Childminder in Gloucestershire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12/03/2014 17/03/2010

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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

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This provision is inadequate

 The childminder is not clear about the required adult to child ratios. As a result she is caring for too many children in the early years age range, which is a breach of requirements.  Children are not supervised adequately, which means they tend to fight when the childminder leaves the room and at times the youngest child is left asleep in a room which the family cats access.  Children's behaviour is not managed effectively and as a result, they are not being taught about the consequences of their actions. In addition, children indicate they are not spoken to in a positive manner by the childminder which affects their well-being.  Children are not provided with a suitable range of resources for their age; this means that children are not provided with challenging, interesting and enjoyable experiences that help them progress adequately in all areas of learning and development.  The childminder has not completed an effective evaluation of her practice. This means

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This provision is inadequate

she has not identified her failure to meet the requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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It has the following strengths

 Children demonstrate they feel safe in the childminder's home.  The childminder helps children to learn about suitable personal hygiene procedures.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the lounge and kitchen.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records.  The inspector had discussions with the childminder and children.  The inspector took into account the views of parents from letters.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's records, safeguarding procedures, risk assessments, policies and procedures.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2009 on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder currently cares for eight children, of these; seven are in the early years age range. The childminder lives with her adult son and seven-year-old daughter in the Hester's Way area of Cheltenham, close to schools, shops and play parks. The whole of the house is available for childminding, although the main areas used are the sitting room, kitchen/dining area and upstairs toilet facilities. Upstairs bedrooms are available for sleeping. There is an enclosed rear garden with grass and patio areas for outdoor play. The family has two dogs, one guinea pig, two rabbits and two cats.

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must:

 ensure adult to child ratios for childminders are met at all times in line with requirements, so that all the individual needs of children can be met effectively

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must:

 supervise children adequately at all times so their behaviour can be monitored effectively

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must:

 implement the behaviour management policy consistently, so that children's well- being is not adversely affected

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must:

 consider the individual needs, interests and stage of development for each child and provide a range of resources that are easily accessible and suitable for the age of the children attending; use this information to identify starting points, next steps and plan a challenging and enjoyable experience for each child in all the areas of learning and development

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must:

 develop robust self-evaluation procedures that clearly identify strengths and weaknesses in order to drive continual improvement

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who attend

The childminder has a limited understanding of the learning and development requirements. As a result, she is not able to clearly identify children's next steps and help them progress in their learning. The childminder completes observations on the children, but she does not routinely assess where children are in their learning and use this information to plan for their next steps and interests. Consequently, children do not take part in challenging, interesting activities to help them build on what they already know.

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who attend

Resources are not easily accessible and children only have access to a limited amount, such as a few building bricks, two magnetic boards and soft toys. This means that children tend to fight over resources and are not challenged in their thinking. For example, young children sit on the settee using the magnetic boards with little interaction with the childminder. Other older children try and build towers with the blocks. However, when the childminder does interact with them, she misses opportunities to develop their language and counting skills, as they only talk about how they can count to three. Older children wander around trying to find things to do, and repeat constantly that they are 'good children'. The childminder replies telling them they are. Children ask for the television on during the day, which indicates they are bored.

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who attend

The childminder is not able to recognise that some children are not developing well with their language skills. She does not plan activities to help them progress in their language development and interactions between the childminder and children are limited. The childminder only offers praise when children ask her if they are 'good children'. The childminder regularly reminds children to share, but as the resources are limited this means that children tend to take toys off each other so they can play with them. Children are able to access a limited range of books, but these tend to be books that are too young for them and do not hold their interest for long. Children look at these alone, as the childminder does not read to the children, which means they are not being encouraged to enjoy books.

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who attend

Children's personal, social and emotional development is not being promoted effectively. Although children are reminded to share as they try and take toys off each other, the childminder does not explain to the children why they should share and how they should be kind to each other. She fails to intervene appropriately when minor squabbles occur. As a result, children are not being taught effectively about what is right and wrong. The childminder does not understand about the need to use positive language when dealing with the children, so some children appear to need lot of reassurance from her as they talk to her. When the childminder leaves children alone in the lounge, they tend to continue to fight over resources and as this is unseen by the childminder she is unable to deal with their behaviour effectively. This shows children are not developing the skills, attitudes and dispositions they need to prepare them for their next stages of learning,

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

The childminder is not meeting the individual needs of the children in her care. She cares for too many children and this limits her ability to ensure she divides her attention equally between the children. Although, at times she shows affection towards the children when they ask for a kiss or cuddle, she has limited interactions with them as they play. The youngest children are not able to move freely around the room, due to the number of boxes and other items around the home. Young children are not able to be put on the floor to allow them to develop their physical skills, such as learning to roll over or start to crawl, because the childminder tends to carry the youngest children around or leave them in a small chair.

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

The childminder does not supervise children effectively, which means that when she leaves the room to take another child to the toilet upstairs or she goes into the kitchen, the children tend to fight over the limited resources. The childminder does not see this happen, which means that children are not being taught the consequences of their actions. This does not promote their well-being adequately.

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

The children are beginning to learn about healthy lifestyles because the childminder washes their hands with a flannel before they eat. However, she does not explain to them why she is doing this and does not allow the older children to do this for themselves. This means that children's independence is not being fully developed. The childminder provides snacks for children, such as fruit and they have regular access to drinks as they play.

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provision

The inspection took place in relation to concerns raised to Ofsted about the childminder's suitability, her behaviour management strategies, the supervision of children and information she gathers from parents about children. The inspection found that the childminder does not have a suitable understanding of her role and responsibilities to meet requirements. She was found to be minding too many children and was therefore not able to meet their individual needs. This is a breach of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Evidence gathered at the inspection found that the childminder does have written parental permissions and obtains information about who has parental responsibility for the child. She demonstrates a suitable understanding about what this means and who is able to collect the child. The inspection also found that the childminder has suitable procedures

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provision

for supervising children on outings as she ensures children have reins or hold on to the pushchair when out walking. However, she does not supervise children effectively during the day, which means that at times young children are left alone in one room with each other and they tend to fight unseen by the childminder. The childminder also leaves young children alone when sleeping in a room the family cats access. This poses a risk to the children's safety. The childminder does not implement her behaviour policy effectively and children indicate that she tells them off in an inappropriate manner. This has the effect of children regularly asking for reassurance from her. These weaknesses demonstrate the childminder has a poor understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. As a result of the inspection findings, the childminder is required to take further action to meet the statutory requirements.

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provision

The childminder does not fully understand her responsibility in meeting the learning and development requirements. Although she carries out observations of the children, these are not focused on children's interests. Also, the childminder does not use next steps to help her plan activities that will help children progress in all areas of learning. She has a very cluttered room where children can only access a few resources, which are not suitable for their age and do not challenge them in their thinking or learning. This hinders children's learning and their ability to make good progress.

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provision

The childminder shares information with parents through daily diaries. Parents are able to see their child's learning journal and photographs of what they have been doing when at other groups. The parents have access to the childminder's written policies and procedures to give them awareness of her practice. The childminder has asked parents to complete a questionnaire about the care she provides. Although these were dated some time ago, each had positive comments from parents about how happy their child is. Recent comments seen from a parents' letter were positive and indicated they were happy with the childminder.

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provision

The childminder has not completed a detailed evaluation of her practice, as a result she has failed to identify she is not meeting the needs of the children attending or that she is not meeting the requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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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 EY400707 Local authority Gloucestershire Inspection number 953762 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 8

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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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