Childminder in Islington

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 153519 Inspection date 29/09/2011 Inspector Gulnaz Hassan

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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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her adult son. They live in a three bedroom house in the London Borough of Islington. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is access to a fully enclosed outside play area. The childminder is registered by Ofsted to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, of whom three children may be in the early years age range. She currently cares for two children in this age range. The childminder is also registered to look after children on 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

Children's needs are not being met as the childminder does not have a sufficient knowledge or understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. As a result, the childminder is not able to meet the learning and welfare needs of children and they do not make sufficient progress in their learning and development. The childminder demonstrates some understanding of, but does not effectively promote inclusion and diversity. The capacity for self improvement is weak as the childminder has not taken sufficient steps to address the recommendations set at the last inspection. Self-evaluation does not identify most of the significant issues that affect her care of and practice for children. As a result, the childminder is in breach of several legal requirements and this puts children's welfare and safety at risk.

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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?

 keep records of information for each child, including date of birth, name and address of every parent and carer and emergency contact details of the parents and carers (Documentation) (Also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 23/10/2011

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further?

 ensure that equipment and toys are suitable for their purpose (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (Also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 07/10/2011 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure appropriate fire detection and control equipment is in place, including a fire blanket (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 07/10/2011

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further?

 plan and organise systems to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to meet their individual needs (Organisation) 23/10/2011

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further?

 obtain necessary information from parents in advance of a child being admitted to the provision, including children's health requirements and emergency contact numbers (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 23/10/2011

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment which identifies all 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) 23/10/2011

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further?

 keep a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 23/10/2011

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further?

 ensure people whose suitability has not been checked do not have unsupervised contact with children who are being cared for (Suitable people) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 23/10/2011

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further?

 ensure a current paediatric first aid certificate is held (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 14/10/2011

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 provide opportunities for children to begin to know about their own and other people's cultures in order to understand and celebrate the diverse society in which they live.

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the early years provision

There are limited arrangements in place to safeguard children. The childminder has failed to notify Ofsted of the change of persons aged 16 years or older living on the premises in order that appropriate checks can be carried out to assess suitability. It is a requirement to do so. On this occasion Ofsted do not intend to take further action. Although the childminder has made some recent efforts to update her practice she remains in breach of a number of legal requirements. The childminder has not completed risk assessments for her home and garden. This means that some hazards to children, such as heavy low level ornaments and accessible cleaning materials in the kitchen, have not been identified. In addition the childminder does not have suitable fire detection and control equipment This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 including a fire blanket in the kitchen. The childminder is aware of some risks to

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the early years provision

children, for instance some cupboards in the hallway are inaccessible and risk assessments for outings are effective. The attendance register does not effectively record the dates of children's attendance. In addition the childminder has not completed a paediatric first aid training course. Pertinent information relating to children's health needs has not been obtained from parents. These are breaches of legal requirement and put children's health and safety at risk. The childminder has some limited awareness of areas that have been identified for improvement. She has identified some training needs and is working with the local authority to address some issues in her practice. However there are no systems in place for the childminder to reflect upon or to evaluate her practice independently and thoroughly. Therefore, she does not demonstrate the capacity to maintain continuous improvements. The childminder has a very small range of activities and play materials available,

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the early years provision

however these are not always fit for purpose. These are not freely available to children and do not meet children's overall individual and developmental needs. Although the childminder demonstrates some awareness of equal opportunities, there are limited systems in place to help children's understanding of the society in which they live in. For instance, the resources and experiences available do not effectively reflect positive images of society so that children are not learning about the community that they live in. The childminder exchanges information, about children's care and daily routine with parents on a daily basis. However, there are insufficient systems in place to obtain required information from parents, such as dates of birth and addresses, before children start to attend the setting. In addition information exchanged is not fully effective in identifying children's starting points or for parents to receive

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the early years provision

information about children's learning and development or to be involved in their learning. The childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of working in partnership with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Children are not being helped to learn and develop effectively. This is because the childminder has not developed any understanding of the learning and development requirements. There are no planned activities or exploration to support children's progress in the six areas of learning or to support children's skills for the future. The limited resources and play materials available, such as recently obtained books, blocks, dolls and shape sorters are insufficient and do not meet children's needs. There are no systems in place to ensure that the resources are suitable for children's needs. For instance some play materials have missing parts so that children become frustrated as they are not able to complete them. This also means that that children are not able to develop a sense of achievement. Additionally, opportunities to develop children's future skills are severely limited. Observations and assessments are not in place to determine children's starting points and

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and outcomes for children

capabilities, to track their progress or plan for their future learning needs. Children enjoy an affectionate and warm relationship with the childminder, they demonstrate satisfactory levels of security and they settle easily with the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder. Children's welfare is ineffectively supported. Although children are changed on the kitchen floor using a mat, hygiene procedures are generally secure. Emergency evacuations have been considered and practised with children to ensure that these take place speedily and that children are familiar with the processes. Although this helps children develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe, the weaknesses in safeguarding systems mean that overall, children's safety cannot be assured. For instance the lack of risk assessments to identify potential hazards and unchecked adults living on the premises impacts on their safety. The childminder

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and outcomes for children

offers children snacks and meals that are healthy, however occasionally their needs are not promptly attended to. The children enjoy fresh air and exercise as they go out regularly to the parks and play in the garden. However, the childminder does not hold a current paediatric first aid certificate, nor does she gain important information regarding children's health needs. This means children's health is compromised. The strategies that the childminder has in place to ensure that children's behaviour is managed appropriately are mostly satisfactory, although not always fully effective in promoting positive behaviour. 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 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 4 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 4 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

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept, Suitability and safety of premises and equipment, Arrangements for safeguarding children, Welfare of children being cared for) 23/10/2011

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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 for an assessment arises) (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 23/10/2011

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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 for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Records to be kept, Suitability and safety of premises and equipment, Arrangements for safeguarding children, Welfare of children being cared for) 23/10/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment) 07/10/2011

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