Ebbw Vale Comprehensive 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 401848 Inspection date 23/02/2009 Inspector Alison Weaver

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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 has been registered since 2000. The childminder regularly works with another childminder at the home of her parents. The house is in Lewes near to shops, parks and schools. A separate purpose-built extension to the house is used for childminding. This includes two play rooms, a bathroom and kitchen. There is a patio area for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on 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. Children enjoy their time with the childminder and form close relationships with her. However, the childminder’s lack of childcare knowledge results in children’s progress in learning and development being very restricted. A number of welfare requirements are not met and children’s safety is compromised. Communication with parents is weak and fails to ensure children are fully supported and their needs met. The childminder is not taking action to identify and improve her strengths and weaknesses.

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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?

 carry out and regularly review risk assessments for the premises, equipment, environment and outings (Suitable premises, environment and equipment - also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) 09/03/2009  produce and implement an action plan to show how knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage will be developed in order to put into practice all the requirements (Suitable people) 23/03/2009  develop observation and assessment systems and use the information gained to help plan enjoyable and challenging learning and development experiences that are tailored to meet children’s individual needs and that help them make good progress towards the early learning goals (Organisation) 23/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  obtain the required information and written parental consents for every child, particularly relating to

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further?

emergency medical treatment, health and dietary needs (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 24/02/2009

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provision

The childminder has a basic knowledge of the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse. She is aware of her responsibility to report any concerns she has but fails to ensure that parents are made aware of this. The children are not fully protected from unauthorised adults as the setting is not kept secure. Safety of children is not given sufficient priority as the childminder is not carrying out regular risk assessments to identify and address any safety concerns. Several safety issues have not been adequately addressed including the lack of regular checks to ensure the smoke alarms remain in working order.

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provision

This childminder does not work well in partnership with parents to meet children’s needs and give them the support they need. She has contracts with the parents but does not have all the required information about children’s individual needs for every child. The childminder is not meeting all the welfare requirements as she does not have all the necessary written parental consents in place, particularly for the seeking of emergency medical treatment or advice. The childminder has some written policies but these lack detail and clarity about her procedures so are limited in their usefulness for informing parents about her childcare practices. For example, the required written procedures for dealing with complaints and safeguarding children are not available for parents of older children. They verbally share basic information on a daily basis about a child’s care; however, there is very little exchange of information about children’s learning and development.

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provision

The childminder has no systems in place for reviewing and evaluating her practices. She has not kept up to date with recent changes in childcare and has not attended any courses to improve her knowledge and skills for some time. This results in her being unaware of the new learning and welfare requirements and the need for her to improve outcomes for children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has no knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, she fails to meet the learning and development requirements and children’s progress is inadequate. There are no systems in place to observe and assess children’s development in order to identify their needs and plan activities that will help them make progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder provides a satisfactory variety of activities that interest the children but the play is not planned with a purpose.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has caring and friendly relationships with the children. They are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 confident and settled. Children chat happily about what they are doing and like the childminder to join in their play. They enjoy cuddling up with her and looking at books together. Children can make some choices from the low storage units that are accessible. They like to dress the dolls and play with the ride-on toys. The childminder provides few activities that will extend children’s understanding of the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder does not effectively promote children’s safety and health. Children are not encouraged to wash their hands before having their snack and the bathroom is not always equipped with soap. Children generally bring their own food and are given drinks. However, drinks are not readily available for children to access at all times. The premises are kept to an adequate standard of cleanliness but the childminder fails to monitor the temperature to ensure it is suitable for the children. The childminder is failing to ensure that all safety hazards are minimised so that children can play in a secure and safe environment. However, children play with a satisfactory range of safe and suitable toys. The children learn about how to keep themselves safe when they go on outings but the childminder fails to take a first aid kit with her to enable her to deal with any emergencies. 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? 4 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

 produce and implement clear written procedures for safeguarding children and for dealing with complaints and make them available to parents (Providing information to parents - also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 09/03/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 09/03/2009

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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 compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Providing information to parents) 09/03/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 09/03/2009 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 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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