Childminder in WarringtonOfsted inspection, 10 Jun 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY245696 Inspection date 10/06/2010 Inspector Debra Elizabeth Jean Dahlstrom

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and school age child. They live in a house in Whitecross, Warrington, close to shops, parks, schools and pre-schools. The living room and playroom on the ground floor are used for childminding with toilet facilities also provided on the ground floor.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding six children, three of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The family has a dog, who lives in a kennel to the rear of the home and has very limited access to the children. There are a number of other small animals in the home which also have contact with the children.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is inadequate.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder recognises all children are different so is able to adequately meet most of their welfare needs. However, a number of significant welfare requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage are not being met. Although children are offered a range of activities and outings that interest them, the childminder does not have adequate knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. As a consequence, she is not able to support or extend children's learning to make sufficient progress, which results in an inadequate judgement overall. Friendly relationships with parents and others involved in children's care, help the childminder to care for them. The childminder has not specifically targeted any strengths or weaknesses in order to improve outcomes for children.

p.4

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.

p.4

further?

To comply with the requirements of the EYFS the registered person must take the following action by the specified date:

p.4

further?

 conduct a risk assessment that indentifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis; maintain a record of these particular aspects, including outings and when and by whom they have been checked (Suitable premises,environment and 24/06/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register)  develop knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework in order to plan and provide experiences which are appropriate to each child's stage of development as they progress towards the early learning goals (Organisation) 24/06/2010

p.4

further?

 undertake sensitive observational assessments in order to plan to meet young children's individual needs (Organisation) 24/06/2010

p.5

further?

 put in place a safeguarding procedure to share with parents and also for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents, and keep a written record of complaints and their outcome (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 24/06/2010

p.5

further?

 ensure those assistants left in sole charge of children have appropriate first aid training (Qualifications, training, knowledge and skills) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 24/06/2010

p.5

the early years provision

Overall, safeguarding of children is inadequate. The childminder is aware of her responsibility to keep children safe from abuse or harm but does not have sufficient knowledge of safeguarding procedures for them to be fully effective. She has safety features within the home, such as carbon monoxide and smoke detectors, and supervises children and explains to them about potential hazards. However, any outings, or the premises and equipment children come into contact with, have not been fully assessed for risk, and recorded. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which she is able to use in the event of a medical emergency. Her husband, as her assistant, does not, and may at times have sole charge of children. These are breaches of legal requirements and compromise safety.

p.5

the early years provision

Children move around the childminder's home freely, making use of a suitable range of toys and equipment. They are able to access their favoured toys and activities as the childminder knows what each child likes and makes these available. Attractive child-size furniture and low-level animal-shaped coat pegs, help to create a sense of belonging as children can hang up their coats and bags.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder does not evaluate her work and any small improvements to her service have limited impact, overall, upon outcomes for children. The childminder has sufficiently met two out of the five recommendations raised at the last inspection. She now makes fresh fruit available daily for all children, in order to promote healthy food choices, and has increased her range of toys and resources that reflect diversity. However, the following remaining recommendations are not met. There is still no effective complaints procedure and children do not undertake This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regular evacuation drills. Finally, the childminder has not developed her knowledge of an early years framework in order to support and extend children's learning, to help them reach their potential.

p.5

the early years provision

A strength of the childminder is the flexible hours offered to parents. In turn, parents appreciate this, as well as the warm welcome given to their children by the childminder's whole family. Relationships are supported through daily discussions, keeping parents suitably informed about their child's day and welfare. Partnerships with other settings are longstanding, although, they are not fully effective, as only limited information about children's progress and learning is shared.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminders care. Her caring approach enables them to feel secure as warm and trusting relationships are formed. Children look forward to the arrival of their friends and take turns, playing cooperatively together. The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of children's individual needs, to ensure each child is suitably cared for. She has appropriate skills to support many aspects of their welfare, as she listens to them and offers a suitable range of activities which interest them. However, as she doesn't know about areas of learning nor undertakes regular observations, she is not in a position to plan for children's next steps. As a result, children do not make sufficient progress in developing skills for their future learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a home that is adequately cleaned and maintained. They learn about suitable hygiene procedures, for example, children wash their hands before meal times or after handling animals. Meal times are lively and happy social occasions as children talk about current events in their lives, or what they would like to eat today from the suitable range on offer. The childminder encourages them to, 'eat sandwiches first', before their fruit and yoghurts. This message is evidently conveyed daily, as, jokingly, a parent who arrives to drop off her child confirms.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Although space is limited within the home, the childminder has worked hard to create areas for children to use in the designated playroom. Most toys and equipment are at low level for children to access easily. In poor weather, children use electronic games to follow simple dance routines to be active indoors, or in better weather they visit the local park for more adventurous play. Creative activities are popular in the home with all the children; for example, they cover pre-cut and shaped card with assorted letters to make good wishes messages which they take home to their families. Younger children enjoy looking at books. They like to sit with the childminder and look at the pictures of their favourite trucks or trains. Baking activities, such as making jam tarts, provide opportunities for counting and physical skills, for example, by spooning or mixing the ingredients together.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Friendly partnerships with parents support children's well-being. Parents speak or This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 write positively about the childminder's service and how she readily values and respects their beliefs in raising their children. Her willingness to provide long hours and, where possible, follow the individual routines of the children, makes for flexible working relationships. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

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

p.8

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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 4

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.9

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.

p.9

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:

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 24/06/2010

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Providing information to parents) 24/06/2010

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 24/06/2010

p.9

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:

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 24/06/2010

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Providing information to parents) 24/06/2010

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for). 24/06/2010

p.9