Childminder in GloucestershireOfsted inspection, 4 Apr 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 100744 Inspection date 04/04/2011 Inspector Hilary Tierney

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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 first registered in 1994. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder lives with her husband and one adult child in Lydney, near Gloucester. Some areas of the ground floor of the home are used for childminding. Children have access to a separate playroom and a fully enclosed patio area for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from a local school. Children are taken to the local library and parks. The childminder is registered to provide care for six children under eight years of age, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She currently has a total of 23 children on roll, of whom six are in the early years age group, five are over six years of age and 12 over eight years of age. All children attend on a part-time basis.

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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 has completed the self-evaluation process, but this has been ineffective as it has failed to identify that several specific legal requirements are not met. Consequently children's safety and health are compromised. Although the childminder fails to safeguard children adequately, she is aware of many of their individual needs and they are happy and comfortable in her company. Children are beginning to develop positive relationships with the childminder and each other. The partnership with parents is satisfactory and information is shared with them regularly.

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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?

 hold a suitable current paediatric first aid certificate (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 30/06/2011

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment that identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis; maintain a record of these particular aspects and when and by whom they have been checked (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 18/04/2011

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of 18/04/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare)  ensure a daily record of the children's hours of attendance is kept (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 18/04/2011

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 undertake regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  develop further the system for carrying out observations, assessment and planning of activities, in order to build on children's interests, offer support and extend to their learning  develop further the partnerships with other early years settings, so that all adults involved with the children contribute to their learning opportunities and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has failed to safeguard children adequately because a number of regulations are not met. She has not kept her first aid training up to date. The childminder has not completed regular risk assessments that cover all areas of the environment that children come into contact with and any outings that may take place. Records show that the childminder has not carried out an emergency evacuation drill for several years which means that children who currently attend may not know what to do in the event of fire or other emergency situations; consequently, they may be at risk of harm. The childminder does not keep required child attendance records. Accident and medication records are kept and shared with parents on the day and necessary parental permissions are in place.

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the early years provision

Resources are used adequately to support children's learning and development. Although children have access to some of the resources, most are in boxes and on high shelves in the playroom. Consequently, younger children are not able to access some resources easily unless they ask the childminder to get them. This does not help them become independent in their learning or promote choice. The childminder has a satisfactory awareness of how to promote equality and diversity; for example, children have equal access to all activities. She demonstrates a suitable understanding of how to work with outside professionals, if required, in order to meet specific needs.

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the early years provision

There is a satisfactory partnership with parents. Regular information is shared between them in the form of daily diaries and a verbal exchange of information when they leave or collect their children. The childminder has a notice board for parents where current useful information is displayed. The childminder's policies and procedures are available for them to read. Parents spoken to are very positive about the care the childminder provides and the information they receive. There is a more limited exchange of information between the childminder and other early years settings that children attend. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has completed a basic self-evaluation process; however, this has failed to identify a number of significant issues. She identifies that she lacks some paperwork, but not that some regulations are not met. The childminder is not

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the early years provision

sufficiently ambitious about improving her provision. She does not set targets effectively to address weaknesses and improve outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is insufficiently vigilant to protect children, demonstrated by breaches of a number of requirements regarding their safety. There are some satisfactory areas of practice, which have a more positive impact on children's welfare and development. Children are beginning to learn about healthy lifestyles. They understand about hand washing before meals and after using the toilet. Paper hand towels are used to help prevent the spread of infection. Children are able to access drinking water easily and the childminder ensures that their cups are on the kitchen table within reach. Nappy changing procedures are satisfactory. Children are beginning to understand about fresh air and exercise and are taken on regular walks and trips around the local area. Overall, children's and babies' health, physical and dietary needs are met adequately. The childminder's first aid certificate has expired. This was not long ago, so consequently the childminder has

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and outcomes for children

suitable knowledge of how to administer first aid if required.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, content and well settled. The childminder shows care and concern for them, and treats them as individuals. She sits with the children on the floor and interacts suitably with them as they play. The childminder has started to complete observations and assessments of children's progress which helps her provide a sufficient range of activities and experiences to meet children's needs. Currently, she does not make full use of these to identify their interests and next steps. but overall the level of challenge is sufficient to interest and engage children, so they make appropriate progress. Children are well behaved and enjoy their time at the setting. They leave their parents happily and interactions between them and the childminder are satisfactory. The children recall well what they have done the previous day with their parents when asked by the childminder. Children have a strong sense of belonging and display confidence and appropriate levels of

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and outcomes for children

self-esteem. They interact together well and older children show care towards the younger children as they play.

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and outcomes for children

Children are broadly content and willing to take part in activities provided; for example, they enjoy colouring and early writing activities. The childminder gets out pens and paper for children and the babies. All enjoy trying to draw on the paper. Children enjoy looking at books alone and together with the childminder. She reads to the children and includes all children well as they sit and listen, recalling the words of the story as the childminder reads it to them. Children are able to make some choices of activities and the childminder helps them to decide what they would like to do, getting out resources for them if they are unable to access them easily. For example, the childminder gets out the dolls, prams, blankets and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play bottles and children enjoy playing with these, putting the dolls in the pram, feeding them, and rocking them to sleep.

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and outcomes for children

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 above in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for, Records to be kept) 30/06/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment: at least once in each calendar year, and immediately, where the need for an assessment arises. Ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise any identified risks (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 18/04/2011

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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 above in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for, Records to be kept) 30/06/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified above in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 18/04/2011

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