Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 221287 Inspection date 06/04/2011 Inspector Sarah Measures

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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 C hildcare 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 C hildcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 1996. She lives in the village of Brixworth, Northamptonshire. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder's home is used for minding, and the bathroom and one bedroom upstairs that is used for sleeping children. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered by Ofsted to care for children on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and the voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for up to six children under the age of eight years at any one time, of whom three may be within the early years age range. The childminder is also registered to provide overnight care for up to two children. There are currently 11 children on role, of whom four are within the early years age range. Children attend for a variety of part-time arrangements. The childminder has links with local schools, pre-schools and nurseries.

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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

Policies and procedures do not meet the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to ensure the welfare of the children. However, many aspects of the provision for children's learning and development are very good. Children are very much valued as individuals within this stimulating and welcoming setting. However, the childminder does not have a satisfactory understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She does not use an effective method of reflecting upon the quality of the provision.

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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?

 conduct a risk assessment of the premises that identifies potential hazards and when and by whom they have been checked, and make sure this risk assessment includes children's access to the stairs (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 24/04/2011

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further?

 make sure that there is an effective safeguarding policy and procedure (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 24/04/2011

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further?

 put in place a written procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints, and share the complaints procedure with parents with details for contacting Ofsted and an explanation that parents can make a 24/04/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the C hildcare Act 2006 complaint to Ofsted (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare)  keep a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (Documentation) 07/04/2011

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents when asked by parents to give medicines to children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 07/04/2011

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implement an effective systems of self-reflection in order to ensure all of the needs of the children are met  develop systems of observing and assessing children in order to demonstrate their progress towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Polices and procedures do not safeguard the children. Although the childminder has a secure understanding of the possible indicators of child abuse, she has no up-to-date referral information in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board policies and procedures to follow if necessary. This does not meet with requirements and does not ensure children's protection. The childminder does not share information with parents as to how to make a complaint, and she has no recording system prepared in case she does receive a complaint that she needs to investigate. This does not promote a safe and transparent provision and protect children. The childminder keeps a note in a daily diary of the children's attendance; however she does not record the times that they are in the setting. This does not meet with requirements and was a recommendation from the previous inspection that the childminder has not addressed. This is further evidence that the

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the early years provision

childminder has no effective system to drive forward improvement. The childminder carries out visual checks of the premises, but does not complete a risk assessment that shows potential hazards to children and when and by whom they were checked. She has not appropriately considered the safety of young children, with regard to their access to the stairs that are between play areas used. The childminder has up-to-date training in first aid, and she has written consents from parents to seek any necessary emergency medical treatment or advice. This helps to protect the children in the event of an accident or an emergency. The childminder's routines include plenty of opportunity to promote children's good health. However, their health and safety is potentially jeopardised because she does not obtain written consent from parents when they provide medications that children may need.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home so that it is extremely welcoming to children. Toys, games and books fill the downstairs of her home and offer children an excellent range of purposeful play opportunities. The childminder has very good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the C hildcare Act 2006 relationships with parents who value highly the care and educational opportunities she provides for their children. Parents go to great lengths to show their appreciation and often keep in touch with the childminder when their children have left the setting. The childminder also communicates effectively with other settings that children attend. This helps all involved in children's care and education to plan cohesively to meet their individual needs. The childminder has many years of experience of caring for children with varying needs and from different backgrounds. She offers an inclusive setting where all children are valued and

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the early years provision

included. She plans activities so that all children can take part regardless of their stages of development. As the childminder does not have an appropriate understanding of the Early Years Framework she is not able to effectively assess the strengths and weaknesses of the provision and successfully plan for improvement. As a result she has not identified that several welfare requirements are not met that impact upon her ability to safeguard the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very much at home in the setting. They develop good, close relationships amongst themselves and with the childminder. Their sense of belonging is very well-promoted. This is because the childminder involves them in decisions about their care and play. She works very closely with parents in order to fully understand children's home life, routines and individual needs. She uses the information she gains from parents to help children to settle in her home and to provide them with purposeful activities that interest them. Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder has a good understanding of how they learn and of how to challenge children. She assesses children's progress and plans activities that will interest the children and help them to develop further. However, she is not able to confidently demonstrate children's individual progress towards the early learning goals. This is because she does not

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and outcomes for children

link her observations and assessments to the Early Years Foundation Stage. This means she cannot be sure each child is given every opportunity to reach their full potential in all aspects of their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very well behaved and show good consideration for others. They are encouraged to be independent, well-mannered and responsible. For example, older children help to set the table before meals and help to support and involve the younger children in routines and activities. This further promotes children's sense of belonging within the setting. Children develop many healthy habits. They use a range of physical play equipment in the childminder's garden that help to develop their physical skills and strength. They enjoy healthy, home cooked meals that often include vegetables that they have helped to grow in the childminder's garden. Children achieve because they learn as they play and have fun and because the childminder values their individual contributions to the setting. They play games and engage in various play opportunities that help them to recognise colour and shape; they enjoy games and activities that help them to understand

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and outcomes for children

and recognise numbers, letters and sounds. Children take part in creative play and can easily select different equipment and materials to enable them to use their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the C hildcare Act 2006 imagination and develop their own ideas. Children show a keen desire to learn and chat and sing happily as they play and learn. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the C hildcare 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 2 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 2 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 2 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 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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 C hildcare 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

 keep and 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) 24/04/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment; at least once a year, and immediately, where the need arises and ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise any identified risk (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 24/04/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep a written statement of procedure to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 24/04/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep a daily record of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance, and, keep a record of parent's consent to administer any medicines to children, including medicine which the child is permitted to self-administer (Records to be kept) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 07/04/2011

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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 within the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Arrangements for safeguarding children, Suitability and safety of premises and equipment, Procedures for dealing with complaints and Records to be kept). 24/04/2011

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