Childminder in DarlingtonOfsted inspection, 24 May 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 301100 Inspection date 24/05/2010 Inspector Julie Morrison

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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 1994. She lives with her husband and two adult sons in Darlington. The family has a pet dog. The whole of the ground floor, except the conservatory, and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. There is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder cares for children on weekdays from 8am to 5.30pm for 48 weeks of the year.

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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 group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder currently has nine children on roll, of whom five are in the early years age group. She collects children from the local school and nursery and attends toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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 provides a friendly environment, where children are generally happy and settled. She implements appropriate procedures to gather information from parents in order to meet children's individual care needs and create an inclusive environment. However, she does not have effective procedures in place to monitor and evaluate her provision. As a result, she has not kept up-to-date with the some of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has not implemented procedures to effectively promote children's progress towards the early learning goals and has breached some of the specific 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?

 plan and provide experiences which are appropriate to each child’s stage of development (Organisation) 05/07/2010

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further?

 undertake sensitive observational assessments in order to plan to meet young children’s individual needs (Organisation) 05/07/2010

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further?

 implement procedures to ensure that parents are kept informed of all relevant information, including the complaints procedure. (Safeguarding and welfare) 14/06/2010

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  promote effective continuity and progression by sharing relevant information about children's learning and development with other provisions and parents  develop procedures to promote reflective practice, self-evaluation and identify priorities for development to improve outcomes for children  develop further opportunities for children to use information and communication technology to support their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has adequate procedures in place to gather and record relevant information required in order to meet children's individual needs, such as children's details, consents and medication. She demonstrates a suitable understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse, including procedures to follow should she have any concerns. This ensures that children are appropriately safeguarded in her care. The childminder promotes children's safety inside and outside of the home. For example, she keeps external doors locked and young children are securely strapped into pushchairs while on outings. A record of risk assessments for the home, garden and outings further help to ensure children's safety. The childminder holds an up-to-date first aid certificate and has obtained consent from parents to obtain emergency medical treatment. This ensures she could respond quickly and appropriately in an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder has positively addressed most of the recommendations raised at the previous inspection. For example, children practise regular fire drills and all certificates are available for inspection. She has developed her resources to promote children awareness of diversity, however, activities to support this are still limited. The childminder does not use any systems to self-evaluate or reflect on her practice. Consequently, she is not aware of her areas for development and has not kept up-to-date with some of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which does not promote outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder meets with parents at the beginning to discuss how she works and gather sufficient information in order to meet children's individual needs. However, she has not developed procedures to ensure that all legally required information, such as the complaints procedure, is shared with them. This does not meet the specific legal requirements. Parents are kept up-to-date about their child's care and daily activities through verbal feedback. The childminder passes on relevant information about children's care to other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, ongoing systems to effectively share information about children's learning and development with other providers are not in place. This does not fully support continuity of learning and care for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a suitable range of age-appropriate toys, including cars, jigsaws, books and dolls. Most toys are in stored in large boxes which the childminder puts out ready for children's arrival. Older children confidently access these independently and the childminder provides a suitable range of rattles, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 blocks and soft toys for babies to play with. Children benefit from ample space to play and during the warm weather doors to the garden are left open. This allows children the choice of indoor or outdoor play. No children with special educational needs and/or disabilities attend the setting. However, the childminder demonstrates an appropriate attitude towards working with parents to ensure that all children are fully included at the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children are generally happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder provides an adequate range of activities for children, which cover most areas of learning. They go for lots of walks with the dog and to the park. This gives the children regular opportunities for physical exercise as well as beginning to promote their awareness of the natural world. For example, they talk about the seasons and go to see the ducks. An adequate range of jigsaws and games helps children to begin to develop their problem solving skills and young children sit for extended periods of time independently engrossed in simple matching games. The children have some opportunities to be creative, for example, they choose coloured pencils to draw pictures. Visits to toddler groups provide further opportunities for children to be creative and to socialise with their peers. The childminder makes adequate use of everyday activities, such as choosing what colour plate they want or

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and outcomes for children

counting the birds on a walk, to help to develop children's learning. This helps children to begin to develop skills for the future. However, opportunities to further develop these skills through the use of information and communication technology are limited.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the children's individual care needs, for example, she recognises when they are tired. However, her understanding of their next steps in learning is limited. She is not fully familiar with the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and does not have systems in place to observe children's progress. This means that, although children have free play, they are not effectively engaged in meaningful activities which are based upon their individual needs and next steps. This does not consistently maintain their interest and does not promote their development towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe. They practise road safety, fire drills and benefit from reminders from the childminder, for example, not to climb on chairs as they may fall and hurt themselves. Appropriate procedures, such as hand washing after the toilet, help to maintain children's good health. The childminder provides all meals for the children and has a suitable understanding of the importance of providing a healthy and balanced diet. Children do not attend if they are sick. This enables the childminder to protect others from illness and supports children's good health. Appropriate behaviour-management techniques, such as discussion and praise, support children's good behaviour. 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 3 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 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

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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

 develop a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 14/06/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 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) 14/06/2010

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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 above (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 14/06/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified above. (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) 14/06/2010

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