Childminder in West Sussex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 05/02/2014 12/02/2013

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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 regularly cares for more children than her registration allows which means their individual needs are not always met.  The childminder has not recognised the risks there may be for children while out walking in large numbers.  Although the childminder is aware of signs that children may be at risk of harm, she does not know who to report her concerns to so children are protected.  The childminder does not efficiently record the times children are present each day to accurately show their attendance and keep them safe in case of emergency evacuations.  The childminder's home does not provide sufficient space for the numbers of children in her care at some times, to play or rest in comfort.  The childminder's home is cluttered and hygiene procedures are not sufficient to protect children from the risk of the spread of infection.  The childminder engages well with some children, but the babies and toddlers are often

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This provision is inadequate

left to choose what they do so are not engaged and focused and so they become bored.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder talks to children continuously so their language for communicating is encouraged.  The childminder knows the parents well and works in close partnership with them.

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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 had discussions with the childminder, parents and children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documentation including attendance records, safeguarding procedures and adult suitability checks.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the ground floor rooms of the childminder's home.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 1989. She lives with her husband, two teenage and two adult children, in the village of Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder has one dog and two cats as family pets.

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Information about the setting

The childminder is currently minding 15 children up to the age of 14 years and 10 of those are in the early years age range. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder occasionally works with another childminder. The childminder collects children from the village school and attends a variety of local toddler groups each week.

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enforcement action:

We issued a Welfare Requirements Notice that requires the provider to:

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enforcement action:

ensure risks are identified and minimised for outings, including consideration of adult to child ratios

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enforcement action:

ensure relevant ratio requirements are met and staffing arrangements meet the needs of all children and ensure their safety

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enforcement action:

ensure the premises, including furniture, equipment and toys, are fit for purpose and kept clean and safe for children to use, including complying with health and safety legislation

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enforcement action:

ensure suitable hygienic arrangements are in place where children are provided with meals, snacks and drink .

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must:

 keep an accurate record of the names of children being cared for and the hours they attend

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must:

 ensure the space requirements are met at all times, including when older children are present

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must:

 improve knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues, including the procedures to follow and agencies to be notified if there are concerns about children's safety and/or welfare or in the event of any allegation of serious harm or abuse

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must:

 improve the educational programme for babies and the youngest children so they are engaged in challenging and enjoyable experiences that meet their individual needs, interests and stage of development.

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who attend

Although the childminder takes some steps to meet the needs of the children who attend, the weaknesses identified in safeguarding and promoting children's welfare mean the learning environment is not supportive enough to allow children to play and learn safely. The childminder provides opportunities for children to choose what they play with which they do happily. Some children often ask the childminder for things to do such as watch television programmes or read stories. The childminder sits with children cosily together and engages most children well as they look at books together about aliens. The childminder asks the children what makes the aliens look odd and they count their eyes to find some have three. The childminder relates this to the children and invites them to count their own eyes and discover that as they only have two, the alien has one more. Younger children lose interest quickly and run around so the childminder tries to engage

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who attend

them with singing. They roll their arms around as the childminder sings 'roly poly' but soon children resume their game of running. The childminder talks about the colours of the rockets in the book and the aliens' features, such as ears and teeth. She cleverly relates this to children who have lost their first 'baby' teeth and left them under their pillow for the tooth fairy to collect and replace with money. She explains that this happens for all children. Some children confidently ask questions of the childminder, who happily sits and engages with them. The childminder puts chairs together for them to sit on, calling them 'talking chairs' and they sit and discuss whatever children ask, such as 'tell me about thunder'. However, although the childminder responds well to the older confident children, the younger toddlers are overlooked. They run around aimlessly as the childminder does not provide activities for them to be challenged, interested and engaged.

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who attend

The childminder takes children out every day, often to local groups where they experience a wider range of activities with groups of other children to develop their social skills. For example they go to music, rhyme and movement groups which introduce children to rhythm. They go to the park to be active and explore the environment and the village pre- school for more group play. The childminder combines the topics the pre-school use into her planning, such as visiting the fire station. She observes the children from the first day she cares for them to track their progress and keeps a record for each child in a learning journey. Parents tell the childminder all about their children when they start as a basis for planning and take the learning journey's home every day to see what the children have been doing. This enables parents to contribute and continue the topics at home of they choice. The childminder combines with the pre-school to complete an assessment of

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who attend

children's progress while they are two years old to identify early on any areas they may be achieving less well.

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

The childminder is well known in the village so children settle quickly in her care as they often already know each other. She develops caring relationships with the children. The childminder is affectionate and the children show they trust her and feel safe as they snuggle up to her when looking at books. Children behave well when they are engaged in interesting activities. However, not all children's individual needs are met and when the childminder does not provide suitable challenge for them. They entertain themselves with play that does not keep them safe, for example, climbing furniture to chase pets which results in children running around bumping into doors and falling over. The childminder generally walks on outings with children and they learn to cross roads safely by using the 'lollypop lady' to tell them when to go. However, the childminder regularly has very large numbers of children in her care walking to and from the school, so she is not able to

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

ensure they are all kept safe on the journey. The childminder has planned how to keep children safe if there is a fire in her home by evacuating through the garden. She has suitable fire safety equipment fitted in her house, such as a fire blanket and smoke detectors, so they are alerted in time to get out.

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

The childminder has a wide range of resources that are suitable for the children attending. However, although the children can select many for themselves independently, the childminder does not keep them clean. The childminder's home is cluttered and untidy and the space for the children to move freely and safely is restricted. The childminder does not always encourage good hygiene habits to children as part of being healthy. For example, they eat food such as toast when they come in from outside without washing their hands. Animals in the house hover round children playing and eating and some are fed on kitchen work surfaces. This means there is a threat of germs spreading from the animals to the children. The childminder provides fruit for snacks and children bring their own food from home to eat. The childminder talks to children about foods being healthy or not and where it comes from so they can learn to make healthy food choices. The childminder takes

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

children out every day so they can benefit from fresh air and be active. She talks to them about the places they visit, including the pre-school and school, to help prepare them for when they start. The childminder encourages children to be independent in dressing and toileting ready for when they move on to school and can manage their personal care.

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provision

This inspection was brought forward following concerns raised to Ofsted about the childminder having large numbers of children in her care walking home from school. This raised concerns relating to the requirements for suitable people, ratios, safety, risk assessment, outings and equal opportunities. This inspection found that the childminder is caring for more children than her registration allows and there is insufficient space in her home for children's individual needs to be met at these times. The childminder does not keep accurate records of children's attendance to show when they are present. Although the childminder has completed risk assessments for outings, she has failed to recognise the risk to children's safety while caring for such large numbers. The childminder does not know the correct procedure to follow in order to protect children if she has concerns about a child at risk of harm. These are breaches of safeguarding and welfare requirements of

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provision

the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage that place children's well- being at risk. The requirements of the Childcare Register are also not met.

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provision

The inspection also found that the childminder does not plan activities for all children that keep them engaged and interested so they behave well and make good developmental progress. In addition, there was evidence that the childminder cares for animals in a manner that does not include following good health and safety procedures. Therefore, she does not ensure her premises and equipment are suitably safe and clean to protect children from the spread of infection. These are further breaches of requirements and demonstrate the childminder is not safeguarding children's welfare adequately. As a result of the inspection findings, the childminder is required to take further action in order to improve.

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provision

The childminder is experienced and relaxed about her childcare provision. She feels the children respect her and she is happy and good fun. The childminder does not routinely reflect on her practice to identify how well she is doing or how she could improve. She has kept some required training up to date, such as first aid, so she can manage children's minor accidents appropriately. The childminder has not fully addressed the recommendations set at her last inspection so does not demonstrate a strong commitment to improving the care she provides for all children. The childminder does have good partnerships with the children's parents. They regularly stop for a chat and cup of tea and are happy with the care she provides for their children. The childminder works closely with the pre-school children attend, so they co-operate to support children's developmental progress. The childminder has not kept her knowledge of the statutory requirements fully

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provision

up to date in order to meet them. However, she has ensured that all the people living in her home aged over 16 years have been vetted as suitable to be around children.

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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 the premises and equipment used for childcare are safe and suitable (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure the behaviour of children over the age of eight years does not have a negative effect on the younger children (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure the needs of each child are met in relation to their care (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  maintain a record of children's attendance including the hours they attend (compulsory part of the Childcare Register).  ensure the premises and equipment used for childcare are safe and suitable (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure the behaviour of children over the age of eight years does not have a negative effect on the younger children (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure the needs of each child are met in relation to their care (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  maintain a record of children's attendance including the hours they attend

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

(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 114576 Local authority West Sussex Inspection number 952450 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

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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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