Childminder in Southwark

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY319712 Inspection date 06/10/2010 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 assesses 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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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 2005. She lives with her partner in the London Borough of Southwark close to shops, parks and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently minding three children in the early years age range. The childminder takes and collects children from nursery schools and takes children to the park and library.

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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 welfare, learning and development is not adequately promoted because the childminder has insufficient knowledge and understanding of many aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children's health is encouraged adequately, although their safety is compromised in some areas. Links with parents are not strong enough and partnerships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage for children that attend other settings have not been established, to ensure that individual needs are met. Parents are not involved in the self-evaluation process and systems to evaluate practice are not robust enough, leading to some documentation not showing the required content. Self- evaluation does not provide the childminder with an accurate appraisal of its effectiveness and what she needs to do in order to secure improvements.

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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?

 make systematic observations and assessments of each child's achievements, interests and learning styles and use these to identify learning priorities and plan motivating learning experiences for each child (Assessment arrangements) 21/10/2010

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further?

 carryout a risk assessment for each type of outing and review it before embarking of each specific outing ( Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 21/10/2010

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment that identifies aspects of 21/10/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and maintain a record of these particular aspects, including when and by whom it was carried out. Regularly review the risk assessment, at least once a year (Suitable premises, environment and equipment)  take reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 21/10/2010

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children issues and be able to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedures appropriately  develop knowledge and understanding of the procedures for dealing with complaints and concerns from parents  improve the range of resources and activities to promote positive attitudes towards diversity and where necessary help children to value aspects of their own and other peoples lives  improve the two way flow of information with parents to promote a shared understanding of children's individual needs and involve parents in practical ways to support their child's learning and development  establish effective working relationships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care for children attending other settings  develop systems for self-evaluation, for example, by using the Ofsted self-

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further?

evaluation form, and quality improvement processes as the basis for ongoing internal review - assessing what the setting offers against a robust and challenging criteria  improve systems for recording children's attendance so that these accurately reflect the children's daily hours of attendance.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare and safety is not sufficiently promoted. The childminder has an insecure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and how to safeguard children. Risk assessments are not rigorous enough to ensure that all risks and hazards to children are eliminated. For example, there are exposed electrical sockets, dangerous substances stored in low level cupboards and low level windows and glass panels in area used by the children are not shatter proof or restricted. These are all easily accessible to the children. The childminder has taken some reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children in case of fire, such as appropriate emergency evacuation and smoke detectors; however, the fire blanket is not adequately position to ensure that it is easily accessible in an emergency. Some records are not adequately maintained to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting. For example, the children's attendance

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the early years provision

records do not accurately reflect their daily hours of attendance and the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder does not keep records of risk assessments of her home or on outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder shares information about the service she provides with parents, however, parents do not receive sufficient information about the complaints procedures because the childminder is not familiar with the procedures to be followed if a parent makes a complaint in writing. Although parents receive information about their child's day, not enough is done to build effective partnerships with parents to develop knowledge and understanding of each child's individual welfare and learning needs. Opportunities and outcomes for children are limited because there is insufficient attention to identifying children's starting points and learning needs. The childminder's lack of understanding of the next steps in children's learning means that appropriate challenges are not routinely set for the children and parents are not encouraged to be involved in supporting their children's learning and development. Furthermore, the childminder has not

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the early years provision

established effective working relationships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care for children attending other settings.

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the early years provision

The environment does not reflect or promote positive attitudes to diversity. The childminder does not ensure that she gains information from parents with regard to culture or religion so that she can help each child to develop a positive sense of identity, value themselves and respect differences in others. With the exception of some books, there is an insufficient range of positive images and resources.

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the early years provision

Although the childminder has attended a variety of training courses, such as safeguarding, risk assessments and the Early Years Foundation Stage there is very little evidence of the beneficial impact on children's welfare, learning and development. Self-evaluation fails to identify a number of significant weaknesses and is therefore not yet sufficiently robust enough to ensure that she focuses on the most significant areas in need of improvement, in order to provide consistently good outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a satisfactory range of adult and child-led experiences. However, there are no systems in place for observation, assessments, planning or tracking children's progress in order to ensure that the needs of all children are identified and they are continuously challenged in their learning towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled. They confidently choose activities and develop a sense of responsibility by packing resources away and helping to tidy up. Their confidence and self-esteem are increasing as they respond to praise and encouragement from the childminder, which has a positive impact on their behaviour. They are gaining an understanding of what is expected of them and build positive relationships with adults and their peers. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children have few opportunities to develop their understanding of the society in which they live in. Children have access to a very limited range of resources that promote positive images of different culture, gender and disability inside the childminder's home. Although they participate in some European celebrations these are not extended to include other cultures because the childminder lacks knowledge and understanding of different customs and practices.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to develop their creativity through a variety of arts and crafts activities, such as, painting, drawing, making collages and dough. They use appropriate materials and tools competently. Children write their own names or letters in their name to label their work. They are able to identify some letters; however, the childminder missed opportunities for children to link sounds and letters. Children confidently uses numbers and counting during activities. For example, they count the number of cutters each child has. However, the childminder missed opportunities for the children to make comparisons or say what is more or less. Children instigate activities such as making dough. They learn to share and take turns and identify ingredients that are being used. However, children do not have opportunities to measure, discuss the changes that occur when water is added to the flour, or food colouring to the mixture.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is adequately promoted. They benefit from a combination of exercise, healthy eating and relaxation. Regular and varied opportunities to play outdoors on large equipment such as slides, swings and climbing frames encourage children to develop a positive attitude to exercise and challenge their physical development. Children enjoy nutritious meals. Although drinking water is available this is not easily accessible for children to help themselves. Children have well developed understanding of the importance of good hygiene practices. They know that they must wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to show an awareness of safety issues and how to keep themselves safe. An in-depth discussion about waiting for the 'green man' and looking both ways before crossing the road, shows the children's secure understanding of how to keep themselves safe whilst out and about. Regular fire drills help children to 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 4 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 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

 undertake a risk assessment of the premises and ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise identified risks (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 21/10/2010

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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 (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 21/10/2010

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