Childminder in WiltshireOfsted inspection, 16 Mar 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 EY311659 Inspection date 16/03/2009 Inspector Rosemary Davies

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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 2005. She lives with her partner and 12- year-old child in Calne, Wiltshire, close to various shops, parks and a library; toddler groups and soft play are a short drive away. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools. The family keep two dogs as pets. Her partner sometimes works as her assistant.

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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 is currently minding four children under five years. She also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The house has three storeys. Children may use the entire house, although in practice stay mainly in the designated playroom on the first floor, taking meals downstairs, where the cloakroom is also located. Access is by steps to the front door and by stairs to the playroom. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. The childminder is working towards a relevant early years qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is inadequate. This is because the childminder has not developed effective monitoring systems and overlooks some requirements, so is in breach of regulations, placing the children's welfare at risk. The childminder provides an inclusive setting, treating children as individuals. She helps them all make good progress in their learning and development. She attends regular training sessions, showing she has the capacity to improve.

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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 all adults having sole charge of the children have an appropriate first aid certificate for babies and young children (Qualifications, training, knowledge and skills) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 16/05/2009  ensure appropriate fire safety advice is sought regarding the use of the second floor bedrooms ( Safeguarding and welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 17/04/2009 To improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  provide a better balance of indoor and outdoor learning  improve the safety of children by recording the hours of attendance as children arrive.

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provision

The childminder organises her home well for childminding purposes. She keeps most required documentation methodically. She breaches some requirements, however, so children's welfare is not safeguarded, particularly in emergencies. Despite this, her record of risk assessment is comprehensive, overall.

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provision

The childminder begins to evaluate her provision but has not fully established effective monitoring systems; hence, she picks up that her first aid certificate is out of date but not sufficiently quickly to meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She seeks parents' views on her provision and undertakes training, keeping her knowledge of child protection updated, for example. This shows her commitment to improving her practice.

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provision

Parents receive a range of useful information about her methods. Learning records provide useful, accurate details of children's progress. These, combined with regular informal chats and written diaries, mean parents are particularly well informed about children's progress in learning and development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a secure, homely environment. She identifies many potential dangers to children's safety and minimises these effectively; however, she has not sought fire safety advice in relation to use of second floor bedrooms and does not record children's presence until late in the day. Additionally, she does not hold a suitable, current first aid certificate, so children are at risk of not receiving proper attention, if needed. Nevertheless, the childminder teaches children appropriate ways to keeping themselves safe, such as holding her hand when using the stairs. She prevents the spread of cross-infection well and helps children understand the basics of healthy living. Children take daily exercise, drink plenty of liquid and eat healthy food, so they are well nourished and ready to learn.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses her knowledge of the EYFS well to offer children a good range of exploratory play experiences. These cover the six areas of learning effectively on a daily basis. Children clearly feel relaxed and 'at home' in her company, so are confident to explore the play resources offered in the well equipped, spacious playroom. These reflect children's interests and stages of development well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder achieves a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated play. She plans specific activities aimed at extending children's vocabularies, for example. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children see clear picture cards and then note the real objects, such as socks and apples. Children enjoy using their imaginations in a range of different play situations, such as mark making, dressing up and pretend play. They develop their knowledge of the wider world through a well chosen range of outings in the local community and further afield, for example, to Savernake Forest and Roves Farm. Overall, however, children do not experience a good balance of indoor and outdoor learning. All receive individual attention, well matched to their particular learning and development needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder establishes children's starting points when first attending through discussions with parents and detailed observation of children's interests and capabilities. She has established a cycle of 'observe, assess and plan' that builds successfully on what children know and can already do, so learning is progressive. Regular discussions with parents contribute well to children's progress, so that home learning informs the childminder's expectations. An example is of starting to use cutlery at home, so the childminder does the same.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave well. The childminder provides a good role model, using clear speech and a positive, encouraging attitude. Children respond well. They listen to directions and are familiar with routines such as hand wiping and having water to drink. The childminder intervenes quickly and appropriately when minor disagreements occur, so that all children learn to play alongside each other amicably. 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? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 4 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 specified in the early years section of the report (Qualifications and training) 16/05/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of premises and equipment) 17/04/2009

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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 (Qualifications and training) 16/05/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of premises and equipment) 17/04/2009 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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