Childminder, Out-of school day care in Staffordshire

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 EY383210 Inspection date 25/03/2009 Inspector Susan Rogers

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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 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 lives with her partner and three children aged 13, eight and nine months. They live in the Walsall area of the West Midlands. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden, which is on two levels, for outside play. There is a ground floor toilet and access to the property is on one level. The childminder collects children by car from local schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time of whom no more than two may be in the early years age group. There are currently three children in this age group being cared for. Care is also offered to children aged over five years. The provision is registered by Ofsted in the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is inadequate. The childminder has only a minimal understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and, consequently, this has a negative impact on children's care and learning. This results in no considered planning and minimal observations for only some of the children. There is no procedure in place to evaluate the setting's strengths and weaknesses in order to develop her practice and maintain improvement. The childminder is in breach of her conditions of registration in respect of numbers of children cared for in the early years age group this compromises their development and well-being. The risk assessments are not sufficiently thorough and do not assess the potential risks in respect of the outdoor play equipment which places children's welfare at risk.

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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 there is an effective registration system in place to show individual children's time of arrival and departure (safeguarding and welfare) 01/04/2009  maintain records required for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to meet the needs of individual children (documentation) 01/04/2009  conduct risk assessments by identifying aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis (suitable premises, environment and equipment) 27/03/2009  develop knowledge and understanding of the Early 23/05/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Years Foundation Stage (organisation)  devise a planning, observation and assessment system to provide children with sufficient challenge encompassing all areas of learning and development (assessment arrangements) 23/05/2009  gain a knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements within the Early Years

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further?

Foundation Stage (Early learning goals) 23/05/2009

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provision

Overall, leadership and management are ineffective. The organisation of the setting is unsuccessful as the childminder does not adhere to the conditions of her registration and is caring for more children than her registration allows. The childminder demonstrates limited knowledge of the learning, development and welfare requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, children's learning is hindered and their welfare needs are not consistently met. There is limited capacity for continuous improvement because the childminder has not engaged in an effective self-evaluation process. The strengths and weaknesses of the setting, therefore, have not been clearly identified.

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provision

Children's starting points are recorded on entry to the setting and there have been some initial observations in respect of one of the children. However, this provides the childminder with insufficient information to enable her to assess all the children's progress and plan for their individual progression. As a result of this, children's next steps in their learning are not clearly identified and results in insufficient challenge in their activities. Children are suitably safeguarded because the childminder shows she has knowledge and understanding of Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She is aware of the indicators of abuse and ensures that parents know of her responsibilities when making a referral. The attendance registers and children's contracts are in place, however, some entries in this documentation do not refer specifically to individual children which compromises their welfare. The childminder has completed first aid training and

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provision

has a paediatric first aid certificate. She is aware of the procedures to follow if the child has an accident or is she needs to apply emergency first aid. Relevant documentation that will assist parents in making a complaint are in place.

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provision

The setting is clean and welcoming with a specific room organised for children's play activities. However, there are limited activities readily available and children are only able to freely access some equipment and books which limit their spontaneous play opportunities. Some of the routines are lengthy and do not present children with sufficient enough challenge to extend their learning. Children's behaviour is appropriately managed as the childminder has strategies that she employs which include distraction, taking turns and explanations which encourages their co-operation. Children are caring and considerate towards each other and help to clear away toys and equipment when they have finished playing. 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

The environment is organised so that children have a specific play area and the resources are maintained in a suitable condition. There is some interesting play equipment that provides children with engaging play opportunities, for example, children enjoy playing with, and moulding sand, however, they have limited access to a wider variety of toys and equipment which means they are not able to make as much progress as they could. The childminder interacts with children whilst they play by reading books with them and helping them with their communication skills and language development. Children are learning how to count and how to recognize different colours. They play together co-operatively and considerate of each other's needs. Their independence is promoted as they are encouraged to acquire self-help skills. There are some images of minority groups in their play equipment which helps their awareness of different segments of society. The

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder demonstrates an adequate awareness of how to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and children who have English as a second language. She is able to make suitable links with other agencies to support children's progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Some aspects of the setting are safe for children, for example, the low-level glass is of British standard and the rear garden is fully enclosed. There is a variety of large play equipment in the rear garden that include trampolines, an unfilled swimming pool and swings. This equipment encourages children to enjoy and understand the benefits of physical activity. The risk assessments, however, do not consider the potential hazards that this equipment may present and, therefore, does not fully protect children. Regular fire evacuation practises are rehearsed with the children and explanations encourage their understanding of the importance of these routines. Children's individual dietary needs are taken into account by the childminder and this is reflected in their meals and snacks that are provided. The meals include fresh vegetables and are of a suitable quality. Children have access to drinks and fresh water throughout the day which protects their well-being.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There are procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection and include parents being encouraged to care for their child in the home setting if they have an illness. Consequently, children's health is suitably promoted. 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? 3

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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? 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

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