, the childminder does not have a clear knowledge and understanding of the six areas of learning and development and the early learning goals. She does not use the practice guidance to the EYFS to ensure that every child receives an appropriately challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to meet their individual needs. Activities provided for children are not always appropriate to their ages and stages of

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

development, for example, activities with expectations of very young children to begin writing their name. Activities and resources are often limited because the childminder does not plan to ensure that each child has opportunities to access and explore all those available. Consequently, there are insufficient opportunities for children to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding within each area of learning.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from flexible settling-in procedures. The childminder works with parents to help children settle, ensuring that they say goodbye to their parents when they leave and are offered lots of reassurance that their parents will be back soon. With lots of positive reinforcement, hugs and distractions, children soon settle happily looking at books with the childminder. Children benefit from regular snacks, drinks and meals. They stay healthy as they enjoy daily opportunities to be active outside in the fresh air where they access sand play, a playhouse and a large trampoline. Children are starting to learn how to keep themselves stay safe as they participate in weekly practices of the emergency evacuation procedure. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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.6

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.6

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.6

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?

p.6

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.6

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.7

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.7

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.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 make copies of the written statements of safeguarding and complaints procedures available to parents (Providing information to parents) 27/03/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment). 27/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

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.8

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.8

Detail of the complaint/s

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

p.8

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.8