Childminder in Bolton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 504874 Inspection date 25/01/2011 Inspector Angela Rowley

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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 has been registered since 1997. She lives with her husband and two sons aged 12 and 15 years. They live in a house located in a residential area of Harwood on the outskirts of Bolton. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Children mainly play in a dedicated playroom and adjoining bathroom. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a range of pets including a cat, finches, tortoises and fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early age group at any one time. She is currently caring for four children in this age group at different times across the week. Ofsted has made an exception to her conditions of registration to allow her to care for these four children together for specified periods of time. The childminder also offers care to children aged from five to 11 years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is available to provide care each weekday on a full-time basis. She takes children to local toddler and community groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 is a very experienced practitioner, however, she is not successfully managing her provision. She has not done enough to keep up to date with changes and maintain established record keeping procedures. Her knowledge of the statutory framework is limited and as a result, some specific legal requirements are not being met. Systems to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the provision are poor and consequently, the childminder has failed to identify weaknesses. In practice children are suitably cared for. They make sound developmental progress due to the childminder's experience of working with young children, although there are gaps in planning to ensure every child makes as much progress as they can in all areas. Well-established relationships with parents provide continuity of care for all 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?

 maintain all records, policies and procedures required 15/02/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for the safe and efficient management of the setting and to meet the needs of the children; this relates to keeping accurate records of minor injuries and ensuring all required parental permissions are in place (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register)  keep a daily record of the names of children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 15/02/2011

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further?

 implement an effective safeguarding children policy which includes the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against anyone living or working on the premises (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 15/02/2011

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further?

 update the complaints procedure ensuring all written complaints are investigated and complainants notified of the outcome within 28 days of having received the complaint (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 15/02/2011

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 15/02/2011

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out and by whom, and ensure that it identifies specific aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 15/02/2011

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 use ongoing observational assessment to plan resources and play-based activities to promote each child's continuing development  recognise the value of continuous quality improvement and engage with local authority advisors to improve knowledge, skills and provision  use quality improvement processes and tools as the basis for ongoing internal review assessing what the setting does against robust and challenging quality criteria to inform self-evaluation.

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the early years provision

Procedures to safeguard and promote children's welfare are weak because the childminder has not updated her procedures nor maintained required documentation. This results in a number of specific legal requirements being breached. The childminder has attended local training and sufficiently understands what to do if she is concerned a child is being abused. She has relevant local This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 guidance materials to refer to. However, she is unaware of required procedures to follow in the event of allegations of a child protection nature against herself or a member of her household, and her basic written policy does not refer to this aspect. All adults in the household are suitably vetted. A simple written complaints procedure is in place and the Ofsted complaints poster is displayed. The childminder shows commitment to working with parents to resolve any concerns

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the early years provision

should she ever receive any. However, she is unaware of the requirement to investigate concerns and notify complainants of the outcome within a given timescale. The childminder relies on close supervision to ensure children's safety in her home. The interior premises are well maintained and very secure. A general safety checklist is partially completed, however, it does not fully address the potential hazards that are unique to her home. As a result, in the garden where children play, for example, there are a small number of potential hazards to children, such as low-level fencing and protruding rose bushes. Risk assessments are completed for almost every type of outing undertaken and the childminder carefully considers the management of children's safety while out with them. The management of additional documentation to ensure children's health and their safety is inconsistent. The childminder has adequate systems in place to obtain

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the early years provision

relevant information and required permissions from parents. She communicates closely with them to ensure that in practice, children's needs are met. However, one child's permission forms cannot be located along with a full record of children's attendance. Appropriate formats for medicines and accident recording have been used up and the childminder has not replaced them. As a result, subsequent records have not been completed in line with requirements and some are misleading. Minor accidents on the premises have been recorded on exiting injuries forms and a record of parental permission to administer medicines has been overlooked.

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the early years provision

The childminder is a very experienced practitioner, who previously had a sound knowledge of the requirements. However, since the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage the childminder has not sufficiently monitored or updated her knowledge and provision. She describes having taken her 'eye off the ball' in her efforts to understand new systems to help children learn. As a result, some specific legal requirements are not being met and she has been unable to maintain the standards that she previously achieved. The childminder is working in partnership with others and is securing some improvements in relation to promoting children's learning and development through these partnerships. As a result, children are making suitable progress. The childminder is beginning to consider self-evaluation, although her ability to accurately evaluate her provision is hindered by her lack of understanding of the requirements. She is very aware

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the early years provision

however, that children's practical daily care is an area of strength and her attention and ability to use and organise documentation is an area that needs to be improved. The childminder has sufficiently addressed the recommendations raised at the last inspection and shows commitment to making the required improvements.

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the early years provision

The childminder works with parents and carers and together they share details of children's individual needs, preferences and interests. Some aspects of children's learning and development are spontaneously discussed and the childminder provides daily diary records to promote continuity in children's care and learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Parents are provided with some basic information about how the setting operates which ensures they are adequately informed about the provision. Parents' views are sought and they express satisfaction with the service they receive, particularly in relation to children being settled and enjoying their time with the childminder. Sufficient links with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage ensure basic continuity in children's learning and care.

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and outcomes for children

Space within the childminder's home is suitably deployed to provide an inviting play space for children. The designated playroom is decorated with pictures, posters and leaflets, many of which promote positive images of diversity and thus provide a welcome for all. A suitable range of continuous play provision ensures children always have appropriate toys to keep them occupied. Freely accessible toilet facilities integral to the playroom allow children to develop independence. Consistent routines help children adopt good personal hygiene and they know, for example, that they must wash their hands following use of the bathroom. Safety routines ensure, for example, that very young children know that the childminder puts on their safety harness when they sit in the highchair. They see road safety posters displayed. However, the quality of the provision for children overall, is impacted upon by weak management of required procedures.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and benefit from warm and relaxed relationships with the childminder, which make them feel valued and secure. They enjoy a basic range of activities and experiences, which help them make sufficient progress in their learning and development. For example, children have regular opportunities to socialise and the childminder is aware of their growing self-confidence when they attend toddler groups. Regular outings into the local community and to local play areas helps promote children's physical development and raise their awareness of the community in which they live. Children enjoy, for example, seeing the fish at the local aquarium and afterwards going to play on the big yellow slide at the play centre on the same site. The childminder is mindful of the children's interests and provides activities that they enjoy, such as play with sand and dough. Consequently, children enjoy their time with the childminder and are suitably

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and outcomes for children

The childminder spontaneously supports children as they play, for example, she encourages them to count images on the jigsaw puzzle they are completing. She speaks with them continually and asks questions to extend their communication. She introduces picture cards to older children to introduce them to letter sounds. Mark-making activities are provided and children show an interest in using crayons on paper. The childminder introduces writing for a purpose, though is not always well informed about the methods she uses with very young children. From an early stage children show interest in and use battery operated toys, pressing the buttons to known effect. They are curious and keen to go and see the birds cheeping in another part of the childminder's home. Regular use is made of the garden in dry weather and children have planted seeds and watched them grow. This provision helps them develop some of the skills they need for the future.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a sufficient and growing knowledge of the learning and development requirements. She is in the early stages of implementing systems to identify what children can do in order to plan next steps in all the areas of learning. Using what she knows about children already, she spontaneously provides some challenging activities to help children achieve more. However, as yet she relies heavily on her instincts and does not plan how to provide for children's next steps. As a result, children are not always sufficiently challenged and therefore do not always make as much progress as they could. 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 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 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 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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 section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment, Procedures for dealing with complaints, Records to be kept) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 15/02/2011

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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 section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment, Procedures for dealing with complaints, Records to be kept) (also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register). 15/02/2011

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