Home Childcarer in Warwickshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY361687 Inspection date 16/05/2011 Inspector Sally Smith

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and child aged six years in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. All of the ground floor of her home is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children in the early years age group, who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 a limited knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Consequently, she is not meeting all the legal requirements and does not adequately support children's welfare, learning and development. This compromises children's safety and well-being. The childminder endeavours to establish positive relationships with parents and shares information about children's routines. She has not carried out any form of self-evaluation, which potentially affects her ability to make improvements to her 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?

 gain knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements so that children are provided with an educational programme that will enable them to make progress towards the early learning goals in all areas of learning (The educational programmes) 01/07/2011

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further?

 undertake sensitive observational assessments and use them to plan relevant and motivating experiences for all children (The educational programmes) 01/07/2011

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further?

 obtain information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to the provision, regarding who has legal contact with the child, and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and 16/06/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promoting children's welfare)  implement an effective safeguarding children policy and procedure, which includes the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against any person living, working or looking after children at the premises (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 16/06/2011

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further?

 request written parental permission at the time of children's admission to the provision to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 16/06/2011

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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 the review and any action taken following a review of the incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 16/06/2011

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further?

 ensure that parents are provided with the details for contacting Ofsted so that children are adequately protected (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 04/10/2011

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve routines to provide relaxed opportunities for children to develop sustained conversation with adults and other children  use self-evaluation and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review.

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the early years provision

The childminder has not met a number of legal requirements. Although she is able to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse, she does not know who to contact with any concerns, and does not have up-to-date contact details for the relevant agencies. A risk assessment has not been undertaken, or a record maintained, to demonstrate how any hazards that children may come into contact are minimised, for example, when accessing the kitchen. This compromises their safety. The childminder is not aware of her responsibility to obtain information regarding who has parental and legal responsibility for the children in her care. She does not have the correct contact details for Ofsted should parents wish to make a suggestion or a complaint. In addition, she has not requested parental permission to seek emergency treatment for all children in her care. This was raised at her previous inspection, but she has not made the necessary improvements to ensure children

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the early years provision

are safe and appropriately cared for. However, the childminder and her husband have undertaken appropriate vetting procedures ensuring they are suitable to work with children. A register records children's attendance accurately; fire drills are practised and a written record of them is maintained. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are able to access some resources, while others are stored upstairs. The childminder rotates them so that children have variety. This means that children can on occasions make choices regarding their play. However, resources are not used effectively as the childminder has insufficient knowledge of children's starting points to plan individual learning goals. Consequently, children's learning and development is not supported. There is sufficient space for children, which appears to be utilised well. Children use the lounge to play with their toys and games, and

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the early years provision

sit at the table in the dining area to eat.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes warm relationships with parents. She takes time to talk when they arrive and exchanges information verbally about the care of their children. However, since the childminder does not have sufficient knowledge of the learning and development requirements, she does not provide parents with details about their child's progress towards the early learning goals. A range of written policies and procedures is available for parents and carers to inform them of the management of the setting. These are kept on the computer, although the childminder was unable to produce them at the time of the inspection.

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the early years provision

The childminder has not carried out any form of self-evaluation to identify her strengths or areas for improvement. Although she has renewed her first aid certificate, she has not developed sufficient knowledge and skills to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage effectively. Necessary improvements have not been made, resulting in poor outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is friendly and welcoming, establishing warm relationships with children. Children make choices from resources stored around the edges of the room. However, while the childminder plans some adult-led activities, she is unable to demonstrate how she uses these to support particular aspects of children's learning. She is not familiar with the Early Years Foundation Stage and has not implemented the learning and development requirements successfully. She is not familiar with the six areas of learning and does not use the practice guidance to help children progress towards the early learning goals. As a result, she does not observe and assess what children do in order to plan for the next steps in their learning. This is a breach of requirements. In addition, she does not seek the views of parents to enable them to contribute to their children's learning journeys.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans some activities, which are incorporated into the daily routine. She has a list of skills that she encourages children to achieve by the time they start school, and this is shared with parents. Children learn to solve problems through puzzles and interactive games. For example, they name items or shapes on a tray, some of which the childminder then removes,and children try and remember what has been taken away. They develop coordination skills and learn to catch, throw, kick and balance. Children learn to recognise colours, shapes and numbers. They sing song such as 'One, two, buckle my shoe', and when out and about are asked to find or observe a specific number of objects. This helps them to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 recognise numbers and learn how to count. Children are encouraged to draw and paint, gradually gaining control in their use of tools, so that they begin to form

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and outcomes for children

recognisable letters. As their skills progress, some children attempt to write their names. Children have access to a computer and programmable toys such as microphones and cameras. They enjoy walking around filming each other and taking photographs. Such activities help children to acquire basic skills, for example, in operating some information and communication technology equipment. However, the childminder is not familiar with the Early Years Foundation Stage and the learning and development requirements in order to challenge children. This means that children do not consistently acquire the necessary skills to move to the next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children generally eat healthy meals and snacks. They are encouraged to wash their hands at appropriate times, for example, after using the toilet or before eating. They sit at the table to eat their lunch, although the childminder does not always join all children for their meals because she considers talking with children at mealtimes distracts them from eating. This means that valuable social interaction at mealtimes is missed. Children go for walks and visits to local attractions. While out and about, they learn to be vigilant about traffic and begin to understand the importance of road safety. On outings, children wear distinctively coloured clothing to help the childminder find them quickly should they get lost. Children learn how to seek help from people in authority, for example at the maze, and know how to recognise staff in their green uniforms. However, as the childminder does not carry out and record any risk assessment prior to children

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and outcomes for children

going on outings, this compromises their safety. Children are made aware of people's differences through discussion, books and resources. For example, they learn that there are children and adults who are unable to speak so use sign language instead to communicate. 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 4 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 4 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 4 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 4 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

 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) 16/06/2011

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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 assessment arises; take all necessary measures to minimise any identified risks (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) (Also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 04/10/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 put in place a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (Also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 04/10/2011

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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 section of the report (Arrangements for safeguarding children, Suitability and safety of premises and equipment, Procedures for dealing with complaints). 16/06/2011

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