Middleton School

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 117676 Inspection date 05/03/2009 Inspector Martha Naa Ahimah Darkwah

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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 2003. She lives with her husband, three adult children and a 17 year old in the Chiswick area of the London borough of Ealing. Minded children have access to two rooms on the ground floor and a bedroom on the first floor of the home. Toilet facilities are provided on the first floor of the house. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. Children are taken regularly to local parks and pre-schools. The family has a pet rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time with no more that three in the early years age group. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group, one of whom attends on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is not registered to provide overnight care.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is a member of the Children Come First Childminding Cluster Network in the London borough of Ealing.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are cared for in a warm and comfortable home environment which is safe in most respects. A warm bond exists between the childminder and the children and she makes sure that she gives them all individual attention which helps them to feel secure and valued. The childminder has a working knowledge of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. The childminder observes the children, however, does not work methodically from their starting points because the systems for individualised planning for children is not fully embedded. The childminder is proactive in updating her skills which helps her to maintain continuous improvement. She has fully implemented the recommendation made at the time of the last inspection.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 further improve risk assessment systems in the home to give clear access in the hallway  continue to extend the partnership with parents to involve them in their child's learning and development and how to support children's learning at home  further develop observations of children in sufficient detail in relation to children's starting points to effectively support planning for their next steps in learning.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  carry out a risk assessment for each and every outing taken with minded children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 30/03/2009

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provision

The childminder is very knowledgeable of the signs and symptoms that indicate abuse and she knows what to do if she has concerns for the welfare of the children in her care. She has a comprehensive policy and procedure which sets out her responsibilities in relation to child protection issues and this is shared with parents. She keeps contact information on the Local Safeguarding Children Board to hand in case she has concerns and needs to contact relevant agencies.

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provision

The childminder is safety conscious and carries out regular risk assessments in all areas of her home. However, detailed risk assessments of all outings undertaken and ensuring there is clear space in the hallway at all times for easy access has been overlooked. She keeps children safe in most respects through conducting risk assessments, although, she has not recognised a few possible hazards in the home. Children are taken regularly to local pre-schools and places of interest. She has not conducted a risk assessment for each outing she takes with the children which is a requirement under the EYFS framework.

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provision

The childminder works very effectively with parents on all matters concerning each child's health, individual dietary needs and general welfare. All of the required permissions are given by parents and useful contact books are shared which ensures that the care of the children is appropriate and consistent but the information does not give a full picture of children's learning and progress in relation to their starting points or enable parents to fully support children in their learning. The childminder does not use information gained from parents to assist with planning, ensuring children's home language, culture and family circumstances are promoted within the setting. For example, the system for children’s starting points is not sufficiently secure to inform the next steps in their learning journey.

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provision

Initial information is requested from the parents, such as the children's likes, dislikes and any special requirements. However, the childminder does not use the information effectively to meet children’s needs in all aspects. For example, systems in place are not used effectively to identify children’s starting points and effectively plan suitable challenging activities to map out each child’s learning journey.

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provision

Contracts, accident, medication and attendance records are all in place and they are kept correctly which helps to promote the efficient running of the childminder's service. The childminder has recently undertaken a sound self-evaluation exercise which has been partially successful. She failed to identify and comply with some This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 aspects of regulation. These include risk assessments for outings and the home environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are calm and relaxed in the care of the childminder. Young children crawl fast and often pull themselves up to stand with the support the childminder offers. She also responds well to the little ones when they babble and chatter to her whilst reading books and engaging in interaction. Young children enjoy playing with wooden cubes that help with recognition of shapes, numbers and different colours. The childminder skilfully engages with young children to identify colours and letters of the alphabet. Young children clap, keep eye contact and join in action songs, such as 'Miss Polly' wiggling happily, folding arms and clapping gleefully saying 'oh oh'.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has started to implement systems of observation, assessment and recording of each child's learning and development, however, there is insufficient information in relation to the children's starting points and the regularity of the observation records. This limits the extent to which she can plan the next steps for children's progress in all areas of their learning and map out a chronological learning journey.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is protected because the procedures in place to prevent cross infection are effective. For example, children do not attend when they are unwell and use individual bedding and towels. Children's health is promoted through the provision of nutritious meals. Children enjoy healthy snacks of fresh fruit. They have frequent drinks and tasty home cooked meals according to their individual dietary needs when they are with the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder takes children to the library and local places of interest, such as parks, pre-schools and local shops regularly. They meet and play with other children at the local pre-schools and places of interest which gives them opportunities to develop their social skills and make friends. They also learn about the area outside the home on their daily walks to and from local places of interest. She helps children to learn about keeping safe by teaching them about road safety on their daily walks and they also learn not to run indoors to avoid accidents. Although some basic risk assessments have been undertaken and the environment is generally safe, some aspects of safety have been overlooked and compromise children's safety.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure they are kept well informed and are able to contribute to their child's welfare, learning and development. However, the system to secure children’s starting points is not effective to inform the planning of individualised programme.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder manages children's behaviour using positive methods, appropriate to their level of understanding. She uses lots of praise and encouragement to enable children to develop confidence and a positive self-esteem, whilst This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding how their actions affect others. This helps children learn about sharing toys and being kind and respecting each other. 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? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report 30/03/2009

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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 30/03/2009 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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