Childminder in Westmorland and Furness

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 317251 Inspection date 25/11/2009 Inspector Diane Roberts

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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 was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and adult child in Greystoke, Cumbria. Close to parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor, except for the conservatory is used for childminding. Minded children also have use of an upstairs bedroom and bathroom. There is an enclosed area of the rear garden available for outside play. The childminder has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding seven children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and goes to toddler groups regularly.

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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 has not taken reasonable steps to become familiar with the content of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. This means, she does not put into practice, nor does she meet all of, the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements, to benefit children’s learning and development. To some extent, children's unique qualities, learning and development milestones are known. However, this information is not used sufficiently to enhance individual learning needs. The childminder does not reflect on her practice, to improve her provision, thereby the capacity for improvement is weak. Partnerships with other settings that children attend is not in place, as the childminder is unaware of this obligation, so children's information is not shared to enhance continuity in their care and learning. There are several breaches to the specific legal requirements of the Statutory Framework, for the Early Years

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Foundation Stage and to the conditions of registration.

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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?

 put in place a written procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and keep a written record of any complaints and their outcome 31/12/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  make sure a current paediatric first aid certificate is held and the first aid box has appropriate content to meet the needs of children 31/12/2009

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further?

 make sure there is a robust system in place to inform Ofsted of any change of persons of 16 years or over living on the premises, or significant changes or events relating to the premises on which childcare is provided 31/12/2009

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further?

 make sure a full risk assessment is carried out for each specific outing, including visits to relatives. Conduct a risk assessment of the childminding premises and review it regularly. Make sure it identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and records are maintained of these particular aspects and when and whom they have been checked 31/12/2009

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further?

 make sure there is a balance of adult led, freely chosen and child-initiated activities, delivered through indoor and outdoor play. Make sure sensitive observational assessment is undertaken to plan to meet children’s individual needs and provide experiences which are appropriate to each child’s stage of development, as they progress towards the early learning goals 31/12/2009

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further?

 make sure records are easily accessible and available for inspection by Ofsted. 31/12/2009

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the early years provision

Safeguarding children is not given the utmost priority by the childminder. Policies, strategies and procedures are insufficiently clear to ensure the safeguarding and welfare of all children. All the required duties and requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage Statutory Framework are not met. For instance, there is no complaint procedure in place. This is a breach of specific legal requirements. The childminder lacks awareness of child protection issues or how to implement appropriate procedures. She failed to inform Ofsted with regard to changes to residents on the premises and significant changes to her home, including the areas used for childminding. This is a breach of specific legal requirements. On the whole, steps taken by the childminder to keep children safe within the home are effective, as indoor space and toys are suitable and safe, for their age and stage of development. However, risk assessments are not in place for the premises or for

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the early years provision

outings children undertake, such as, daily visits to the home of the childminder’s mother. This is a breach of specific legal requirements. The childminder has made little effort to tackle recommendations made at her last inspection in terms of improved outcomes for children. For example, she is unable to produce a valid first aid certificate and the first aid box is incomplete, in that it does not contain disposable gloves. This is a breach in regulations and presents a risk to children, as is shows the childminder does not have up-to-date first aid knowledge. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Attendance records are in place and the childminder engages well with parents enjoying friendly relationships with them. Comments from parents about the service are positive, as they recognise the childminder is caring towards their children. The childminder generally gains sufficient information about children's

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the early years provision

care and makes sure that parents are informed verbally about their child’s day at her home. However, information supplied about children's learning and development is weak. The childminder takes satisfactory steps to promote equality and diversity, so children and families feel included in the setting and children are helped to value differences in society. However, the childminder is unaware of her obligation to establish working relationships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, to exchange information, to advantage children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has very little knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, has no priorities for developing her practice and there are no systems in place for evaluating the quality of her provision. This means, the childminder is not striving for continuous improvement to provide high quality care and education for children. This shows her commitment to continuous improvement and driving improvements is weak, especially as training opportunities have not been accessed for children's benefit. The childminder does however, have a reasonable amount of play resources and uses local children’s groups to give children a variety of enjoyable experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed and settled, enjoying warm relationships with the childminder in a homely setting. They make friends with the childminder and other children, showing care for one another. They learn to share and behave considerately, thus developing important skills for the future. Children are beginning to learn about the world around them, as they regularly go for walks and visit children in the village. This helps to develop their understanding about their locality and community. They are developing skills for the future through regular conversations, promoting their communication skills. Children enjoy learning to make marks in material, such as play-dough, safely negotiating small cutting wheels and plastic knives, demonstrating their developing physical skills. They imaginatively talk about making images of lions and crocodiles, as they play and gain knowledge and understanding of the world, through opportunities to enjoy books and play with

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and outcomes for children

multicultural equipment. However, the childminder has a lack of understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and does not observe and assess children's progress sufficiently, to plan for children's individual learning needs. This means, although some activity provision covers a range of learning areas and gives children enjoyable play experience, the planning of activities is generally unrelated to individual needs and does not consider areas of learning in any systematic way.

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and outcomes for children

Children generally behave in ways that are safe for themselves and others. For instance, they only need reminding once to remember that they are not to stand on chairs. They are taught about keeping safe through stories and discussions about road safety when out and about. Children have a healthy lifestyle, as they are cared for in a clean home and encouraged to wash their hands before eating. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They have regular opportunities to enjoy physical activity walking into the village, the local parks or visits to the recycling area, to recycle plastics and paper. 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 4 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 4 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 4 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children)(also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 31/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability to care for children, or have regular contact with)(also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 31/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises)(also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 31/12/2009

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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 (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 31/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability to care for children, or have regular contact with) 31/12/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises). 31/12/2009

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