Childminder in Telford and Wrekin

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 01/10/2013 08/03/2011

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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

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This provision is inadequate

 The childminder has insufficient knowledge or understanding of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage so fails to meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements. As a result, children's safety and welfare are compromised.  The childminder has insufficient understanding of how to meet the learning and development requirements, including how to provide a suitable range of activities and an appropriate learning environment for children. As a result, their learning and development needs are not promoted effectively to allow them to make progress and gain the skills they need for the future.  The childminder has not considered the quality and use of the space and environment which means that children's safety and enjoyment is compromised.

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It has the following strengths

 Children are taken to community groups by the childminder where they enjoy activities, such as singing and messy play, which aid their creative development.

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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 and interacted with children in the play room.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector toured the premises including the playroom, where children stay, and the other downstairs rooms.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed a sample of documentation including the daily register, certificates and the policy folder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 20 years and 17 years in Braintree, Essex. The childminder is currently caring for 19 children. Of these, six are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Information about the setting

One room is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two dogs. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups.

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enforcement action:

We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to:

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enforcement action:

ensure that you meet the indoor space requirements to meet the needs of the range of children cared for

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enforcement action:

have an effective system in place to ensure that assistants, and any other person who is likely to have regular contact with children (including those living or working on the premises) are suitable

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enforcement action:

ensure that you meet the required adult to child ratios as set out in the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage

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enforcement action:

take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children and others on the premises in the case of a fire or any other emergency, in particular exits must be clearly identifiable and doors must be free of obstruction and easily opened from the inside.

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must:

 improve and develop knowledge and understanding of all aspects of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, and ensure all requirements are met, in order to provide a safe and suitable care and learning environment which will enable all children to make progress.

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must:

 ensure that staffing arrangements are organised to ensure safety and to meet the needs of the children with particular regard to the supervision of children at all times

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must:

 ensure you have clear and well-understood policies and procedures, for assessing any risks to children's safety, and review risk assessments regularly

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must:

 ensure the premises and equipment are organised to meet the needs of children this refers to children being provided with suitable bedding and a place where they can rest and or sleep safely without disturbance.

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who attend

Children do not make sufficient progress or gain the skills they will need for the future as the childminder does not provide the resources or environment, which would offer them opportunities to play and learn, in accordance with their individual needs. For example, children have access to one room only, and do not use any other part of the house. This room is frequently too small for the numbers of children who attend, and at times is dangerously overcrowded. For younger children the ability to make choices and explore is limited as toys are stored in sealed boxes, with nothing set out for them to play with. They attend community groups a couple of times a week. Here they sing and enjoy creative activities, and mix with other children.

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who attend

The childminder does not understand the requirement to observe and assess children consistently, to determine their ability, and does not set any next steps based on what she sees they need to learn next, therefore, their progress is not built on and is limited. This is because she has not read the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and does not have sufficient knowledge of the prime and specific areas of learning. The childminder has not carried out any progress checks for children aged two, as she does not know how to do this. Parents therefore are not sufficiently well informed about their child's development, and are not alerted to matters which may require intervention if their child is not achieving expected levels of development.

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who attend

Children are not prepared well for the next stages of learning as they do not develop the skills and independence they need because they are cared for in a very limited environment which does not allow for the range of experiences they need.

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

Children's well-being is compromised because the childminder does not meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements. The childminder does not demonstrate an understanding of the space requirements for children and at times too many children are cared for in the one room that is available to them. The childminder employs a family member as an assistant to work alongside her but she has not carried out the required checks for suitability and has not informing Ofsted of the change to her practice. This is an offence and potentially compromises children's safety and well-being.

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

The childminder does not meet the required ratio for adults to children and on many occasions, for example, early mornings and after school hours, the registers show that there are too many children present, which seriously compromises their safety and well- being. The one room used for childminding is away from the kitchen and separated by doors and safety gates, so children are unsupervised when the childminder leaves the room to prepare drinks and food, which she brings to the playroom. The childminder demonstrates a lack of understanding of the risks to leaving children unsupervised in this way.

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

Children do not routinely play in the garden as priority is given to the dogs, who have the run of the patio area closest to the house. Children receive fresh air on the walk to school, but for some young children this means prolonged time spent in a buggy. For example, children have lunch in the buggy after attending an activity group, then sleep in the buggy. They are then taken on the school run so may spend more than four hours in the buggy. This does not promote their social and emotional development well or meet their needs for movement and play.

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

The room in which children are cared for has an exit to the back garden, but this is blocked with equipment so does not serve as an escape route. Because of the layout of the house, escape through the front door may be difficult with a large number of children, as there are two doors and a small hallway with a large double buggy stored there. This means children are at risk in the event of an emergency evacuation.

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

The dogs are normally kept away from children but when the childminder goes out one dog is placed in the children's playroom. This poses a hygiene risk as children share furniture and carpet used by the dogs, who have been on the patio where faeces are present.

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provision

This inspection was prioritised by Ofsted following receipt of information which gave rise to concerns regarding the safeguarding and welfare requirements. In particular, there was concern regarding the number of children being cared for and the space in which they are cared for. These concerns have been investigated during the course of this inspection and actions set as a result.

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provision

The childminder has attended a safeguarding children course to raise her awareness of how to spot the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect, and to enable her to respond to any concerns. However, she does not demonstrate a sound understanding of some aspects of safeguarding and the generally poor organisation of the care practice leaves children exposed to risks. No certificate of registration is displayed. This is a requirement of the Childcare Register.

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provision

Not all adults in the household are checked for suitability. The care space is frequently too small for the number of children cared for. Children are left unsupervised when the childminder leaves the room to prepare food or drinks, potentially risking their safety and well-being. There is too little understanding of the learning and development requirements, resulting in poor monitoring of children's progress. Children's development and progress is limited because the care space does not allow for the full range of activities they need to participate in to effectively challenge them and promote all the areas of learning. For example, after school, children have few choices and appear passive. There are no toys set out for younger children to easily access and engage with.

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provision

Improvement since the last inspection is poor and shows a deterioration in standards. None of the recommendations have been tackled as the childminder lacks the knowledge to help her improve. The childminder has not responded to communication from Ofsted in regard to carrying out mandatory checks on household members and as a result children are not protected.

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provision

While the childminder has some understanding of the weakness in practice, for example, documentation, she does not demonstrate the ability or willingness to tackle these and bring about the necessary improvements.

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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:

 ensure that any person caring for or having regular contact with children is suitable to work with children: this includes obtaining a Disclosure and Barring Service check (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that the premises and equipment used for the purposes of childcare are safe and suitable for that childcare (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  display the certificate of registration at all times (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that any person caring for or having regular contact with children is suitable to work with children: this includes obtaining a Disclosure and Barring Service check (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that the premises and equipment used for the purposes of childcare are safe and suitable for that childcare (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  display the certificate of registration at all times (voluntary part of the Childcare

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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 202616 Local authority Essex Inspection number 937894 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 19

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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

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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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