Childminder in Brent

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18/10/2013 26/06/2012

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 4 Previous inspection: 3 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 childminder is not meeting a number of legal requirements to safeguard children's welfare. In addition, the childminder exceeds the maximum number of children she may care for and lacks awareness of the importance of making herself available for inspection.  Children's well-being and safety are compromised as the childminder lacks understanding of ensuring her home and garden are safe and free from any hazards. In addition, the childminder continues to fail to maintain a record of children's attendance, as required.  The childminder does not ensure that her assistant is competent to take sole charge of children as she does not hold a current first aid certificate. Furthermore, the childminder lacks awareness of ensuring children are not left unsupervised with any visitors to the home.  The childminder does not ensure she has appropriate insurance for transporting children in her vehicle. In addition, she does not ensure that records are easily

p.1

This provision is inadequate

accessible and available, in particular details of her driving licence.  The childminder does not demonstrate a suitable knowledge of the learning and development requirements to ensure children learn and develop appropriately. Children are not provided with learning opportunities and resources that consider their individual needs, interests and stage of development. This limits their progress.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 The childminder is aware of the safeguarding procedures to follow if she is concerned about a child's welfare or safety and has updated her first aid certificate to help her deal appropriately with children's minor accidents.

p.2

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 practices.  The inspector spoke to a parent on the telephone.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2004. She lives with her husband, her mother and father in- law and two children in Wembley in the London Borough of Brent. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently caring for two children in the early years group. She cares for one child in the later years age group before school.

p.3

enforcement action:

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

p.4

enforcement action:

devise a clear and well-understood policy, and procedures, for assessing and minimising or removing any risks to children's safety, and review risk assessments regularly.

p.4

enforcement action:

ensure that children are supervised at all times and not left alone with any individual whose suitability has not been checked.

p.4

enforcement action:

ensure that an accurate daily record of the children's hours of attendance is maintained in order to safeguard children's welfare and well-being.

p.4

must:

 ensure that any assistants who might be in sole charge of children hold a current first aid certificate and are competent in the areas of work they undertake

p.4

must:

 ensure that vehicles in which children are being transported and the driver of those vehicles are adequately insured

p.4

must:

 develop a secure understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, to promote the learning and development of all children

p.4

must:

 use observation and assessment of children in order to effectively plan and shape their learning experiences, and to ensure that children are provided with sufficient accessible resources to promote future learning and development

p.4

must:

 ensure that parents are provided with a short written summary of their child's development in the prime areas between the age of two and three years

p.4

must:

 improve knowledge of how to help children to increase their communication and language skills as well as possible by talking aloud, describing what children are doing and encouraging them to comment on their play activities

p.4

must:

 where children are provided with meals, snacks and drinks, they must be healthy, balanced and nutritious and meets the needs of the child

p.4

who attend

The childminder has a poor understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder does not ensure that young children have easy access to the resources, as a result children lack enthusiasm for learning and are not fully engaged in active play. The childminder does not routinely undertake observations in order to evidence children's starting points, track their progress and plan a suitable range of purposeful activities, which are age appropriate and challenge children. In addition, the childminder lacks awareness of the requirement of providing parents with a summary of their children's progress in the three most important areas of learning between the ages of two and three years. There is too much reliance on having the television on to keep children occupied and quiet. Furthermore, once the childminder provides a selection of toys, she does little to interact and support children in

p.5

who attend

their play. These failings demonstrate the childminder is unable to meet every child's individual learning needs.

p.5

who attend

The childminder lacks understanding of how to support young children's communication and language skills. Although she communicates with the children, this is mostly to give instructions. She lacks understanding of asking questions to extend children's learning or how to support young children's early communication such as, by modelling language and talking through and commenting on the activities the children are exploring. This restricts their development and does not ensure that children are fully supported to make adequate progress in their learning.

p.5

who attend

The childminder provides verbal feedback to ensure parents are aware of their children's day and she regularly shares photographs with them. The childminder is flexible in her arrangements with parents, offering to change contracted hours to support parents' work commitments. However, the childminder lacks understanding of ensuring she has sufficient information about each child's individual routines and interests when they first start. She also lacks confidence in how to engage parents in discussions about their child's needs, for example, by having discussions about nutrition and dietary needs. This limits continuity for promoting children's development between the setting and home.

p.5

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

Children's overall safety and well-being are compromised by the childminder's lack of awareness of ensuring her home and garden are completely safe. In addition, the childminder allows unchecked visitors to have unsupervised contact with children.

p.5

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

The childminder's home is comfortable overall, and she has a satisfactory range of resources. However, she does not always make sure toys are available, preferring to allow children to watch the television while she entertains and provides food for visiting adult friends. Children's emotional well-being is not supported adequately by the childminder. Although children are not distressed, they are too quiet and subdued. They show a lack of motivation and enthusiasm to play and explore.

p.5

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. Currently, parents provide their children's food. However, the childminder does not work effectively enough in partnership with parents to ensure they are aware of suitable age appropriate and nutritious foods to provide. Consequently, this lack of suitable nutrition can affect children's concentration and abilities over a long day. In addition the childminder makes little effort to encourage children to develop their independence, preferring to feed them rather than allowing children to master these skills for themselves.

p.6

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

Children benefit from some outdoor activity which supports their physical development. They go out regularly to different parks where they can run freely and release their energy. However, the childminder does not plan outings to local community groups to support children's social skills to enable them to play alongside other children.

p.6

provision

The childminder lacks understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection took place following concerns raised in relation to the safety of the childminder's home and garden. Evidence gathered at the inspection demonstrates that the childminder lacks knowledge of carrying out a risk assessment on her home and garden to ensure it is safe for children. Evidence was found that fencing and posts in the garden are broken and unsafe to children. In addition, in the home the childminder does not ensure cleaning materials are safely stored away from children and she does not ensure the front door is securely locked at all times. These failings compromise children's overall safety and welfare.

p.6

provision

The inspection findings demonstrate the childminder is not meeting all the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, some of which also apply to the requirements of the Childcare Register. On this occasion, Ofsted is taking enforcement action as the childminder is not promoting children's safety adequately or meeting their needs. Furthermore, the childminder has also exceeded the maximum number of children she may care for. This is a further breach of the welfare requirements as the childminder is caring for too many children in the early years age range and is therefore unable to meet their individual care and learning needs.

p.6

provision

Initially on arrival at the premises, the childminder did not make herself available for inspection, stating that none of the children present were in her care. However, she later explained that they were in her care.. The childminder lacks knowledge of the importance of maintaining all the required documentation and in particular, fails to keep a record of children's attendance. The childminder has had a previous action raised regarding maintaining a record of attendance, which she has not met. In addition, the childminder does not ensure all records are available, in particular she could not show evidence of having appropriate car insurance or a clean driving licence. Although the childminder has a family member registered as an assistant, their only role is to enable the childminder to leave children with them if she needs to do a school run. However, the childminder fails to ensure the assistant holds a current first aid certificate and is competent in her role.

p.6

provision

Furthermore, the childminder does not protect children from having unsupervised contact with any visitors, allowing unchecked adults to escort children upstairs. This has been raised as a concern in the past and an action was raised. These failings compromise children's welfare and their safety and show the childminder's lack of inclination to improve.

p.7

provision

The childminder demonstrates too little understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, there is currently no effective monitoring of children's ongoing progress through assessment. In addition, the activities are very limited and do not reflect the individual needs and interests of children sufficiently. This means children are not encouraged to reach their full potential. Furthermore, the childminder does not provide parents with a short written summary of children's progress in the prime areas of learning for children between the age of two and three years. This is a legal requirement.

p.7

provision

Nonetheless, the childminder shows some understanding of child protection policies and procedures and she is aware of her responsibilities if concerned about a child. The childminder knows how to report and record her concerns. The childminder completes medication and accident records when needed and holds a current paediatric first aid certificate, which supports her understanding of dealing with children's minor injuries.

p.7

provision

Although the childminder has attended many courses to support her development she does not recognise the weaknesses in her practice and has not made improvements when actions were raised in the past. This demonstrates 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 (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  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 (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 (compulsory 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 EY296011 Local authority Brent Inspection number 939972 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