Childminder in CambridgeshireOfsted inspection, 3 Feb 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

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Unique reference number 222342 Inspection date 03/02/2009 Inspector Heidi Falconer

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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 1989 and lives with her husband and two adult children in Cambridgeshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups with minded children. The family have a dog and a cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and she is currently minding four children in the early years age group on a part-time basis and is registered on the Early Years Register. The childminder also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a judgement about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included at the end of the report.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate. Children’s welfare and their ability to learn and develop is not sufficiently promoted as the childminder has a limited understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Some of the required documents are not in place which means children are not appropriately safeguarded nor is their good health fully promoted. The childminder is committed to making improvements and is very caring towards the children with whom she has a secure relationship.

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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 the use of observations to help assess the progress which children are making and to identify and plan activities which promote their next steps in learning; ensure observations are clearly matched to the expectations of the early learning goals (Assessment arrangements) 18/08/2009  improve knowledge and understanding of the early learning goals, using this knowledge to plan activities and experiences for children which meet their individual needs (Early learning goals) 18/02/2009  conduct a risk assessment, both in the setting and for 18/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 when on outings, which is reviewed regularly, at least once a year or more frequently where the need arises (Suitable Premises, environment & equipment, also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register)  keep a written record of all accidents or injuries that children sustain, which are signed by parents

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further?

(Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare, also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 18/02/2009  obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare, also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 18/02/2009  ensure that all persons over 16 and living on the premises complete the required checks. (Suitable people) 18/02/2009

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provision

The leadership and management of the setting is ineffective because the childminder fails to meet the specific legal requirements of the EYFS. This limits her ability to effectively provide for children's individual learning and development needs or to successfully identify strengths and areas for development in order to ensure improvement. Additionally, the childminder has failed to implement the recommendations made at her last inspection.

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provision

Children are not fully safeguarded as the childminder has failed to understand the importance of ensuring that all persons over the age of 16 living on the premises submit to the appropriate checks. Although the childminder has just initiated these checks, they are now three years overdue.

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provision

The childminder has established effective working relationships with parents. A recent questionnaire response from a parent stated ‘for us she is the perfect childminder'. The childminder gives parents verbal feedback each day on their child’s welfare and activities. A range of written policies are in place with parents to ensure that they are familiar with the procedures that the childminder implements. The childminder is part of a childminder network group and regularly attends training courses. Recent courses have included safeguarding, healthy lunches, heuristic play and equalities. The childminder uses some of the information she gains at these courses to develop her provision, for example, she is currently collecting items to set up a treasure basket and heuristic play sessions.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder does not sufficiently promote the welfare of all children because some of the legally required documentation is not in place. She does not obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine, from parents before any medication is given. Additionally, she has not carried out a risk assessment of her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 home and therefore does not have a record of aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis. Limited records are kept of accidents and the first aid treatment which children receive.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a healthy range of fresh fruit and vegetables for the children at snack time to promote and develop their understanding of healthy eating. Children are cared for in a clean and healthy environment. For example, the childminder ensures that when children are playing in the kitchen area that the dog’s water bowl is not accessible to them. Children are learning about how they can keep themselves safe. For example, the child childminder talks to the children about road safety and they know their boundaries when walking to and from school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s progress towards the early learning goals is not sufficiently promoted. The childminder is not familiar enough with the six areas of learning and the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. There is currently no system in place to make systematic observations or assessments to identify learning priorities for each child. This limits the childminder’s ability to plan relevant and motivating learning experiences which meet individual children's needs. The childminder shares children’s achievements with parents verbally and is beginning to collect examples of their work to share with them. However, children enjoy their time with the childminder. Children develop and show an interest in books. They freely choose their favourite books such as the ‘snowman’ from a basket in the lounge and snuggle up with the childminder who reads with them. The childminder regularly takes children to local

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

play and activity groups, which gives them opportunities to socialise and mix with children of a similar age. Children have opportunities to play imaginatively and be creative. They access resources such as pencils and chalk for drawing and enjoy cooking activities. For example, on cold days the children are keen to make cakes and have them with hot chocolate. The childminder has a suitable range of resources such as climbing equipment, balls and see-saws to promote children’s physical development. 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? 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: 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. (this relates to Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare and Suitable Premises, environment & equipment) 18/02/2009

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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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (this relates to Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare and Suitable Premises, environment & equipment). 18/02/2009 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 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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