Childminder in Lambeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY426670 Inspection date 17/01/2012 Inspector Pamela Bailey

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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 lives with her husband, mother-in-law and two school aged children in the London Borough of Lambeth, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home, with the exception of the second floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends several children's groups on a regular basis and takes children to the local parks.

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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 welfare, learning and development are not adequately promoted because the childminder has insufficient knowledge and understanding of many aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. As a result the childminder is in breach of a number of the specific legal requirements. Some appropriate procedures are implemented to promote children's health. Poor provision and use of resources, poor planning and lack of support means that children make insufficient progress in their learning and development. Parents are not meaningfully involved in supporting their children's learning or in making decisions about the provision. The process used for self evaluation is in its infancy and fails to identify a number of significant weaknesses. The childminder shows a commitment to improve but her capacity to maintain continuous improvement is weak.

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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?

 carry out a risk assessment for each type of outing and review it before embarking of each specific outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 31/01/2012 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure appropriate fire detection and control equipment, for example, the fire blanket, is in working order (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 31/01/2012

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further?

 ensure that there is a balance of adult-led and freely chosen or child initiated activities, delivered through indoor and outdoor play (Organisation) 31/01/2012

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further?

 plan and provide experiences which are appropriate to each child's stage of development as they progress towards the early learning goals (Organisation) 31/01/2012

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further?

 display the certificate of registration (Documentation) 31/01/2012 To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve the range of resources and activities to promote positive attitudes towards diversity and where necessary help children to value aspects of their own and other peoples lives  provide regular opportunities for children to practise the emergency evacuation procedures so that children become familiar with the routine in the event of an emergency and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  improve opportunities for parents to be involved in supporting their child's learning, contribute their views and suggestions, and be involved in the decision making about the provision so as to allow them to make informed contributions to assist improvement that will improve the quality of provision for all children

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the early years provision

The childminder knows and understands child protection issues and how to implement the safeguarding procedures. She has taken reasonable steps to minimise some risks and hazards to children inside her home. However, she does not have appropriate fire control equipment which is in working order. Emergency evacuation routines are not carried out inside the home to help children to develop an awareness of the routine to be followed in an emergency situation. The childminder takes children to the local children centres, library and parks. However, she does not carry out a risk assessment for each type of outing and is unable to demonstrate how children are kept safe when on outings. The childminder has also overlooked the requirement to display her certificate of registration. These failings constitute breaches of specific legal requirements put in place to promote children's welfare.

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the early years provision

The organisation of daily routines and the childminder's own appropriate practices minimise the risk of cross-infection and promotes children's health adequately. However, the childminder provides too little purposeful involvement in children's learning which impacts on their ability to understand how to behave within the setting. Consequently, children's safety is compromised. Self-evaluation has failed to provide the childminder with an accurate diagnosis of the strengths and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 weaknesses of the provision. As a result, too little is done to secure improvements. Opportunities to actively involve parents in the decision making about the provision have not been explored.

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the early years provision

The childminder exchanges information with parents about the service she provides through her written policies and procedures. Appropriate communication with parents about individual children's care is developed through regular verbal feedback. Parents are not encouraged to be involved in their children's learning and the childminder does not work effectively with parents to support children's cultural and linguistic needs. The childminder's own knowledge about diversity is too limited to help children learn positive attitudes and respect for others, or promote a sense of belonging. She lacks knowledge and understanding of different customs and practices, and how to support and meet individual needs, particularly around culture, religion and language. Resources are not adequate to support children's learning and development as they progress towards the early learning goals. The poorly resourced environment does not sufficiently engage or stimulate

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the early years provision

children's interest and does not provide children with a positive outlook of the wider community. There are currently no children on roll who attend other settings or need support from other agencies. The childminder is aware of the need to work in partnership with any other settings. However, she demonstrated insufficient knowledge of multi-agency working and how to get outside help to meet the needs of particular children with special educational needs and/or disabilities should the need arise.

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and outcomes for children

The range of adult-led and freely chosen or child initiated activities delivered through indoor and outdoor play is too narrow. Opportunities and outcomes for children are limited because there is insufficient attention to identifying children's starting points and learning needs. The childminder's lack of understanding of children's achievements and their next steps in learning means appropriate challenges are not routinely set for the children. Therefore children do not receive enjoyable and challenging learning and development experiences tailored to suit their individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an insecure knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop. As a result children spend much of their time with little purpose and are not helped to develop early fundamental skills that will equip them for future learning. The environment is under resourced and not conducive to children's learning. Children have insufficient opportunities to express themselves through imaginative play or explore different textures through creative activities and natural materials. There are few opportunities for children to develop their language for communication as the childminder rarely talks to the children. Mark making activities barely consist of one sheet of paper and one colouring pencil selected by the childminder. There are no books readily available for children to look at as they wish. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children investigate and explore interactive toys, pushing buttons and moving

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and outcomes for children

their body to the different sounds and music. However, the childminder's poor interaction and limited communication with the children does not help them to achieve and enjoy their learning. Children quickly become bored and show a lack interest in the few resources provided. For example, throwing the toys and jumping on furniture to get the childminder's attention. As a result, children are not beginning to learn behaviour boundaries or gain an understanding of what is expected. This poses an element of risk to their own and others' safety.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, children's health, physical and dietary needs are met adequately. Children are helped to acquire basic hygiene skills through the use of effective routines from an early age, such as hand washing at meal times and after nappy change. Children are offered a range of healthy and balanced meals and snacks provided by their parents, and drinking water is readily available. Children are able to sleep and receive drinks according to their individual needs. Babies and toddlers learn to control their own body gaining physical skills appropriate to their age and stage of development as they move around the environment. Trips to the local parks where they can use a range of equipment help to further enhance their balance and coordination. 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: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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