Childminder in Islington

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 14/01/2014 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 4 Previous inspection: Not Applicable 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 is breaching the safeguarding and welfare requirements because she has failed to notify Ofsted she is working with two assistants. As a result, Ofsted are unable to carry out appropriate checks to assess their suitability to work with children.  The childminder is caring for more children than the requirements of registration allow to fully ensure their safety and welfare.  The childminder is failing to maintain some of the required documentation to help safeguard children's welfare. She does not keep a record of children's attendance or consistently record the medication she administers to children.  Self-evaluation systems are not robust enough to identify and address key weaknesses in practice.

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It has the following strengths

 Children are happy and content in the childminder's care. They benefit from the close and secure attachments that they have established with her.  The childminder has an understanding of child development and her role in supporting children's needs.

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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 carried out observations on the childminder, both inside the home and on a trip to the local park.  The inspector engaged in discussions with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took into account the views of parents spoken to on the day of the inspection.  The inspector viewed documentation available relating to the childminder's practice.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2011. She lives with her husband in Archway. in the London Borough of Islington. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a garden for children to play outside. There are six children on roll, who are all in the early years age range and attend on a full and part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder works with assistants to help care for the children.

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must:

 notify Ofsted of any changes that affect your registration, including changes of persons working on the childminding premises

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must:

 maintain a daily record of the names of children being cared for on the premises, which includes their hours of attendance

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must:

 ensure when obtaining written parental consents for administering any medication to children that you include the details of each medicine and maintain accurate records of each medication after it has been administered

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must:

 ensure the systems used to foster continuous improvement are robust; make sure that self-evaluation identifies and addresses key weaknesses, priorities and targets for improvement based on rigorous monitoring of practice.

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who attend

Most of the children attending are of very similar ages and the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of their needs and overall, she provides for them effectively. She has suitably adapted her home to make it conducive to their needs. She provides sufficient space for children to move around to freely explore and enjoy their environment. Resources are appropriately stored at low level to enable children to gain safe and easy access. They show a real interest as they satisfy their curiosity by exploring the contents of the boxes.

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who attend

Children are beginning to develop their understanding of how things work as they access resources that encourage them to use their exploratory skills. They enjoy seeing the effects as they press buttons, turn knobs and explore textures. In addition, they show great excitement through their squeals of joy as they enjoy a hand painting activity, where they explore textures, painting themselves and others. Children's language development is suitably fostered by the childminder. She provides them with an open dialogue, as she talks continuously and shares positive interactions with them. The childminder encourages them to communicate their needs using sounds and gestures to which she responds appropriately.

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who attend

The childminder effectively identifies children's starting points using information gathered from parents and her early observations on children during their settling in period. She provides regular feedback to parents on the progress that their children are making and she provides them with an up-to-date progress reports throughout the year.

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

The childminder provides a welcoming and child-orientated learning environment, where children can move around freely accessing a range of toys, resources and play materials. She supports their play well and provides them with the freedom to explore, under her supervision. She demonstrates a sound understanding of her role in helping young children as they develop their understanding of behavioural boundaries and children respond well to her calm and sensitive approach. However, weaknesses identified in her practice potentially compromise children's health, safety and their well-being.

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

The childminder is caring for young children with whom she has built affectionate and caring relationships. Children clearly benefit from these because this helps them feel safe and secure. There are sound procedures in place that help new children settle well into her care as they learn to separate from their main carers. The childminder generally promotes children's health and physical needs well as she follows their familiar routines for rest and sleep and provides regular opportunities for them to engage in physical activity. She takes children on regular walks to the park and visits different groups and physical play activities, which they thoroughly enjoy as they become confident in their physical ability.

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provision

This inspection was took place as a result of concerns raised to Ofsted relating to ratios, equal opportunities, information for parents and carers and changes that must be notified to Ofsted. The inspection found that the childminder has a sound awareness of the learning and development requirements and her role in supporting children's learning. However, she is in breach of the safeguarding and welfare requirements for the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and the associated requirements of the Childcare Register. This is because she has not informed Ofsted that she is working with assistants, although she advises that she does not leave them alone with children. Consequently, Ofsted have been unable to carryout suitability checks to satisfy themselves that the assistants are fit to work with children. This affects the childminder's ability to demonstrate that she is able safeguard children. In addition, the childminder is not

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provision

complying with the conditions of her registration, as she is caring for more children in the early years age group than her conditions allow. However, the childminder is meeting the adult to child ratios as she is not working alone to care for these children. On this occasion, Ofsted will not take action regarding this breach of requirements.

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provision

The childminder does not maintain the records of children's attendance or complete records of administered medication consistently. These are breaches of requirements for the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage and for the Childcare Register. As a result, some of the required information has not been obtained, including parent's signatures of consents and the details of the medication administered.

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provision

Regardless of the weaknesses identified, the childminder has developed positive working relationships with parents. She involves them fully in the settling process and regular exchanges information with them, which provides children with some continuity in their care and learning. The childminder realises how the weaknesses in her organisation have affected the quality of her provision. She demonstrates a positive attitude towards addressing the issues identified and securing future improvements in order to provide a high quality provision for children. However, the current system of self-evaluation is not robust enough to identify the breaches in requirements.

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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 assistants caring for children are suitable to work with children, which must include obtaining an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check through Ofsted (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  maintain 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 record of any medicine administered to any child who is cared for on the premises, including the date and circumstances and who administered it, together with a record of a parent/guardian/carer's consent (compulsory part of the Childcare Register).  ensure that any assistants caring for children are suitable to work with children, which must include obtaining an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check through Ofsted (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  maintain a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises

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

and their hours of attendance (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  keep a record of any medicine administered to any child who is cared for on the premises, including the date and circumstances and who administered it, together with a record of a parent/guardian/carer's consent (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 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

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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.

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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 EY430514 Local authority Islington Inspection number 948281 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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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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