Childminder in Waltham Forest

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 19/09/2013 23/08/2010

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 4 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 4 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 4

p.1

This provision is inadequate

 The safeguarding and welfare requirements are not well understood by the childminder. She cares for too many children at any one time, fails to assess safety risks effectively, does not supervise children appropriately or teach children how to keep themselves safe and behave in safe ways. This compromises children's safety and has led to accidents.  The childminder further compromises children's welfare because she does not have suitable furniture and equipment to use at mealtimes and does not keep required documentation.  The childminder fails to promote children's learning and development adequately; there are insufficient toys within children's reach and the childminder does not give children sufficient attention. She also has little understanding of how to involve parents in the settling in process for new children.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 Children attend many different groups outside the home and this enables them to socialise with other children and enjoy some different activities.  The childminder is aware of children's special dietary requirements and ensures she provides the specified foods agreed with the parents, to promote children's good health.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The Inspector completed observations with the childminder and the minded children present in the lounge.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection about the systems she has in place for observation, assessment and planning.  The inspector sampled documentation the childminder uses to support her practice.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder registered in March 2010. She lives with her husband and their school age child in a first floor flat in Muswell Hill, in the London Borough of Haringey. The premises are accessed by a flight of stairs, there is no lift service. The childminder uses all areas of the home for childminding. The childminder does not have access to a garden; however, she takes children to local parks on a regular basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group.

p.3

enforcement action:

We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to: - ensure that the childminding arrangements meet the needs of all the children, to maintain their safety and ensure that they are adequately supervised - devise a clear and well-understood policy and procedure for assessing any risks to children's safety and review risk assessments regularly.

p.4

must:

 ensure that a written record of any accidents or injuries is made promptly so details can be shared with parents so they are aware of what happened and the first aid treatment their child receives

p.4

must:

 make sure that an accurate record of the children's hours of attendance each day is maintained

p.4

must:

 promote equality of opportunity for children; devise a way of ensuring that every child receives sufficient attention and that the individual needs of all children are met

p.4

must:

 ensure that furniture and equipment used is suitable for the age and stage of development of the children, with particular regard to seating provided for children at mealtimes; also make sure that toys and play resources are easy for children to reach so that they can make choices in their play

p.4

must:

 make sure that the behaviour management is appropriate; take account of the age and stage of children's development and help children develop an understanding of keeping safe

p.4

must:

 use observation and assessment to learn about children's interests and abilities; use information gathered to plan suitable learning experiences to promote children's all-round learning and development

p.4

must:

 tailor children's care to meet their individual needs and work more effectively in partnership with parents to help children to settle and build relationships with the children and their parents

p.4

must:

 ensure that children's learning and development is supported by improving systems of self-evaluation to accurately identify strengths and areas for development in the childcare practice.  improve knowledge of how to help children to increase their communication and language skills as well as possible, for example by talking aloud, describing what children are doing and encouraging them to comment on their play activities

p.4

who attend

The childminder has an insufficient understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She undertakes visual observations and assessments of children and uses these to assess their stage of development. She keeps records of these and complements them with many photographs to show the activities the children are involved in. However, the learning experiences provided are not matched to the individual needs of children and as a result children do not make adequate progress in their learning and development. The childminder finds it difficult to give equal attention to children of varying ages and abilities and this results in her spending the majority of her time engaged in play with the older and more vocal children, while the younger children are left to play alone. In addition the childminder does not ensure that young children have easy access to a sufficient range of

p.5

who attend

resources. For example the childminder reads a story to an older child but does include the younger child, neither does she consider making sure a selection of age appropriate books are available for children to look at themselves. Furthermore the childminder lacks understanding of how to support young children's communication and language skills. Although she communicates with the older children and asks them questions to extend their learning she does not understand how to support the very young children's early communication. For example, by modelling language and talking through and commenting on the activities the children are exploring. This restricts development and does not ensure that children are fully supported to make adequate progress in their learning.

p.5

who attend

The childminder takes many photographs of children and this demonstrates that they experience a range of activities. The childminder makes good use of community groups and outside play areas. However photographs show that some activities are not always matched to children's interests and are very adult directed. For example the childminder planned a foot printing activity however the photograph shows the childminder assisting the child by holding them and directing their feet onto the paper. This does not support the children in their confidence to explore the paint when they feel ready too.

p.5

who attend

The childminder provides verbal feedback and a daily diary to ensure parents are aware of their child's day and she regularly shares photographs with them. The childminder is flexible in her arrangements with parents, offering to pick up and take children home. However the childminder lacks understanding of ensuring she has sufficient information about each child's individual routines before they start and does not have a secure settling in period with parents to ensure she gets to know each child thoroughly.

p.5

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

Children's overall safety is compromised by the childminder's lack of awareness of supervising children and her understanding of suitable behaviour management strategies. For example, the childminder does not explain safety risks as children run around the home chasing each other and jumping on the sofa. This results in accidents occurring as children do not develop positive behaviours to keep themselves and other children safe.

p.6

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

The childminder's home is comfortable and she has a suitable range of resources. Some toys are stored in the living room and are easy for children to use. Other resources, such as books, are stored in a bedroom and this prevents younger children being independent to make choices. Although the childminder has appropriate equipment to use she does not ensure that the younger children sit on the booster seats at mealtimes and instead pushes the sofa up against the children's chair so they cannot slip off. This makes the children squashed and uncomfortable. This shows a lack of consideration for children's individual needs and well-being.

p.6

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

Children demonstrate that they are satisfactorily settled and happy within the childminder's care, for example, older children sit with her listening to stories. This shows that they generally feel secure and that she has established satisfactory relationships. Children are very loving to each other and greet each other with hugs. However, the childminder lacks understanding of the importance of working together with parents during the settling in process. She does not have a gradual settling in period with parents staying with their children and therefore some children take some time to fully settle and feel secure.

p.6

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

The childminder does attend to children's basic care needs ensuring they are given regular drinks and snacks. She has a secure awareness of children's individual dietary needs and works well with the parents to ensure she is fully aware of the foods that children may be intolerant too and provides suitable alternatives. Children benefit from being active and energetic and this supports their physical development. They go out every day to different parks or community groups where they can run freely and release their energy.

p.6

provision

This inspection took place following a concern that the childminder force feeds children and is rough in her handling of them. Although at inspection no evidence was found that this occurs, the childminder stated that she does encourage children to finish their lunches by feeding them and when visiting community groups she rushes the children when leaving as she has to collect a child from nursery at lunch time. This shows a poor understanding of how to meet children's individual needs and care for them sensitively.

p.6

provision

The childminder is not meeting all the welfare requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, some of which also apply to both parts of the Childcare Register. On this occasion Ofsted is taking enforcement action as the childminder is not meeting children's needs or promoting their safety adequately. The childminder has also exceeded the maximum number of children she may care for and this is a breach of the welfare requirements.

p.6

provision

The childminder lacks awareness of the importance of supervising children when in the home and when outdoors. This has resulted in a number of serious accidents occurring through a lack of risk assessment. For example an accident occurred in the park while the childminder was occupied using her mobile telephone. Supervision in the home is not secure enough as very young children play unsupervised in a bedroom and children are not learning about the dangers of running around the home chasing each other. Furthermore, the childminder lacks understanding of the importance of documentation as not all accidents are recorded immediately and the attendance register is inaccurately maintained. As a result, children's safety and welfare is compromised.

p.7

provision

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the safeguarding procedures to follow if she was concerned about a child's welfare or safety. Parents sign consent forms in respect of childcare arrangements. For example, they give permission for their children to go on outings or if children require medication.

p.7

provision

Although the childminder has attended many courses to support her development she does not recognise the weaknesses in her practice and therefore her capacity to improve is limited.

p.7

The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

p.7

actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

p.7

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

 ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise any identified risk (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance is maintained (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that records of accidents which occur on the premises are maintained (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise any identified risk (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance is maintained (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that records of accidents which occur on the premises are maintained. (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)

p.7

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.

p.9

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.

p.9

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.

p.10

Setting details

Unique reference number EY406932 Local authority Haringey Inspection number 936174 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 3

p.10

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.

p.10

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.10

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.

p.11

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,

p.11

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’.

p.12

Type of provision

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

p.12