Bolham First School

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 128690 Inspection date 01/07/2010 Inspector Pamela Bailey

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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 1991. She lives with her husband and two adult children in the London borough of Lewisham, close to shops, schools, parks and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

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

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She takes children to the local children's centre, library and park.

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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 does not promote all aspects of children's welfare, learning and development effectively, overall. Children are not always adequately challenged in all areas of their development and in addition to this, the childminder is in breach of several of the specific legal requirements. Not all processes are in place to ensure an effective working partnership with parents and others. Self-evaluation does not provide the childminder with an accurate appraisal of her provision, therefore she has failed to identify a number of significant issues. As a result, plans for the future are limited and not well targeted to bring about continuous improvements to the provision and outcomes for children.

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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?

 observe children effectively and ensure that observations are used appropriately to help children make progress from birth towards the early learning goals (Assessment arrangements) 15/07/2010

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further?

 develop knowledge and understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against any person living, working, or looking after 15/07/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children at the premises (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare)  develop a procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 15/07/2010

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further?

 obtain from parents necessary information about emergency contact numbers and obtain and record information from parents about children's dietary needs (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 15/07/2010

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further?

 take reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children both indoors and outdoors are kept to a minimum (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 15/07/2010

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further?

 plan and organise systems to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to meet their individual needs (Organisation). 15/07/2010

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve hygiene practices in order to prevent cross infection  gain information about children's needs with regards to religion or culture in order to help the child acknowledge their own culture and see it as important  improve the range of resources that reflect positive images of disability to help children to learn to value aspects of their own and other people's lives  develop effective systems with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage for a child or group of children to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care  develop systems for parents to become meaningfully involved in the self- evaluation process and actively involved in their children's learning in order to fully promote continuity and progression.

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the early years provision

The childminder lacks secure knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder does not fully understand her responsibilities to protect and safeguard children's welfare. She has an insufficient knowledge of the procedures to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against any person living, working, or looking after children at the premises as approved by the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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the early years provision

Most of the required records are in place. The childminder keeps a record of risk assessments. However, the risk assessment of the childminder's home is ineffective as little action has been taken to manage or eliminate some risks to children. This compromises children's safety. For example, sharp knives stored in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 low level drawers and dangerous substances stored in low level cupboards in the kitchen are easily accessible to the children. There is ivy growing along the garden fence which is easily accessible to the children. The childminder is unable to identify what type of ivy this is. The childminder provides a sufficient range of equipment and resources both inside and out, some of which depict positive images of different cultures and gender, but to a lesser extent, disability. The daily routine ensures children learn about the environment through visits to local

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the early years provision

amenities such as parks, toddler groups and library.

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the early years provision

The childminder is unaware of the procedures to be followed if a parent makes a complaint. This means that parents are not provided with sufficient information about the complaints procedures. Parents are kept informed about their child's well-being and achievements through daily discussions, a daily contact book, photographs and videos. However, the childminder does not ensure that she obtains necessary information from parents about emergency contact numbers or children's dietary needs. Furthermore, the childminder does not seek sufficient information from parents and carers with regard to their culture or religion so that she can help children to acknowledge their culture and see it as important. The childminder's systems for observations and assessments of children's progress are not rigorous enough to track individual learning or used to support children's learning and development in order to fully promote continuity and progression.

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the early years provision

Plans are basic and do not indicate support or learning intentions for each child. The childminder has not introduced arrangements for parents to become actively involved in their children's learning or become meaningfully involved in the self- evaluation process. Although the childminder seeks the views of the parents in regard to the care and learning in the form of a parent questionnaire, suggestions made by parents are not used effectively to support children's well-being. Channels of communication with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to the children are poorly developed.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection, the childminder has achieved a professional early years qualification and has attended several training courses such as safeguarding children, health and safety, food hygiene and getting ready for Ofsted, self- evaluation form. The childminder is seeking to attend further childcare training. Nonetheless, the action that has been taken has too little impact on the children's welfare and their learning and development. Self-evaluation fails to identify a number of significant issues. The strengths and weaknesses of the provision are not identified accurately. As a result, the childminder is unable to implement suitable plans and set targets effectively to improve outcomes for children across the provision.

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and outcomes for children

Children's learning and development is not fully promoted across all areas towards the early learning goals. Children are settled. They generally display confidence and show an interest in their surroundings. They are beginning to form relationships with adults and are able to make choices from the equipment and resources that are readily available to them. However, the childminder does not This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 actively support and encourage learning or challenge children effectively. Early communication skills is not sufficiently encouraged. Children enthusiastically press on books that make sounds at the touch of a button and show their enjoyment through smiles, making sounds and bouncing up and down. However, much of this reaction is short lived due to the childminder's lack of positive interaction. The childminder missed several opportunities to encourage children to learn new

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and outcomes for children

words, sing or join in action rhymes during activities such as looking at books, role play with dolls or when generally exploring the resources and during routines. The childminder does not spend enough time talking to the children or positively acknowledging their means of communication whether through actions or sounds.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with opportunities to play indoors or outdoors throughout the day. Outdoors, they enjoy the warm weather and fresh air gaining appropriate physical skills. Young children are supported to use the climbing equipment and play with soft balls. Older children have their own garden patch where they grow a range of different vegetables such as pumpkin, sweet potato, cabbage and broccoli. Thus, learning to take care of living things. Young children receive healthy meals and snacks provided by their parents and receive plenty of water. This helps them to develop healthy eating habits from a young age. However, children's health is not sufficiently maintained in other areas. For example, they are not protected from cross infection because of the childminder's own poor hygiene practices. The childminder repeatedly use the same tissue for a runny nose. She does not dispose of the tissue or wash her hands after the process of attending to

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and outcomes for children

the child's needs. Babies who are beginning to feed themselves are not supported to wash their hands before eating snacks of finger foods or at mealtimes. Children have limited opportunities to practise emergency evacuation so that they become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency. 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 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

 keep and implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (Arrangements for safeguarding children) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 15/07/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment immediately, where the need for an assessment arises and ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise any identified risks (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 15/07/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep and implement 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) 15/07/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 15/07/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 make the following information available to parents: copies of the written statements of safeguarding procedures and complaints procedures (Providing information to parents) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 15/07/2010

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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 under the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Arrangements for safeguarding) (Suitability and safety of premises and 15/07/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 equipment) (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (Providing information to parents).

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