Childminder in Leicestershire

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 EY103645 Inspection date 07/01/2009 Inspector Judith Chinnery

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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 registered with Ofsted in 2002. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is able to offer care to six children aged under eight years at any one time, this increases to eight children when she is working with an assistant. At present there are 12 children aged under eight years, on roll, attending at different times. There are also three children aged over eight.

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Description of the childminding

She lives in a semi-detached house, with five bedrooms, on a main route into the city of Leicester. She shares her home with her husband and three children aged 11,13 and 18 years.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder works all week and overnight care is not provided. Children have access to the whole of the ground floor and occasional use of some of the upstairs bedrooms. The ground floor is all on one level and accessed by a shallow step, there is also a downstairs toilet for the children to use. There is a rear enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's safety and welfare is compromised in this setting because the childminder has failed to ensure that all children are adequately safeguarded. Nevertheless, children make good progress in their play and learning and individual children are supported well to ensure that they can participate fully in the life of the setting. Partnerships between the childminder and parents and others are strong. The childminder readily acknowledges weaknesses and is committed to improving her practice in a timely manner.

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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?

 ensure that Ofsted is informed of any changes to persons aged 16 years or older living or working on the childminding premises (Suitable people) (this also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 31/01/2009  ensure that adults looking after children, or having unsupervised access to them, are suitable to do so (Suitable people) (this also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 31/01/2009  ensure that a current paediatric first aid qualification is held by at least one person working on the premises. 28/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (this also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 extend the use of open ended questions and activities to enable children to develop their skills in thinking critically and creatively.

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provision

The childminder's capacity to ensure that children are adequately protected and safeguarded is compromised because she has failed to ensure that all adults caring for children are suitably vetted. She has also failed to ensure that she has an up- to-date first aid qualification. Despite this, in many other areas, the childminder is well organised and maintains clear records. For example, accurate registers of children's attendance enable her to manage the number of children cared for so that they receive good individual attention. Comprehensive policies are shared with parents and the assistant and support their care of the children effectively. Personal records for each child are effectively kept and contribute to the management of their health and other aspects of their safety. The childminder's knowledge of other aspects of child protection is also sound; she and her assistant are well aware of the possible signs of abuse and know what to do should they be

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provision

The childminder has begun to evaluate her practice. She is knowledgeable of her areas of strength and is starting to identify some aspects which are weaker. She is particularly committed to taking action to improve all aspects of her care for children to ensure that they are safe and well cared for.

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provision

Parents and others are kept well informed about the setting and their child's care. The childminder ensures that parents and carers receive regular information about their child both daily and in newsletters. They are also kept up-to-date with their child's development and are invited to contribute to this process so that they can become involved more fully in their own child's learning. The childminder has also established good relationships with local playgroups and school which ensures that children's care and learning is consistent and complimented.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's ability to stay safe is weak in some areas. Nevertheless, children are able to move around the setting safely because the childminder has made appropriate arrangements to minimise any possible hazards. Good risk assessments also support the childminder and her assistant well in managing any concerns. For example, children are well aware of who is allowed on the trampoline in the garden, whilst a stair gate prevents unsupervised access to the upstairs area. Children's good health is promoted well. They are able to get outside each day either to walk, play in the garden or visit the local park where they are able to run, jump and climb. They enjoy a variety of different foods including fresh This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fruit and vegetables for meals and snacks.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children settle well and form good relationships with each other as well as the childminder and her assistant. Adults gentle praise and encouragement enables each child to form strong attachments and to feel secure. Children become easily engrossed in activities with and without adult support. For example, children put together construction sets to form simple models and try to work out how the cogs fit together so that they turn. The children enjoy choosing books and look at and talk about the pictures. They are beginning to count well and recognise some shapes. Children also have many opportunities to experience art and craft activities so that they can make marks and create their own art work. Children are able to enjoy and achieve well because adults support them appropriately. They collect observations of what they can do and use the information effectively to plan experiences and activities for each individual child so that they can make good

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

progress across all the areas of learning. Children are also developing good skills for the future. However, occasionally adults' questions and activities are not sufficiently open-ended enough to encourage the children to think critically and creatively.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave really well in the setting because adults offer clear explanations and kindly reminders. This supports the children well in sharing and taking turns. Children's individual needs are effectively met. They also enjoy exploring and finding out about other cultures and beliefs such as trying different foods. This means that they are beginning to develop an understanding and respect for themselves and other people, which supports their ability to make a positive contribution well. The childminder is also good at supporting children who have learning difficulties and or disabilities. She is sensitive to their individual needs and ensures that they are able to participate with other children in all the activities of the setting. 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? 2 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? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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 mentioned earlier in the report 31/01/2009 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 mentioned earlier in the report 31/01/2009 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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action

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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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