Childminder in Barnet

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

p.1

Unique reference number EY222632 Inspection date 09/07/2009 Inspector Anneliese Fox-Jones

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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). This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and five of her children aged between six years and 20 years in the London borough of Barnet; four of their grown up children have left home. Children only use the dedicated playroom on the ground floor and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The provision is easily accessible. A maximum of three hours care is provided in the morning. The family have a pet rabbit.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age range. When working with an assistant, together they can care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently six children on roll in the early years age range.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate. The childminder is caring towards children and she creates a welcoming and friendly environment. However, children's welfare is not promoted well because the childminder has limited knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The monitoring and self-evaluation of the provision is not well established to sufficiently identify areas needing improvements. Gaps in knowledge and many systems to safeguard children's welfare and to meet individual needs are not sufficiently robust which hampers the quality and consistency of care. Nevertheless, effective relationships have been formed with parents. Arrangements are adequate in promoting children's learning and development. However, children's inclusion in the activities and life of the setting is weak because the childminder does not have a clear understanding of how to plan and provide for their individual needs

p.3

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.

p.3

further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

p.3

further?

 ensure public liability insurance for the provision is in place (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 31/07/2009  conduct a risk assessment and review it regularly, ensuring that it covers all aspects of the environment that need to be checked regularly (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 31/07/2009  develop knowledge and understanding about the early learning goals to ensure that all areas are delivered through planned, purposeful play, with a balance of 31/07/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 adult-led and child-initiated activities (Learning and development)  make systematic observations and assessments of each child's achievements, interests and learning styles matched to the early learning goals in order to plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child. (Learning and development) 31/07/2009 To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.3

further?

 develop a culture of reflection and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality for all children  develop knowledge on child protection in order to have an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children issues and be able to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedures appropriately.

p.4

provision

The childminder has not organised and managed her provision sufficiently well to ensure compliance with the EYFS requirements for the welfare and education of children. Whilst she ensures most areas used by the children are suitably maintained and are safe, she has not conducted a risk assessment to assist her in managing any hazards and consequently may put children at risk. She also does not have public liability insurance, which is a specific legal requirement. However, most other records needed for the safe running of the provision is in place. For example, the childminder is aware to maintain appropriate accident and medication records and obtains permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment or advice.

p.4

provision

Children are generally protected and safeguarded in the setting. The childminder's knowledge and understanding of what to do if she has concerns about a child is adequate to protect children, although she has been unable to update her knowledge in this area for some time. The childminder is kind and caring towards children she cares for. However, she has little understanding of the requirements of the Foundation Stage and is therefore unable to fully meet their individual needs. Her ability to reflect on her practice and identify areas which are strengths or weaknesses are limited. Consequently, she has been unable to make beneficial improvement to children's care and learning. Nevertheless, a recommendation from the last inspection has been tackled. For example, ensuring children have a comfortable area in the playroom to relax.

p.4

provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are satisfactory. Parents are given sufficient verbal information about the childminder's service. The childminder ensures she obtains relevant information from parents regarding children's needs to ensure they receive appropriate care. Parents and carers are informally updated about their children's achievements and activities they are involved in through daily chats with the childminder or her assistant. However, there are no effective systems for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 carefully monitoring children's achievements in relation to their starting points and capabilities, and keeping parents informed of their ongoing progress.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and familiar in the setting. They settle quickly to play and enjoy a selection of activities which support some aspects of their learning. However, many of their welfare needs are not sufficiently met, largely because the childminder does not have a secure knowledge of the EYFS. Nevertheless, children are building secure relationship with the childminder and her assistant who are kind and gentle in approach. Some aspects of children's health are promoted through washing their hands before meals, their ability to eat in comfort and some opportunities to be active outdoors. Children receive an appropriate diet which is provided by their parents. They have opportunities to develop some physical skills when they have access to outdoor play. They enjoy playing skittles and manoeuvring the toy car in the playroom. Consequently, they are beginning to develop an understanding about being healthy.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Generally, children are also learning about keeping themselves safe as they listen to the childminder's gentle reminders to be careful, and to be aware of road safety when crossing the road with their parents to get to their cars. Children are generally safe in the setting because the childminder maintains some safety precautions such as a stair gate on entry to the playroom and talking about fire evacuation procedures with the children, although this is compromised by other weaknesses in the provision. Children behave well in the setting. The childminder uses appropriate ways to manage and encourage suitable behaviour such as redirecting children or singing to encourage children to be kind and nice to each other. There is a nice emphasis on acknowledging children's efforts and positive behaviour through praise. As a result children gain confidence and self-esteem.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are beginning to develop appropriate skills in communication, language and literacy. The childminder supports this appropriately by listening to them and prompting them with questions. Many of the activities which the children enjoy and led by them. For example, they like to play in the imaginative kitchen area, sitting in the toy car or making marks with chalk and crayons. Children experience activities which promote some learning across most of the six areas. However, observation, assessment and planning is not well established, so the childminder is not well informed about how to plan activities which build on children's interests and how to provide for the children's next steps in their learning. Despite this children enjoy socialising with other children. Children are able to express themselves creatively and use their imaginations as they participate in dressing up and in a variety of art and craft activities. They are able to develop some role play

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

situations out of the resources available to them, they delight in using the play kitchen, in particular pressing the cause and effect toy kettle and building a castle with construction resources. The childminder interacts positively with the children, she sits on the floor with them and responds to their suggestions in their play. She enthusiastically encourages children to sing and dance, as the music plays continuously in the background throughout the session. Children access some This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 resources which reflect positive images, although they are primarily learning about their own Jewish festivals and culture. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.7

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

p.7

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 4 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 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?

p.7

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

p.7