Childminder in Sheffield

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 300688 Inspection date 10/05/2011 Inspector Angela Howard

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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 2000. She lives with her adult and two children aged 12 and nine years. They live Upper Thorpe, on the outskirts of Sheffield, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed play area available for outdoor play. Care is offered Monday to Friday all year round, excluding bank holidays.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding one child in the early years age range. She is registered on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder 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

Children show a reasonable sense of belonging because the childminder knows the children well. There is a positive relationship with parents and the daily exchange of information ensures children are settled and feel secure. Overall most of their individual care needs are met successfully and inclusive practice is promoted. However, the childminder's lack of understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance has significant impact on children's learning and development needs and has led to a number of breaches in Welfare requirements. Self- evaluation is superficial and fails to identify a number of significant issues. However, the childminder demonstrates a willingness 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?

 develop the use of observation and assessments to identify learning priorities for each child and then plan relevant and motivating learning experiences (Organisation) 03/06/2011

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further?

 provide a suitable range of equipment to meet the developmental needs of children from six months to under five years (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 03/06/2011

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further?

 develop the use of self-evaluation to recognise the 03/06/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 importance of continuous improvement and encourage a culture of reflective practice to improve the quality of provision for all children (Learning and development requirements)  keep a record of the risk assessment for the premises clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following any review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 03/06/2011

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further?

 obtain written parental permission at the time of the child's admission to the provision, for seeking any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 03/06/2011

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further?

 complete a daily record of the names of the children looked after and their hours of attendance (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 03/06/2011

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the early years provision

Safeguarding policies and procedures are satisfactory and the childminder has some understanding of how to protect children. She is sufficiently aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and the correct procedures to follow should she have any concerns. All adults living on the premises are vetted. Therefore, they are suitable people to have contact with children. The childminder is reasonably aware of her responsibility to keep children safe. She completes daily visual risk assessments; however, she does not maintain a record of risk assessments. She has not obtained written permission from parents to seek medical treatment and does not record children's daily attendance. These are breaches of requirements that impact on children's heath and safety. Within the setting space is used appropriately. However, the range of resources is poor. There is insufficient play equipment to support children's learning and development. This is a breach of

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the early years provision

requirements that impact on children's learning and development. Some aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage are addressed appropriately, for example, documentation, such as accident records, children's personal details and emergency contact details are recorded effectively. In addition, partnerships with parents are suitably established and the childminder is flexible and supportive. She shares information verbally each day with parents about the children's time in her care, to ensure continuity of care and to promote children's welfare. The childminder has appropriate plans in place to work alongside other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage who share the care of the children. Levels of engagement with parents are sound which enables the childminder to basically promote inclusive practice at an acceptable level to ensure she meets children individuals needs daily.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates some understanding of the need to continuously review to provide better outcomes for children. However, no action has been taken to bring about improvement and the childminder has failed to identify a number of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 significant issues since the introduction of the Early Years Foundation stage, such as a number of breaches in the welfare requirements.

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and outcomes for children

The setting operates relatively smoothly despite the childminder not being prepared for the changes in regulations and guidance, for example, the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Her knowledge and understanding of the guidance is very limited. Therefore, this impacts considerably on the quality of the educational programme offered to enable children to make satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the children's individual learning styles and child development. The children are happy and secure in the childminder's care. She knows them well and responds to their individual likes and interests. One of the childminder's strengths is the way in which she is constantly 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

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and outcomes for children

vocabulary. However, there are no observational assessments and children's next steps are not identified. Therefore, the childminder is not able to plan relevant and motivating learning experiences across all the areas of learning. The pace of learning is too slow and there is insufficient focus on raising children's achievements. This is a breach of requirements.

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and outcomes for children

Warm relationships between the children and the childminder are evident and the children are settled. They are confident in their routine and show some sense of belonging. Babies show through their body language that they are happy, safe and feel secure. They become excited as the childminder holds out her hands and they reach out to her and respond positively to words and gestures of adults. Children's health is further promoted by the childminder, reducing the risk of cross-infection appropriately. She keeps the premises clean and has satisfactory procedures in place to help children recognise the importance of hand washing. The childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure children's dietary needs are adequately met, she provides nutritious snacks and children access drinks independently throughout the day. The childminder is beginning to help children understand how to keep themselves safe. They routinely take part in fire drills and practise road

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and outcomes for children

crossing procedures. Therefore, children are starting to develop a sense of security and awareness of safety issues which impacts well on their ability to keep themselves safe. 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 3 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 3 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 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 section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 03/06/2011

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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 Childcare section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment.) 03/06/2011

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