Childminder, Out-of school day care in Darlington

EYL413 V1_20090122 Ofsted National Business Unit St Ann’s Square Manchester M2 7LA Telephone: 08456 404040 Fax: 08456 40 40 49 Minicom: 0161 6188524 Email: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk Web: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Outcome of monitoring visit for provision judged as inadequate

Thank you for the help which you gave when we visited your setting with the above registration number on 12/01/2009. This monitoring visit follows your inadequate inspection.

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Publication of this letter

This letter will be published on our website. Please contact us on 08456 404040 or by email to the above address within 24 hours of the receipt of this letter if there are any factual inaccuracies within it. Please note we will not include your name and address when we publish the letter.

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Outcome of the visit

As a result of the inspection on 18/11/2008, you were sent a welfare requirements notice.

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Outcome of the visit

This notice required you to ensure that there is a balance of adult-led and freely chosen or child-initiated activities, delivered through indoor and outdoor play. Sensitive observational assessment must be undertaken in order to plan to meet young children’s individual needs and that you must plan and provide experiences which are appropriate to each child’s stage of development as they progress towards the early learning goals. You were also required to address actions to improve systems. You needed to ensure that an effective policy about equal opportunities including information about how all children will be included, valued and supported is in place. All equipment and toys to be in working order and suitable for their purpose. Written procedures for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents to be in place and to keep a written record of complaints and their outcome. A two- way flow of information to be maintained with parents including, for example, the

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Outcome of the visit

types of activity provided for children. A risk assessment to be conducted which should be reviewed regularly at least once a year or more frequently when the need arises including where children play outdoors. Having considered all the evidence, the inspector is of the opinion that at this time you are making inadequate improvement overall.

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Outcome of the visit

Ofsted will take enforcement action to ensure compliance with children’s welfare, learning and development requirements or will take steps to cancel you registration.

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Overall effectiveness of the improvement and outcomes for children

Since the last inspection, limited improvement has been made. A weekly routine for children has been devised to ensure that there is a balance of activities provided. However, this is based on a child that has since left and has not been updated to address the full needs of the remaining children. As a result the individual children’s learning needs supported by adult-led and child-initiated activities are not in place.

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Overall effectiveness of the improvement and outcomes for children

No progress has been made with carrying out observations of children’s activities in order to plan to meet their individual needs. The childminder has started to familiarise herself with the Early Years Foundation Stage and its implications for children’s development. However, plans have not been put into place to provide experiences which are appropriate to each child’s stage of development to ensure that they make progress towards the early learning goals.

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Overall effectiveness of the improvement and outcomes for children

The report was issued on 30 December 2008. At the time of the monitoring visit the local advisory team has not been involved in the setting. The welfare requirement notice has been extended to give the childminder the opportunity to address the requirements.

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Overall effectiveness of the improvement and outcomes for children

Children are made to feel welcome and included in the setting. A satisfactory relationship is observed between them and the childminder. The childminder demonstrates a satisfactory knowledge of how she raises children’s awareness of a wider world. For example, through the resources and outings in the local environment. Resources that are age and ability appropriate and in full working order are available for children to make their own choices from. The childminder has re- organised the storage of resources to make them more readily accessible on the ground floor of the home. She has identified how she plans to further improve children’s access by purchasing storage boxes that will be available on specific days to give children a wide choice.

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Overall effectiveness of the improvement and outcomes for children

Parents are kept informed about what their child has done each time that they attend, through discussion. A written risk assessment has been implemented that includes areas within the home, regular outings and venues that children attend. The childminder acknowledges that she will review this as and when needed. For example, if they are to visit a new venue. Written documentation has been devised and shared with parents regarding the recording of any concerns or complaints. However, timescales involved in the investigation of any concerns or complaints has not been shared with parents. This part of the previous action has been brought forward at this visit.

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Next steps

Having considered all the evidence the inspector is of the opinion that at this time:

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Next steps

 The childminder has made inadequate progress in addressing the points for improvement. This visit has raised very serious concerns about the standard of welfare, learning and development. We will be taking steps to cancel your registration or move to prosecution.

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Next steps

If you have any further queries please contact us on the number at the top of this letter.

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