Childminder in Durham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY396801 Inspection date 21/01/2010 Inspector Donna Suzanne Lancaster

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 has been registered since July 2009. She lives with her husband and her son aged eight years in Ferryhill, County Durham. Children have access to the ground floor and the playroom on the first floor of the home. Bathroom facilities are also situated on the first floor. There is a rear yard for outdoor play. The home is close to local amenities, including shops, schools, pre-schools and parks. The family has two terrapins.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. She is currently caring for four children, of whom three are in the early years age group. The childminder operates for 50 weeks of the year, Monday to Friday from 7am till 6pm, however, this is negotiable with parents. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 creates a friendly, caring and inclusive environment in which children are happy and secure. Sufficient information regarding children's care is obtained from parents and daily communication is exchanged. However, the information shared is not focused on children’s learning and development. Some of the required documentation is in place and although the childminder assesses risks, the written record of risk assessments does not contain enough detail. The childminder does not have effective procedures in place to monitor and evaluate her provision. As a result, she has not kept fully up-to-date with all of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and has breached some of the legal requirements.

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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?

 request written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment (Promoting good health) 04/02/2010

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further?

 develop the record of risk assessments to clearly state when they were carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment & equipment) 04/02/2010

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further?

 increase knowledge and understanding of the learning 04/02/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and development requirements and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and comply fully with these to develop and improve practice (Organisation)  ensure that there is a daily record of children's hours of attendance (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 04/02/2010

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 practise a fire evacuation with the children to raise their awareness of the procedure to follow in the event of an emergency  develop ways to help children begin to explore and question differences in ethnicity, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities  develop procedures to promote reflective practice and self-evaluation, and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Some documentation required for the safe and effective management of the setting is in place and stored securely to promote confidentiality. For example, medication and accident books and details of children's information are kept. However, written permission has not been obtained for seeking emergency medical advice and treatment, and the daily attendance register is not always maintained. These are both breaches of requirements. Children are suitably safeguarded as the childminder has an appropriate understanding of her role regarding child protection. She has a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures to refer to in the event of a concern. The childminder has an appropriate range of safety equipment in place and maintains close supervision of the children. This is supported by basic risk assessments. However, these do not include when an assessment was carried out, by whom and what action needs to be taken, if any,

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the early years provision

to ensure that children remain safe both indoors and when on outings. This does not effectively safeguard children and is a breach of the specific legal requirements.

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the early years provision

Satisfactory use is made of space and resources to promote care and learning. The childminder's home is welcoming to all, clean and maintained to good standards. A satisfactory range of accessible, good quality toys help to promote children's independence. However, opportunities and resources to extend children's awareness of diversity and differences are limited.

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the early years provision

The childminder has suitable arrangements to work with parents to help support children's health and care needs. She ensures that she has relevant information about children's personal and contact details to enable her to meet individual needs. However, there is no clear system for monitoring children's achievements and keeping parents informed of their progress. The childminder has suitable arrangements in place with other providers of the EYFS that children attend. For example, she receives information about what children are doing in school and she This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 tries to follow themes and topics at home. The childminder monitors her practice through discussion with parents but is not yet using any other form of self- evaluation to help her identify areas for improvement and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and content in the childminder's care. She provides a warm, welcoming and caring environment in which all children and families are welcomed. Children enjoy a variety of resources and activities which meet their interests, age and stage of development. The childminder knows the children well and they are confident and secure in her care. The childminder has familiarised herself with the learning and development requirements of the EYFS framework. As a result, she has a sufficient understanding of how to progress children's learning. However, she has not yet implemented any procedures to comply fully with the requirements. For example, effective systems for observing, assessing children's development and planning activities which are challenging and enjoyable experiences across all areas of learning are not yet in place. This does not help children's progression towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Some activities are undertaken to help children's development. Children are developing communication, literacy and language skills as they look at interactive books with the childminder and vocalise happily as they play. Children communicate with gestures, actions and noises to let the childminder know when they are hungry and tired. Children enjoy pressing and turning buttons on the musical activities and clap their hands when they have successfully completed these. With some help from the childminder they attempt to fit shapes into the shape sorter. While doing this, the childminder talks about colours, shapes and how many there are. The childminder raises children's knowledge and understanding of the world by going out in the local environment, for example, on walks in the village and trips to the local parks.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder interacts well with the children, providing regular praise and encouragement to promote self-esteem. Consistent behaviour management techniques, such as distraction and discussion, help children begin to learn right from wrong. They are also beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, they talk about road safety and stranger danger. However, children have not yet practised a fire evacuation of the premises. Therefore, children are not aware of how to get out of the house in an emergency. Parents provide younger children's meals which are stored suitably. Drinks are offered at regular times to prevent the children from dehydrating. Young children are beginning to be aware of following good hygiene routines as the childminder acts as a good role model. She encourages children to wash their hands at appropriate times, while babies' hands and faces are washed with baby wipes.

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and outcomes for children

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 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 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 (Records to be kept). 04/02/2010

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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 (Records to be kept). 04/02/2010

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