Childminder in Lewisham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY347261 Inspection date 06/03/2012 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 was registered in 2007. He lives with his partner and two children aged three and seven years in the London Borough of Lewisham. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with the exception of two bedrooms on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. He is currently minding three children in this age group. He also provides care for children over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends parent and toddler groups and takes children to the park.

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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 and safety is not promoted effectively as the childminder is in breach of several of the specific legal requirements. These relate to safeguarding, safety and documentation. Self-evaluation has failed to identify a number of significant issues. As a result, plans for the future are limited and not well targeted to bring about continuous improvements to the provision and outcomes for children. For the most part, children are making steady progress in their learning. However, specific areas of children's learning are less well supported because of limitations in assessments and planning, and activities and resources to promote diversity. Adequate relationships have been established with parents/carers and partnerships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage for children that attend other settings are less well established.

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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?

 request written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 20/03/2012

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further?

 keep a record of accidents and inform parents of any accidents or injuries sustained by the child whilst in 20/03/2012 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 your care (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register)  obtain public liability insurance (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 20/03/2012

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further?

 take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 20/03/2012

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further?

 keep a daily record of the children's hours of attendance (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 20/03/2012

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further?

To improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop observations of children to assess their progress and plan the next steps in their learning  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  develop further partnerships with other providers to fully support children's progression and continuity of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder does not adequately maintain records to ensure the safe and efficient management of the setting. For example, the children's attendance records do not reflect their daily hours of attendance. In addition, the childminder does not keep a record of all accidents which involve the children being cared for or request written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. Furthermore, the childminder has failed to ensure that his provision carries public liability insurance. This potentially compromises children's welfare and children are at risk because proper care or follow-up is not assured. The childminder has not taken all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum. For example, the bedroom on the first floor is used to store decorating materials which are easily accessible to the children. This poses an element of risk to children's safety. The childminder

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the early years provision

demonstrates adequate knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and how to proceed if he has a concern about a child in his care. There are appropriate procedures in place to prevent the spread of infection.

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the early years provision

There is a suitable range of equipment and toys that supports children's learning across most areas. However, the environment does not reflect or promote positive attitudes to diversity. Children have limited access to resources that portray positive images of different culture, ethnicity or disability. The childminder makes use of the local amenities so that children can begin to participate in the local community religious and cultural celebrations. However, he does not gain This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 information from parents with regard to their own culture or religion so that he can help each child to develop a positive sense of identity, value themselves and respect differences in others. Although there are no children currently attending with special educational needs and/or disabilities the childminder liaises with the local authority inclusion team. This enables him to access specialist knowledge,

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the early years provision

skills and resources should the need arise. The childminder communicates with other providers, although information is not always used to fully support children's continuous learning.

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the early years provision

Parents receive detailed information about the setting and are kept up to date about main events that are taking place. There are clear and accessible channels for the parents to communicate with the childminder, for example, via text messaging and emails. Parents are invited to express their views, both verbally and through questionnaires. Their suggestions are valued and used to improve the service provided. For example, the implementation of a daily contact diary is used to keep parents well informed about their child's care and achievements. Since the last inspection the childminder has achieved a professional qualification to further develop his knowledge and understanding of current childcare practices. Although the childminder has begun to reflect on his practice, little action has been taken to address the recommendations raised at the last inspection relating to documentation. This has a significant impact on children's welfare and

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the early years provision

demonstrates a limited capacity to make ongoing improvements.

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and outcomes for children

Overall, children are generally developing the necessary skills they require to support most aspects for their future learning. The childminder plans activities around the children's interests and provides an adequate balance of adult-led and child-initiated play experiences. However, observational assessments are inconsistent and not frequent enough to monitor individual children's progress across all areas of learning in order to plan appropriate activities to challenge them further.

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and outcomes for children

Children show obvious enjoyment in books and can retell well-known stories. The childminder asks open ended questions and uses the pictures to help stimulate children's thoughts and build their confidence to talk in a group. Children negotiate well when playing with their friends. They express their imaginary ideas and experiences openly using good vocabulary. They enjoy dressing up and making up their own games as well known characters. Whilst playing with small world cars and play people they discuss how they intend to fix a car that is not working. However, there are limited opportunities given to children to practice mark making in different role play and imaginative situations. Children are beginning to gain some understanding about the society in which they live through the local community experiences that they participate in. However, the range of activities and resources inside the childminder's home do not help children to develop their

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and outcomes for children

awareness of diversity or embrace differences. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children take part in a range of activities which challenge their imagination and creativity. They use different textured arts and craft materials to make patterns. They develop their fine motor skills as they use their hands and a range of tools to cut and mould dough. Children have fun cutting out and using different shapes such as, triangles and stars to form their own creations. They make a tower of 10 balls, taking turns to count as they add one more. This is extended into role play cooking.

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and outcomes for children

All children enjoy warm relationships with the childminder whose kind words of praise nurtures their strong sense of well-being. Children play well alongside their friends and take responsibility by helping each other to tidy up activities after use and serving drinks. They are encouraged to be safety conscious indoors but sometimes need prompting. Their understanding of safety issues is further enhanced outdoors as they practice road safety. Children explain that they have to check for cars when crossing the road. However, the weaknesses in safeguarding mean children's safety cannot be assured. Children follow and become aware of appropriate personal hygiene and self-care skills through daily routines. They consistently wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet; and describe their individual hand towels which must be used to dry their hands. The childminder offers gentle explanations as to why they must not handle pets whilst

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and outcomes for children

eating and the importance of washing their hands after touching the dog.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to make healthy choices about what they eat and are continuously offered water through out the day. They help to make their own meals. For example, puff pastry pizza using a range of nutritious toppings such as, grated cheese, fresh fruits and salad vegetables. Children regularly take part in and enjoy a range of activities that contribute to their health and develop their physical skills, balance and coordination. For example, the use ropes to aid climbing up and down steep slopes, and explore sound, rhythm and dance when pretending to be volcanoes. They discover worms when digging in the garden which helps to stimulate their natural curiosity. 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 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

 devise 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) 20/03/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 obtain insurance in respect of liability which may be incurred for death, injury, public liability, and or other loss (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 20/03/2012

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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, Records to be kept) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 20/03/2012

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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 under the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Arrangements for safeguarding children, Suitability and safety of premises and equipment, Records to be kept, Insurance) 20/03/2012

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