Childminder in West Northamptonshire

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 EY239855 Inspection date 25/03/2009 Inspector Sarah Measures

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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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and her two children aged seven and five years in the village of Crick in Northamptonshire. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder's home is used for childminding. The premises are accessible and there is an enclosed garden used for outdoor play. The childminder may care for up to two children within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, she may also care for older children on the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has a pet dog. The childminder has links with local schools and pre-school groups.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is inadequate. The childminder has an inadequate knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, as a result the provision does not meet requirements and successfully promote all aspects of children's welfare and their learning and development. Children are valued as individuals and welcomed into the setting. Appropriate policies and routines promote an inclusive setting for children. The provision for continuous improvement is insecure because the childminder has not met all recommendations from her last inspection and because she has not yet established an effective system that enables her to identify any areas for development herself.

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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?

 obtain written permission from parents before administering medication to children (Promoting good health, also, applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 18/04/2009  make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint, that includes details for contacting Ofsted and an explanation that parents can make a complaint to Ofsted if they wish (Safeguarding and welfare, also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 18/04/2009  conduct a risk assessment and review it regularly and carry out regular evacuation drills and record any problems encountered and how they were resolved (Suitable premises, environment and equipment, also 18/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 applies to both parts of the Childcare Register)  make sure that Ofsted is informed of significant changes to the premises (Suitable premises,

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further?

environment and equipment) 18/04/2009  improve knowledge and understanding of the educational programmes and the Early Years Foundation Stage (Educational programmes) 18/04/2009  make sure that systems are in place to ensure first aid training is kept up to date (Suitability of adults, also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 18/04/2009

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provision

Policies and procedures do not fully promote children's learning and development. Children enjoy a varied range of learning opportunities in and out of the home. However, the childminder has not obtained a copy of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework in order for her to establish a workable system of observing and assessing children's progress in relation to their achievements and progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder works co-operatively with parents, who clearly value the care that she provides for their children. However, the childminder does not provide information to parents as to how to make a complaint to Ofsted if they wish, in order to promote a safe and transparent service for parents and children.

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provision

Children are protected because the childminder has a secure understanding of the possible indicators of child abuse and because she keeps relevant referral information to hand to follow if necessary. Secure systems are in place that ensure children are safely collected by appropriate persons. The childminder is starting to reflect upon her practice, although she has not been able to do this successfully without a secure knowledge of requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. With the exception of medication records, systems for keeping records on the children are generally used to promote their welfare. Records are stored confidentially in order to protect children and their families.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans a range of interesting activities that children enjoy across the development areas. However, activities are not linked to a successful planning and assessment system that identifies where children are at and ensures they are able to achieve as much progress as they can towards the early learning goals. Children are at home and settled in the setting. They clearly feel a secure sense of belonging, that is fostered by the childminder's warm and friendly interactions and they enjoy close relationships amongst themselves. Children gain important social opportunities and knowledge and an understanding of their community, as they regularly visit local toddler groups and go exploring within the local area.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is helping children to co-operate and share with others and to be This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 responsible. For example, children help to clear away after themselves and help set the table ready for meals. Children enjoy daily opportunities to be out in the fresh air, as they walk whenever it is possible. Children's health is not appropriately considered within policies and procedures because the childminder does not obtain written consent in order to administer medications to children. Also, the childminder is booked on first aid training in the near future, but has allowed her current qualification to expire.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's safety in the event of a fire is not promoted. Although the childminder has thought about how to escape safely in the event of a fire, she has not devised and practised an emergency escape plan, which was a recommendation following her last inspection. The childminder organises her home so that children can access areas used safely and choose from safe and suitable toys and activities that are organised to make them feel welcome. She does not conduct a risk assessment across the provision, that is reviewed regularly in line with requirements to ensure children's safety is fully considered at all times. The childminder has not informed Ofsted, as the regulator, of significant changes to her home, which has the potential to compromise the safety of the children and does not therefore meet with the welfare requirements. 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? 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

 take action as specified within the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 18/04/2009  take action as specified within the early years section of the report (Providing information to parents) 18/04/2009  take action as specified within the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 18/04/2009  take action as specified within the early years section of the report (Qualifications and training). 18/04/2009

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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 within the early years section of the report (Records to be kept) 18/04/2009  take action as specified within the early years section of the report (Providing information to parents) 18/04/2009  take action as specified within the early years section of the report (Suitability of Premises and Equipment) 18/04/2009  take action as specified within the early years section of the report (Qualifications and training). 18/04/2009

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