Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY293592 Inspection date 23/09/2009 Inspector Sarah Measures

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged 13 and 9 years in the village of Broughton in Northamptonshire. The house is close to all village amenities. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder's house is accessed via a step to the front door. The childminder may care for up to five children on the Early Years Register. She may also care for older children on the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has links with local schools and pre-schools. She has support from the Local Authority.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder lacks a secure understanding of how to use the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure the individual needs of all children are met. Children are welcomed into the childminder's home, and she works co-operatively with parents in order to ensure she has a general understanding of their needs. However, policies and procedures do not ensure all welfare requirements are met and do not enable children to make secure progress towards the early learning goals. There is no system of self-reflection that enables the childminder to identify weaknesses in the provision for children. The provision for continuous improvement is not secure therefore.

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The 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?

 improve arrangements for assessing the children in order to plan effectively for their progress towards the early learning goals in relation to their starting points, capabilities and interests (Assessment arrangements) 23/10/2009

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment that clearly identifies all aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and that demonstrates how children have safe access to the trampoline outside and to the outdoor play equipment (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 30/09/2009

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further?

 make sure that the fire blanket is suitably located and easily accessible in the event of a fire (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 24/09/2009

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further?

 implement an effective policy about ensuring equality 30/09/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of opportunities, with particular regard to meeting any cultural or religious needs (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare)  make sure that Ofsted is notified of any change of the persons aged 16 years or older living on the childminding premises (Suitability of adults) 24/09/2009

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and introduce an effective system of self-evaluation in order to ensure every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to meet their individual needs.

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the early years provision

Although children are generally safeguarded within the setting, improvements are necessary to fully ensure their safety within the setting. The childminder has a secure knowledge of child protection issues and has suitable policies and procedures to follow to protect children from abuse if necessary. Secure procedures are in place to ensure children are safely collected by an appropriate person and to ensure children's protection in the event of them not being collected. The childminder shares information with parents as to how to make a complaint to Ofsted if they wish, in order to offer a safe and transparent service for parents and children. The childminder conducts written risk assessments across the provision, however her assessments are basic and do not identify all hazards to children. The childminder has not informed Ofsted of changes to persons living at the premises in order to meet with requirements and fully ensure children's

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the early years provision

protection. The childminder carries out regular fire practices with the children, but she keeps the fire blanket in its wrapper to the back of a door in the kitchen which means it is not easily accessible in the event of an emergency. This does not appropriately protect children in the event of a fire. The childminder lacks familiarity with the Early Years Foundation Stage and its requirements. She has no effective tool to evaluate her practice and drive forward improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home and routines so that children feel welcome and so that they have good space to play and choice of activities. Children use good quality toys and equipment that promote their independence and meet their developmental needs. The childminder communicates regularly with parents who value and appreciate the care that she provides. Parents are kept informed of children's well-being and of activities they have been involved in, in order to help promote continuity of children's care. However, there is no effective policy to ensure an inclusive provision for children. This is because the childminder does not attempt to identify or discuss all significant issues that may affect their welfare. For example, the childminder does not discuss or have any means of identifying any religious or cultural needs or beliefs that children may have. This potentially compromises children's ability to feel valued and respected within the setting.

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the early years provision

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

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and at home within the setting. This is because they have secure relationships with the childminder who has a general understanding of child development. However, her lack of familiarity with the learning and development requirements means that she is not able to offer children a secure educational programme in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has started a system of observing the children and assessing their progress. Whilst some purposeful observations are noted, the observations and assessments do not demonstrate children's achievements and progress in relation to all areas of their development. This also means that the childminder is not able to share good quality information with parents and other settings that may be involved in children's care. Children take part in activities that cover all of the development areas, however their progress towards the early learning goals is restricted

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and outcomes for children

because activities are not planned around their individual learning needs. The childminder does not ascertain children's starting points or use appropriately guidance to plan effectively for the next steps in their development. The provision to meet children's individual needs and for them to make as much progress as they can is further compromised because the childminder does not obtain sufficient information to take into account any diverse needs and backgrounds.

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and outcomes for children

Children adopt healthy lifestyles as they have regular opportunities to enjoy outdoor play in the childminder's garden and as they visit local parks. They have good space to play in the childminder's garden and they have opportunities to extend and develop their physical skills as they use challenging equipment available at the local parks. Young children learn the difference between right and wrong from an early age because the childminder has clear boundaries and uses consistent methods to encourage good behaviour. Children feel safe within the setting because of their relationships with the childminder and because of the way she organised her home to meet their needs. However, the use of the trampoline in the garden and the large play equipment is insufficiently risk assessed in order to show how potential accidents are kept to a minimum. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 4

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 4 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 4 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 4

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Stage

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

 ensure that the premises and equipment used for the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable for that childcare (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 30/09/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure that the childcare is accessible and inclusive by taking all reasonable steps to ensure that the needs of each child, relating to any religious or cultural needs are met (How the childcare provision is organised) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 30/09/2009

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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 compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) 30/09/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified within the compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report (How the childcare provision is organised) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 30/09/2009

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