Home Childcarer in Suffolk

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 02/05/2013 20/04/2012

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 3 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

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This provision is satisfactory

 Children have good relationships with the childminder and they are happy and settled in her care.  The childminder provides a good range of outings and activities that promote children's individual learning needs.  The childminder shows high regard to organising the day to meet children's individual routines.

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It is not yet good because

 records of children's attendance are not consistently maintained or available for inspection at all times  the childminder has recently moved home, however, children and the childminder have not yet practiced the evacuation drill so that they know what to do in an emergency.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the childminders home.  The inspector undertook joint observations with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documentation including children's records, safeguarding procedures and parental consent forms.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and lives in the Thamesmead area of the London Borough of Bexley. She lives with her two children, one of whom is in the early years age range. All areas of the home are accessible to children. There is a communal garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are two children on roll in the early years age range. The childminder has a degree in education and hold Early Years Professional Status.

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must:

 ensure records are accessible and available for inspection

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 develop children's awareness of safety by practising fire drills so that children learn and understand these routines with predictable sequences and events.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 develop children's awareness of safety by practising fire drills so that children learn and understand these routines with predictable sequences and events.

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who attend

Children are happy in the childminders care as she provides activities that reflect their needs and interests. The childminder knows the children well. She observes children during play and makes assessments of their progress linked to the areas of learning. The childminder has taken action to improve the methods of assessment and in addition, she has recently gained the Early Years Professional Status qualification. As a result, she clearly understands children's learning and developmental needs.

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who attend

The childminder plans activities that help extend children's learning and spark their interest in the world around them. The childminder shares information about children's progress with parents on a regular basis. She encourages parents to discuss their children's learning at home. This promotes a consistent approach that effectively supports children's individual learning needs. The childminder provides a good balance of learning opportunities in the home. For example, children develop their independent learning skills as they choose toys and books that are stored at low level. This enables them to follow their own interests during play. Children also enjoy adult-led activities such as creative activities and story times. The childminder plans lots of outings in the local community to parks where children develop their physical skills as they use a variety of climbing equipment. They learn about the world around them during walks along the Thames to

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who attend

see the boats for example. Children develop their social skills as they mix with other children at the 'stay and play' sessions at the local children's centre.

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who attend

Children enjoy stories read by the childminder. They develop their language skills as they talk about the pictures. The childminder also talks to children about letters and the sounds they make. Children play imaginatively while using toy cars, planes and trains. They enjoy setting them out and fitting the pieces of the train track together. This develops their problem solving skills. The childminder develops children's maths skills during every day routines and during play. For example, they talk about the big and small cars and count objects during play.

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who attend

Children actively join in familiar songs with actions. They develop their creative skills while using paint and drawing materials and explore materials of different textures that the childminder puts in the water tray, for example. Children's language skills are successfully enhanced as the childminder engages them well. She is attune to their attempts at speaking and talks to them about what they are doing, asking questions that make them think. The childminder supports babies well and they enjoy exploring the toys around them. She supports them well in developing their physical skills as she encourages them to reach out for toys and develop their crawling skills. Children are making good progress and are happy and interested to learn.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children have good relationships with the childminder. They are happy in her care and enjoy lots of praise, cuddles and support during play. This helps them to feel safe and secure. Children are well behaved. They follow the daily routines well and help tidy away toys after use. The childminder gently reminds them about safety aspects, such as sitting on the chair appropriately while eating. However, less consideration is given to helping children to learn about emergency procedures as the childminder has not yet practised the fire drill with children in her new home.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder maintains good hygiene standards at all times. For example, she ensures the appropriate storage and preparation of foods brought by parents. She also follows good hygiene practice during nappy changing routines and sings songs with children so that they feel relaxed. Children are developing good self-care skills. The childminder supports them well during meal times and encourages them to put on their coats and shoes.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are becoming independent learners. They make choices from the toys and books stored at low level and follow their own interests during play. The childminder offers lots of encouragement and praise which encourages and motivates children to learn. The childminder is aware of supporting children in preparation for moving on to their next stage of learning. She works closely with parents to discuss children's learning needs and has systems in place to share the progress check when children are aged two years.

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provision

This inspection was brought forward following concerns regarding the provider's regard to risk assessment and notification of significant events, which is a legal requirement. Ofsted carried out an unannounced visit to the premises to discuss the information with the provider and issued the provider with a warning letter. Ofsted found that the provider had not reviewed the risk assessment in light of the significant event and the potential impact this could have on children's safety. Although not part of the original information provided, Ofsted found that the systems to ensure the individual needs of all children were not effective as the provider did not carry out ongoing observations and assessments or plan to meet the development needs of all children. Furthermore, resources to support learning and development for younger children were limited. Ofsted also found that the provider had not maintained a record of attendance for children. Actions were set to implement a

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provision

clear and well understood risk assessment policy and procedure to assess any risks to children's safety and review this regularly and to demonstrate how the decision is made to record risk assessment and how the risks are being managed, removed or minimised. Further actions were set to maintain a record of the children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance. Actions were set to ensure the provider considered the individual needs, interests and stage of development of each child to plan a challenging and enjoyable experience for each child in all areas of learning and development using observations and assessment. A further action was set to ensure that the premises and equipment meet the needs of each child ensuring furniture, equipment and toys are safe and suitable for their purpose. The provider responded in writing to confirm the action taken to meet the requirements.

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provision

The childminder has taken prompt action to minimise any risks to children and understands when she should notify the regulator concerning significant changes to her provision. She has recently moved home and has conducted risk assessments of her home to ensure children's safety. She has re-organized the toys and books so that children can reach them easily during play. She has also extended the range of resources that a suitable for younger children. The childminder demonstrates how she has improved her practice so that she meets children's individual learning needs through on-going observation, assessment and planning. The childminder also improved her practice relating to recording children's attendance. However, she has recently changed the way that she records children's attendance and now adds this information into their individual learning journals. As a result, these records were not available on the day of inspection as they

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provision

were held by the parents. This is a breach of requirements as the records of children's attendance are not maintained by the childminder and records not be easily accessible and available for inspection.

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provision

The childminder shows regard to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare. She has recently attended a safeguarding training course so that she is aware of procedures to follow if any safeguarding concerns arise. The childminder implements a range of policies and procedures aimed at promoting children's health, safety and wellbeing. Most documentation is accurately maintained relating to the children in her care and any accidents or medication administered, recorded, for example. The childminder completes daily risk assessments of the home and prior to any outings. She provides a welcoming learning environment with a range of toys and books that are suitable for the age range of the children attending. Children enjoy a variety of learning experiences that support all areas of learning. The childminder uses a variety of methods to evaluate the quality of her childminding service. She identifies her strengths and any areas that she plans to improve.

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provision

She keeps up to date with current practice by attending the local children's centre groups and completes training courses that extend her knowledge of childcare and education. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's needs are met effectively. She makes time to talk to parents when children are collected so that they know all details about their children's day. She also works with parents to promote children's progress and seeks information about children's learning and development at home. The childminder seeks parent's views and parents report that their children are happy in the childminders care.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

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actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

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To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

 keep a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  keep a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY433893 Local authority Greenwich Inspection number 914209 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 2

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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