Childminder in Devon

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY293326 Inspection date 15/12/2010 Inspector Jacquie Allen

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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 registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and 15 years in Crediton, Devon. Childminding mainly takes place on the ground floor, with children having access to toilet facilities on the first floor. There is an enclosed rear garden which is set out on three levels, however children only have access to the one nearest to the house for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for five children under eight years, of which three may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children on roll, of whom all are in the early years range. The family have one dog.

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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 individual needs are not always met as the childminder is in breach of a number of welfare requirements. This impacts on children's care, learning and development, as well as partnership with parents. Systems for evaluating the provision are not effective which impacts on the childminder's ability to continuously improve.

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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 children do not leave the premises unsupervised and take steps to prevent intruders entering the premises (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register) 31/01/2011

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further?

 take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children - both indoors and outdoors - are kept to a minimum. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) 31/01/2011

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further?

 keep a record of accidents and first aid treatment and inform parents (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary 31/01/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that children's behaviour is managed effectively and in a manner appropriate for their stage of development and particular individual needs (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 31/01/2011

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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) (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the childcare registers) 31/01/2011

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the early years provision

Children are appropriately safeguarded as the childminder is aware of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. However, although risk assessments are completed, insufficient attention is given to ongoing potential hazards within the home which puts children at risk. For example, the front door is not routinely locked, medicines are not always put out of children's reach and dangerous substances and razors are not removed from the bathroom area before children attend. These are breaches of the welfare requirements. Although the childminder's policy states that children are not allowed in the kitchen unsupervised or when food is being heated, the stair gate is often left open which allows children entry. In addition, children's minor accidents are not routinely recorded to ensure information is shared with parents in order to promote consistency of care. This is also a breach of a welfare requirement. However,

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the early years provision

systems are in place to record children's attendance and medication needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to evaluate her provision but this is not effective at identifying weaknesses. Although resources are available these are not always fully accessible to young children nor are they organised in a way which meets children's play needs. For example, some resources are stored in large boxes where children have to hunt for individual bricks. Although the farm set was out, there were no farm buildings available to extend children's play as these were stored in an outside shed. Children have some access to resources which positively reflect diversity. A lack of planned activities leads to boredom and impacts on children's behaviour which means too much time is spent on behaviour management and not on meeting children's individual needs. Communication with parents is through verbal updates with longer meetings planned as required. Parents also relay information to other provisions where children attend to aid

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the early years provision

consistency. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Although the childminder is generally caring, children are not always stimulated in their play. This impacts on their behaviour and ability to make progress in their learning and development. Children's records of achievements are not a true reflection of their ability as these are not routinely updated, used to plot their progress or identify any gaps in their development. In addition, planned activities are limited and not sufficiently challenging for all children in attendance. Children self select from available resources with some appropriate interaction from the childminder. For example, children use the play tunnel to crawl through and the childminder says 'peek-a-boo' which makes them giggle. When children start to sing the childminder joins in which encourages them to continue. She introduces numbers into daily routines as she asks them how many cherry tomatoes they want and encourages them to count. However, this is not sufficient to ensure that

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and outcomes for children

children develop essential skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to be healthy as they spend time in the fresh air when they walk to school and visit the local park. They help themselves to drinks as required and are provided with a range of healthy, nutritious food provided by the childminder and their parents. The childminder effectively considers hygiene routines to ensure that children wash their hands before eating and after toileting and promotes this though her own practice when changing nappies and wiping noses, which reduces the risk of cross infection. However, sometimes in very cold weather the childminder leaves doors and windows open which impacts on the temperature within the home and results in children having red hands and runny noses, which does not benefit their health.

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and outcomes for children

Children's safety is compromised through them having access to identified risks which does not help them to learn to keep themselves safe. Behaviour management techniques impacts on children's self-esteem, but also their safety as when they are out of sight they often take themselves upstairs where there are additional hazards, as well as having free access to the unlocked front door. Children are not always treated with equal concern or consistency when behaviour deteriorates which does not meet their needs. 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 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

 take action as specified in the Early Years Register section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 31/01/2011

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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 Early Years Register (How the childcare provision is organised) 11/01/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years Register section of the report (Records to be kept) 31/01/2011

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