Childminder in Doncaster

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY320299 Inspection date 17/02/2011 Inspector Tracey Outram

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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 2006. She lives in the village of Carcroft, near Doncaster and occasionally works with a co-childminder who resides on the premises. The ground floor of the property is mostly used for childminding purposes; children do not use the first floor unless they are staying overnight or accessing the bathroom. There is an enclosed outdoor play area. Schools, parks and shops are within walking distance of the premises. Care is offered Monday to Friday for 48 weeks of the year. The childminder has two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. The childminder may care for a maximum of six children at any one time when working alone, or with her co- childminder. There are currently four children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age range.

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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 creates a welcoming environment for the children and maintains open and friendly relationships with their parents. As a result, the children are happy and their individual care and development needs are met. However, weaknesses in the leadership and management of the setting result in some specific legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage not being met. The childminder has both the willingness and knowledge to make the necessary 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?

 request written parental permission to the seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 16/03/2011

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further?

 ensure that at least one person who has a current paediatric first aid certificate is on the premises and on outings at all times when children are present (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 16/03/2011

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment and record when it was carried out and by whom. Regularly review the risk assessment, at least once a year, and include in the record the date of review and any action taken 16/03/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment).

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve partnerships with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure that the service provided complements the education and care that children receive in other settings  enhance the process of self-evaluation to provide a clear direction for the future development of the service  increase opportunities for children to benefit from a broad range of outdoor experiences and learning.

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the early years provision

The children attending the setting are appropriately supervised by the attentive childminder who has a sound understanding of the local child protection procedures. She has attended training and understands her responsibility to notify the local investigating agencies without delay, of any allegations or concerns about the children's welfare. All adults living and working on the premises are vetted; therefore, they are suitable people to have contact with children.

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the early years provision

The registered premises are secure and the childminder takes positive steps to reduce hazards and prevent danger to children. However, the organisation of the provision is not sufficiently robust; consequently, there is a failure to meet all specific legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. For example, the children's records do not contain all of the necessary parental consents and the risks assessments lack rigor. In addition, the childminder's first aid certificate has expired, although she has taken steps to remedy this by arranging training.

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the early years provision

Within the setting space is used appropriately. Many resources are freely accessible and there are satisfactory systems in place to help children appreciate the diversity of society. The childminder is keen to build positive relationships with parents and written policies and procedures are provided to help them understand the childminding arrangements. In addition, the childminder communicates verbally with parents to discuss the children's care needs, activities and learning. However, plans to work alongside other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage who share the care of the children are not sufficiently developed.

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the early years provision

The childminder has taken positive steps to act on the recommendations made at the last inspection. She has also attended further training to increase her knowledge of providing a home-based childcare service. However, the narrow use of self-evaluation means that she does not have clear systems in place to identify areas for improvement. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The children are happy and secure in the childminder's care. She knows them well and responds to their individual likes and interests. The children have space to play and they enjoy opportunities to choose from a number of different activities that are setup in advance of their arrival. This helps children to develop a positive attitude towards learning and supports them to make some choices in what they do.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes some useful observations of the children, which she uses to identify their next steps. Consequently, the planned activities are both enjoyable and support children's personal learning and development needs. However, while children enjoy some outings to parks, outdoor play is not used effectively to support learning across the breadth of the curriculum.

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and outcomes for children

A key strength of the setting is the effort that the childminder places on supporting children to become self-assured and confident to communicate. For example, as the children play, conversations freely flow, which helps to develop spoken language and enhance vocabulary. In addition, there are opportunities for the children to develop skills for the future as they use technology, such as, the compact disc player and other programmable toys. They also develop an awareness of mathematics as they participate in number games, puzzles and enjoy exploring shape and form as they print and make patterns with different media.

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and outcomes for children

The children's knowledge of how to maintain their personal safety is increased as they use equipment and enjoy outings with the childminder. Similarly, they learn about nutrition and are encouraged to make choices of healthy snacks, such as, tomatoes and carrot sticks, which support the 'five a day message'. Children's health is further promoted because the childminder encourages the children to adopt good personal hygiene practices and she follows clear procedures to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Overall, the children understand the expectations of their behaviour because the childminder gives them clear guidance and praises them when they do well. This helps them to develop a positive sense of belonging. 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 3

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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

 ensure an appropriate first aid qualifcation is maintained (Welfare of the children to be cared for)(also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 16/03/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 undertake a risk assessment of the premises at least once a year (Suitability and safety of premises,and equipment)(also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 16/03/2011

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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 compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Welfare of the children to be cared for) 16/03/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report(Suitability and safety of premises,and equipment). 16/03/2011

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