Childminder 139017

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29/11/2013 07/01/2013

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 childminder has failed to complete a risk assessment to ensure children's safety in relation to them being cared for by an assistant. This includes the failure to maintain ratios, obtain permission for sole charge and ensuring that an assistant has a first aid qualification when left alone with children. These weaknesses place children at risk.  The childminder does not record children's attendance, obtain statutory information for some children, obtain permission for outings or implement a mobile phone and camera policy. Her general understanding of safeguarding and welfare requirements is poor. She does not know how to recognise signs of abuse, the procedure to follow if she has a concern or what to do if an allegation is made.  The childminder has failed to ensure other adults working with the children are competent in the areas of work they undertake. Behaviour is not managed in a positive

p.1

This provision is inadequate

way. Children's learning and development needs are not met.  The childminder does not provide supportive experiences to challenge children. She fails to share information about children's learning, their key persons or the progress check for two-year-olds.  Partnerships with parents and others are not focussed on providing continuity of care or learning. Parents do not get details of how the Early Years Foundation Stage is delivered in the setting, of policies, Ofsted's contact details or a procedure to follow if they wish to complain.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 The childminder takes the children to a number of community groups and they enjoy trips out to the local parks.

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 observed activities in the main play room.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector engaged in ongoing discussion with the childminder and examined samples of policies and other records.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's records, suitability checks and documentation for adults living and working in the home.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector discussed the process of self-evaluation, including obtaining the views of parents.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder started in 1999 and registered with Ofsted in 2001. She lives with her husband, adult son and three children in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire. The downstairs of the premises are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She works with an assistant and a co-childminder. Currently she has 12 children on roll in the early years age range who attend on a part-time basis.

p.3

enforcement action:

We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to: - keep a daily record of the names of the children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance and the names of each child's key person. - ensure there is a clear and well-understood policy, and procedures, for assessing any risks to children's safety in order to remove, minimise and manage risks, with particular regard to the use of assistants and co-minders. - ensure ratios are met at all times, with specific regard to the use of assistants and co- minders. - implement a policy, and procedures, to safeguard children which is in line with the guidance and procedures of the relevant Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) and include an explanation of the action to be taken in the event of an allegation being made and also covers the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting. - obtain an up to date knowledge of safeguarding issues to identify signs of possible abuse

p.4

enforcement action:

and neglect at the earliest opportunity, and to respond in a timely and appropriate way. - ensure parents are informed of how the EYFS is being delivered and how they can access more information; the type of activities and experiences provided, the daily routines and how parents can share learning at home; and details of policies and procedures; including the procedures to be followed if a parent fails to collect a child at the appointed time, or a child goes missing. - obtain parents and/or carers permission to leave children with an assistant, including for very short periods of time. - ensure the following information is recorded for each child: full name; date of birth; name and address of every parent and/or carer who is known to the provider (and information about any other person who has parental responsibility for the child); which parent(s) and/or carer(s) the child normally lives with; and emergency contact details for

p.4

enforcement action:

parents and/or carers. - ensure any assistant who might be in sole charge of the children for any period of time, holds a current paediatric first aid certificate. - obtain written parental permission for all children to take part in outings.

p.4

must:

 observe children to understand their level of achievement, interests and learning styles and provide an appropriate range of resources, in order to shape learning experiences for each child, reflecting those observations through planned, purposeful play and through a mix of adult-led and child-initiated activity.

p.4

must:

 update knowledge of the learning and development requirements in order to consider the individual needs, interests and stage of development of each child, and use this information to plan a challenging and enjoyable experience for each child in all of the areas of learning and development  complete a progress check for each child between the age of two and three years, in order to provide parents/carers with a written summary of their child's development in the prime areas of learning which identifies the child's strengths, and any areas where the child's progress is less than expected.

p.4

must:

 ensure the premises and equipment must be organised in a way that meets the needs of children

p.5

must:

 ensure that assistants are competent in the areas of work they undertake

p.5

must:

 obtain and share information regularly with professionals, parents and carers and other early year providers to allow an effective two-way flow of information that informs planning and supports effective teaching

p.5

must:

 put in place a procedure for dealing with concerns and complaints from parents and/or carers, and keep a written record of any complaints, and their outcome

p.5

must:

 implement a behaviour management policy, and procedures

p.5

must:

 make available to parents and/or carers details about how to contact Ofsted, if they believe the provider is not meeting the EYFS requirements

p.5

must:

 improve self-evaluation systems and use this to drive future improvements by identifying the settings strengths and weaknesses accurately and taking appropriate action to address these

p.5

must:

 ensure records are easily accessible and available

p.5

who attend

Children are not making adequate progress in their learning overall because the childminder demonstrates a poor ability to promote suitable learning outcomes for them. This is because she fails to sufficiently plan for or deliver a range of activities to promote adequate outcomes for the children in her care. She acknowledges that she has let her practice lapse and admits that she has failed to gather information about new children's starting points in their learning on entry or make observations of any of the children in their play. Tracking on children's progress is also not undertaken. The childminder is aware of the requirement to complete assessments of two-year-old children's progress in the most important areas of learning, but has not met her statutory responsibility to complete these.

p.5

who attend

The quality of teaching is poor because the childminder and her assistants miss valuable opportunities to build on and extend children's learning. This is because these adults do not have a secure understanding of how young children learn, how to engage with them successfully or challenge them in their play in order to drive progress. As a result, it was observed that children occupy themselves with the toys on offer but do not have opportunities to engage in well-focused and motivating activities. Overall, observations indicate that adults have an insecure understanding of how to link what children should be working towards in their learning with the range of play activities on offer. This means that when they do interact with the children they fail to focus on what the children already know and can do, or to support them further through appropriate modelling and levels of support appropriate to their individual needs. The childminder does not make sure that

p.6

who attend

behaviour is managed in a positive way because some adults make inappropriate references to children's behaviour as being 'naughty' which does not foster children's self- esteem.

p.6

who attend

On the day of the inspection, younger children sat for much of the morning in high chairs with little to play with, while older children had some opportunities to make marks with crayons at low tables. Further activities included the opportunity for children to watch cartoons on the television because the childminder had omitted to plan a range of learning opportunities or experiences for that day as she had planned to attend an appointment elsewhere. As a result, children demonstrate a general lack of motivation in their play, which can be directly attributed to the adults' failure to recognise or meet their specific learning needs. Overall, children's progress is not as good as it should be, given their ages and stages of development because the childminder has a poor regard to supporting children's learning. For some children, this lack of support means that the achievement gap between them and their peers is widening. As a result, children do not acquire the

p.6

who attend

skills and attitudes necessary to prepare them for their next stage in learning and school. The childminder does not share good quality information with parents about their child's progress or engage them to become actively involved by finding out about children's interests at home and including these interests in her planning.

p.6

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

The current key person system within the childminding arrangement does not support children in developing secure attachments with adults or each other. This is because the levels of individual attention that children receive are poor because good quality information is not shared with other adults who care for the children. This means they are unaware of the needs or routines of each child and so are unable to meet them. Children's safety is also compromised as there are occasions when adult to child ratios are not met, and one adult has to care for too many children at one time. This does not help children feel safe and affects their emotional well-being and ongoing safety. In addition, it does not provide children with a positive first experience of being away from their parents or help them to feel secure in the care of others. Children's health needs are not met because the childminder's assistant does not have a

p.6

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

first aid qualification and on occasions has sole charge of children. In particular, she was left in sole charge of several very young children at breakfast time, where there is an increased risk of choking The lack of emergency contact numbers or medical information also has the potential to compromise children's good health. Given the seriousness of the breach in respect to the number of children, their young age and the breaches in requirements, Ofsted will issue a welfare requirement notice to ensure the necessary improvements are made to safeguard children's well-being.

p.7

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

Children have access to a playroom which is suitably resourced and an outdoor area that allows them space to run and explore. However, these spaces are not used effectively in the day to promote children's learning. The number of children present and fact that they remain confined to the main playroom, limits the opportunity for children to spread out the toys or resources and become involved in play. High chairs and other equipment further limit the space available for children's use, which restricts play opportunities. In addition, because the childminder does not extend her childminding to other areas of her home, older and younger, less mobile children are mixed together. This does not support young children's physical development because they do not have a safe space to learn new skills, such as walking. This limits experiences for physical development and active learning.

p.7

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

There are limited opportunities for children to develop an understanding of healthy lifestyles. Children have some access to an outdoor play space when the childminder allows them outside to play. However, this is not used sufficiently to support children's well-being, especially in the day when children remain inside for long periods. Photographs show that children do have some opportunities to access parks or visit areas in the community such as, the local garden centres to build on their understanding of the wider world. The childminder does not currently provide meals or snacks and children are offered food from their own lunchboxes when they are hungry. Adults do not work with parents to ensure these contain sufficient choices for the day and adults give young children crisps and chocolate when others are eating cereal for breakfast. Photographs show minded children drinking cans of fizzy sugary drinks when out on trips which does

p.7

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

not promote children's understanding of healthy food choices. There are few opportunities currently for children to learn about staying safe or to take suitable risks in their play in order to learn how to keep themselves safe.

p.7

provision

This inspection was brought forward as a result of information received by Ofsted that related to how the childminder manages children's behaviour. At the inspection it was found that the childminder had adequate behaviour management procedures in place but these she did not ensure that these were understood and implemented by other adults working with children, so that teaching was consistent. In addition, because the childminder has not remained up to date with her statutory responsibilities, she was found to be in breach of a number of legal requirements. This means the childminder has failed to meet many of the requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage, so neither children's well-being nor their learning and development are sufficiently promoted.

p.7

provision

Risk assessment procedures are not robust enough to promote children's ongoing well- being. On the day of the inspection, the childminder left her assistant in sole charge of a number of young children. She had not sufficiently risk assessed the arrangement and as a result, failed to obtain prior permission from parents for the arrangement or ensure that an adult, who holds a valid first aid certificate, was present. The childminder also failed to ensure that adult to child ratios were met during this time, and left the assistant caring for number of very young children. As a result children's safety was compromised because the assistant was unable to meet the children's needs or ensure their safety. Ofsted has asked the childminder on a previous occasion to ensure that parents are informed of changes to her childminding arrangements in relation to the use of assistants. She has failed to ensure that parents are made sufficiently aware of the routines or activities and

p.8

provision

experiences provided, which is a breach of requirements. Ofsted intends to take further action by issuing a welfare requirement notice.

p.8

provision

The childminder does not have robust policies or procedures that safeguard children. In particular, she does not have a secure understanding of identifying or recording concerns about children's well-being or the reporting procedures to follow to work in partnership with other agencies. She is not confident in the procedure to follow should an allegation be made against her or another adult working with her in the home. Children's safety is further compromised because she does not collect information about who has parental responsibility for the child. She has failed to implement a mobile phone and camera policy because she was unaware of her responsibility to have one or share this policy with her assistant. She has also failed to keep a daily record of children's attendance and the hours they were cared for and it is not clear which adult cares for the children and when, as this record is not clearly kept. The childminder also does not provide parents with information

p.8

provision

on how to contact Ofsted if they wish to raise a concern or have a clear policy for complaints. The childminder does not monitor how other adults working with children implement her policies and procedures which has led to inconsistent practice. Some documentation that relates to this childminding arrangement is not accessible for inspection, for example, the insurance certificate and co-childminder's first aid qualification. These breaches of legal requirements do not support children's safety or demonstrate a secure regard for safeguarding. The childminder also does not meet the requirements for the Childcare Register.

p.8

provision

Self-evaluation procedures overall are weak. The childminder is unable to demonstrate what progress children are making or how she will support them further. This is because she has failed to monitor children's learning or deliver the learning and development requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has not established working relationships with parents or other providers to promote continuity by sharing information on children's learning. Furthermore, the childminder demonstrates an overall lack of commitment to monitoring the quality of the service she provides. In particular, since her last inspection she has failed to maintain any of her documentation, some of which is vital in order to safeguard the children in her care. This includes the failure to obtain the required written consent to take children on outings, or information about where and with whom the child lives and their parents' or carers' full names and

p.8

provision

addresses, emergency contact numbers and dates of birth. The failure to keep these records, identify and proactively manage risk, monitor the use of assistants and share information with parents have all been noted at previous visits made by Ofsted. The childminder's practice has lapsed again which does not indicate that she has capacity to sustain improvements. The outcome of these inspection findings and the childminder's continued failure to meet requirements is that Ofsted will issue a welfare requirement notice to ensure the necessary improvements are made to safeguard children.

p.9

The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

p.9

actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

p.9

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

 keep and implement 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 (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment: at least once in each calendar year, and immediately, where the need for an assessment arises (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that children's behaviour is managed in a suitable manner (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  make the following information available to parents: information about the activities the children will undertake, copies of the written statements of safeguarding procedures and complaints procedures and Ofsted's address (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure there is a written statement of procedures in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in

p.9

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

writing or by email (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  keep records of the following and retain them for a period of two years: the name, home address and date of birth of each child who is looked; the name, home address and telephone number of a parent/guardian/carer of each child who is looked after; a daily record of the names of the children looked after and their hours of attendance (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  keep and implement 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 (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment: at least once in each calendar year, and immediately, where the need for an assessment arises (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that children's behaviour is managed in a suitable manner (voluntary part of

p.9

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

the Childcare Register)  make the following information available to parents: information about the activities the children will undertake, copies of the written statements of safeguarding procedures and complaints procedures and Ofsted's address(voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure there is a written statement of procedures in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  keep records of the following and retain them for a period of two years: the name, home address and date of birth of each child who is looked after; the name, home address and telephone number of a parent/guardian/carer of each child who is looked after; a daily record of the names of the children looked after and their hours of attendance (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)

p.10

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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. 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

p.11

Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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.11

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.12

Setting details

Unique reference number 139017 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 941804 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 12

p.12

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.12

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.12

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.12

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.12

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.13

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.13

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.14

Type of provision

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

p.14