Childminder in Worcestershire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY362155 Inspection date 01/04/2010 Inspector Valerie Fane

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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 was registered in 2007. She lives with her husband on a smallholding situated in a rural village in between Bromyard, Malvern and Worcester. The whole of the ground floor of the property except for the lounge is used for childminding. Accessibility to the premises includes some steps. There is a garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has two dogs and two cats. There are also horses, sheep and chickens kept in the nearby fields.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child attending who is within the Early Years Foundation Stage, who attends on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and the compulsory 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

Children's safety and welfare are not suitably supported because of safety issues in the outdoor area and the unacceptable standards of hygiene that the childminder maintains indoors. Children settle well with the childminder and relate confidently to her. They make some progress but this is restricted because the childminder is not familiar with the six areas of learning and she has limited knowledge of how to plan and provide play opportunities that are matched to children's individual learning needs. The childminder knows individual children and their families well and she works closely with parents to ensure that she is familiar with children's daily routines such as sleep patterns but she does not consistently obtain all required documentation from parents before she begins minding. The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection because she has completed recent training but she has not completed the mandatory general training course for new

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

childminders. She has made limited improvements to her provision since beginning minding and she has not completed a thorough self-evaluation of her provision to identify the significant weaknesses in her provision.

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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?

 ensure that a childminder’s training course will be 15/04/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 completed at the earliest opportunity (Suitable people) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register)  ensure that children's health is promoted and that steps are taken to prevent the spread of infection. This particularly refers to the cleanliness of the premises (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 08/04/2010

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further?

 ensure that the outdoor area is safe for children with particular reference to the pond (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 15/04/2010

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further?

 gain knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements so that children are provided with an educational programme that will enable them to make progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning (Organisation) 15/04/2010

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further?

 provide a first aid box with appropriate contents to meet the needs of children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 15/04/2010

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further?

 conduct an annual risk assessment that includes aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and keep a record of these checks (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 15/04/2010

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further?

 ensure that the following information is recorded for each child: their name, address and date of birth and the name and address of every parent and carer who is known to the provider and which of these parents or carers the child normally lives with (Documentation). 15/04/2010

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve awareness of responsibilities under food hygiene legislation including registration with the Local Authority Environmental Health Department  improve the systems for the organisation of the setting to include effective procedures to evaluate the provision and identify areas for improvement  improve knowledge of the recording requirements for administering medicines to children.

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the early years provision

Children are protected from abuse because the childminder has attended recent training in safeguarding. She is therefore familiar with the possible signs of child abuse and she is aware of the procedures she would need to follow if she was to have concerns about a child in her care. The childminder supervises children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 closely but she has not ensured that they are safe and secure at all times. She has completed a basic risk assessment but this is not thorough. It does not identify hazards in the garden such as a pond cover that is not weight-bearing for people, an inadequately-fenced grass area or the need for regular cleaning in the home. No record is maintained of regular safety checks and the childminder has not registered with her Environmental Health department. The home, in particular the kitchen, is not maintained to a suitable level of cleanliness to support children's

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the early years provision

awareness of good hygiene or to ensure that they are protected from significant risk of infection. The childminder has forms for parents to complete that include all legally required information but she does not ensure that parents complete all sections or that they have signed the forms. She also does not consistently ensure that parents complete the forms before she begins minding their children.

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the early years provision

In other respects the childminder understands the importance of working in partnership with parents or carers. She talks to parents before she begins minding so that she gets to know children and their families and so that she is familiar with children's likes, dislikes and every day routines. She completes a diary for parents each day which tells parents about children's welfare and she gives them some information verbally about what children have been doing and learning. She understands the importance of working in partnership with outside agencies to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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the early years provision

Children use a range of age-appropriate toys and these are kept clean. Children's welfare and learning are not supported fully because the childminder has not developed her knowledge of childcare. She has not completed the mandatory training course provided by the local authority for all new childminders. She has made little improvement to her service since registration, she does not have a clear vision to develop her provision and she has not carried out a self-evaluation of her practice to ensure that all of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements are met or to identify areas for future development.

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and outcomes for children

Children settle well with the childminder and relate confidently to her. They behave well because she is calm and has clear expectations for their behaviour. However, they potentially develop a false sense of their own security because of the safeguarding concerns detailed elsewhere in the report. Babies sleep and eat according to their needs and parents' wishes because the childminder finds out about their daily routines from parents and follows these. They settle to sleep easily because the childminder is aware of their preferred sleeping position and comforter. If children speak English as an additional language the childminder is aware of the need to obtains some words in their first language to support their development of English. She has some understanding of the need to support all children's awareness of different cultures.

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and outcomes for children

In some respects children develop a good awareness of healthy lifestyles because they spend plenty of time outside in the fresh air. There is suitable play equipment, such as a large climbing frame, available for older children. They eat This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 food provided by their parents but their health is compromised because the childminder does not maintain an appropriate standard of cleanliness in her kitchen when she is reheating food. The childminder is currently only minding a young baby but she understands the importance of supporting older children's awareness of healthy eating through activities such as helping to grow their own vegetables. Children learn hygiene routines such as wiping their hands before eating but they are not adequately protected from cross-infection because of the lack of cleanliness in the home. Their welfare is potentially compromised in the event of

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and outcomes for children

needing medication because the childminder has not fully understood the requirement to obtain prior written consent for each and every medicine that she may need administer. Children's care in the event of an accident is also compromised because the childminder does not maintain a fully-stocked first aid box.

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and outcomes for children

Children make some progress because the childminder tries to provide a broad range of learning opportunities. However, she has not become familiar with the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is not aware of the six areas of learning that she should be covering in her planning for children's play and activities. She does not fully understand how to observe and assess children's progress or how to use the assessments to identify their learning priorities. Children's opportunities to develop skills for the future are therefore also limited.

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and outcomes for children

Babies play with age-appropriate toys. However, the plastic play mat does not provide a comfortable environment or provide them with opportunities to explore a variety of textures. They self-select from the toys offered by the childminder and enthusiastically play with a favourite plastic spider. They develop hand control and learn to operate toys as they try to pull the string to make the spider move. They try to turn the knobs and pull the ribbon on the large yellow teddy bear. The childminder develops children's language by talking to them as they play and she tries to foster a love of reading by encouraging them to sit and look at a book with her. Babies learn about the surrounding countryside because they are taken for regular walks in their pram and the childminder shows them objects of interest such as the cows and daffodils or the newborn lambs. She supports their early awareness of number by helping them count things they see. The childminder

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and outcomes for children

understands the need to provide age-appropriate activities for older children if she starts caring for older children of pre-school age. 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 4 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 4 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

 ensure that children receiving childcare are kept safe from harm: this refers to the cleanliness of the premises (Welfare of the children being cared for) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 08/04/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Qualifications and training) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 15/04/2010

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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 and equipment) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 15/04/2010

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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 and equipment) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 15/04/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure that there is a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 15/04/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 maintain the following information: the name, home address and date of birth of each child who is looked after on the premises, and the name, home address and telephone number of a parent/guardian/carer of each child who is looked after on the premises (Records to be kept) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 15/04/2010

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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 compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Welfare of the children being cared 08/04/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for)  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Qualifications and training) 15/04/2010

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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 and equipment) 15/04/2010

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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 and equipment) 15/04/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 15/04/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Records to be kept). 15/04/2010

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