Childminder in HertfordshireOfsted inspection, 21 Feb 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY402089 Inspection date 21/02/2012 Inspector Susan Parker

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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 in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire with her partner and one adult child. The whole of the house, with the exception of the first floor is used for childminding purposes. There is level access to the childminder's house but the lawned area of the rear garden is reached by three steps. The family has no pets. The childminder takes and collects children from the local nursery and school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and also 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 are generally happy and settled in the childminder's care. She is beginning to observe children's achievements and provides suitable activities. She keeps parents informed about what their children are doing and obtains information about their needs and routines. A risk assessment has not been carried out and inadequate safety precautions do not protect children.

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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?

 conduct and record a risk assessment and review it regularly (Suitable premises, environment and equipment ) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 06/03/2012

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further?

 take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children in case of fire. This refers to smoke detectors, fire blanket and evacuation procedure (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 06/03/2012

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further?

 ensure that outdoor and indoor spaces are safe, this refers to the greenhouse, and childrens access to possible hazards in the bathroom and kitchen cupboards. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 06/03/2012

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop further the observational assessments to include childrens next steps in their learning and development

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the early years provision

Children are not effectively safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect because the childminder has not effectively risk assessed the premises to identify risks to children. She has not practiced an emergency evacuation of the premises and has not ensured that fire detection and control equipment is suitably installed. Some areas of the premises, such as cupboards, are accessible to children and may contain harmful items. The glass greenhouse in the garden is accessible to children and may cause harm. Therefore, the childminder does not meet all the requirements of the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She has an adequate understanding of her responsibility to refer any concerns she may have about children's welfare. She has all the necessary contact information to be able to take the appropriate action, if required. Childrens individual needs are generally met, for example healthy eating and menus taking into account specific

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the early years provision

dietary requirements. The childminder is beginning to reflect on her practice, however, she has not effectively addressed previous actions from her registration. The childminder exchanges information about childrens activities through use of a daily diary. Parents complete individual contracts and give written permissions for the childminder to transport and care for their children. They have access to a wide range of policies and procedures relating to the childminders practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children appear settled and contented in the childminder's care. They are provided with a suitable range of appropriate activities. Activities such as craft, cooking and visits to the local Childrens Centre. Regular fresh air and exercise in the garden or local parks help develop childrens good health. They have healthy options for their lunch and snack and are developing an awareness of helping each other. For example, helping the childminder serve the lunch and drinks. General activities, such as sharing toys and playing co-operatively are developing. Childrens learning journeys contain photographs and some examples of the childrens pictures and marks. The childminder makes some annotations, however, these do not accurately record childrens progress or plan for the next steps in their learning and development. Childrens assessments are not very systematic and are not linked to the areas of learning to ensure that all areas of development are covered and

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident with the childminder and chat easily about their experiences to encourage their language development. Trips out teach children about the community and the wider world and cookery activities also provides opportunities for learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's health is promoted as they go out for walks regularly to get fresh air and to visit the park and local children's centres to develop physical skills. Satisfactory hygiene procedures are in place to prevent the risk of infection. The childminder incorporates some topics on health and hand washing so that children learn how to live a healthy life style. Topics such as road safety, are linked with activities at the local nursery.

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and outcomes for children

Childrens understanding of safety is not effectively promoted as they would not know what to do if they had to evacuate the premises in an emergency. They play in the garden but are not protected from the glass greenhouse. Children who use the bathroom independently could access the bathroom cupboards.

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and outcomes for children

Children have developed warm and trusting relationships with the childminder and so enjoy their time at the setting. They are leaning to be independent and to negotiate friendships and so are learning sound skills for the future. 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 in the early years section of the report (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 06/03/2012

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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 early years section of the report (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 06/03/2012

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