Childminder in Devon

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30/04/2014 25/05/2011

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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 does not maintain required adult-to-child ratios. This is a breach of a legal requirement that has a negative effect on children's safety and the quality of care and learning that children receive.  The childminder leaves children in the sole care of assistants who do not hold a first-aid certificate, as required. She has failed to notify Ofsted of changes to the adults caring for children.  Self-evaluation is ineffective because the childminder does not identify the significant weaknesses in the provision. This has led to non-compliance of requirements and insufficient improvement in practice.  The planning and organisation of activities does not always ensure consistently effective challenge or provide a variety of independent choices for children.

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It has the following strengths

 Children enjoy being together and make secure progress in their personal, social and emotional development. They settle well and like being at the childminder's house.  Parents provide positive feedback and are happy with the provision.

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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 conducted an unannounced inspection and had discussions with the childminder, assistants and parents.  The inspector observed children in their indoor and outdoor play activities.  The inspector looked at a sample of children's records of development.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector scrutinised records and documentation, including suitability checks and records of attendance.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 1994. She lives in a village near Tavistock with her husband and two adult children. The house is within walking distance of village facilities, including shops, a park and a pre-school. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, with access to the first floor for overnight care and the main bedroom, which is used for children who need a sleep during the day. There is a fully enclosed patio area and separate fenced garden area for outside play. The family has a dog and a bird. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 54 children on roll, 27 are in the early years age range. The childminder provides overnight care. She employs assistants and takes children to and from Bere Alston Primary School. The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification at level 3. The childminder receives funding to provide free early

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Information about the setting

education places to children aged three and four years.

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enforcement action:

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

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enforcement action:

ensure that ratio requirements are met at all times to keep children safe and adequately supervised, and to make sure that children receive appropriate care to meet their individual needs

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enforcement action:

ensure that at least one person who has a current paediatric first-aid certificate is present at all times and accompanies children on outings

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enforcement action:

review the risk assessment for outings, and develop robust self-evaluation procedures to improve and monitor safety, supervision of children and compliance with the regulatory requirements

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enforcement action:

ensure that people whose suitability has not been checked by Ofsted do not have unsupervised contact with children being cared for

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must:

 review the planning and organisation of activities to ensure that each child benefits from consistent challenges and enjoyable experiences that promote independent play and offer more choice.

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who attend

The childminder does not sufficiently consider the impact that caring for too many children has on their care and learning. Toys and equipment are available to suit the ages of children attending, although activities do not always provide consistent challenges for children. For example, a number of children aged two, three and four years spend a considerable time at the table doing jigsaw puzzles with the childminder. Most focus and concentrate well. However, an alternative activity is not always promptly offered to maintain younger children's interest. This means that, on occasion, some children are not actively engaged. The childminder observes children in their activities and assesses each area of their development. She is aware of what children can do and like to do, with planning for individual next steps for children's learning under development. The learning needs of the youngest children are not successfully planned for. The adults involve them

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who attend

in activities but the activities are more suited to older children and are not readily adapted to make sure that all children benefit from them. Suitable procedures are in place to complete the required progress check when children reach the age of two years.

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who attend

The childminder organises large group activities to help children develop listening and communication skills. For example, children eagerly gather as a group, with the childminder, to talk about days of the week and learn about seasons as they consider the weather. The childminder carries out letter, sound and number recognition activities with children every day to reinforce children's learning. When the children have finished the activity at the table, an adult hides the cards for children to find. This is fun for children as they busily hunt around and then say which letter or number they have found. Children enjoy imaginative play and are keen to dress-up. They develop skills as they learn to put on and take off outfits, which helps to prepare them for school. A cosy corner under the stairs provides a den where children pretend to be in a house. Children line toy cars up that they push up and down the ramp on the garage. However, due to the number of

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who attend

children and the space available, the choice of resources is sometimes limited. Therefore, on occasion children have too little opportunity to instigate independent play.

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who attend

Children can easily choose from the books available and enjoy looking at the pictures. They can take books home, which promotes shared learning with their parents. The childminder and assistants invite parents to help and join in with specific activities. For example, they organised a day focused on the work of the police, at the house, which children and their families enjoyed. A trip to the fire station enabled children to learn with interest about the fire service. However, the childminder does not use further ways to enhance children's understanding of safety, such as carrying out regular fire drills. The childminder and assistants have discussions with other providers when children attend different settings. This helps to promote continuity of care for children and develops partnerships.

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

The childminder does not effectively organise childcare arrangements or adequately deploy staff to make sure that requirements are met. For example, not all assistants with sole charge of children have a current first-aid certificate. On the way to school, the childminder fastens the youngest children securely in pushchairs and asks others to hold the handles, or hold hands. School-aged children walk as a group in sight of the childminder and know that they must stay together. The childminder teaches children to stop and wait at the side of the road to make sure it is safe to cross. However, there are not always two adults present and the childminder has more children than she is allowed to care for. The childminder has not sufficiently considered possible safety risks to children when she or her assistants are caring for too many children, particularly when they are doing so alone. This compromises children's safety and welfare.

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

Children arrive happily and show that they understand the routines. They settle well and show they feel secure with the childminder and her assistants. Babies smile and babble in recognition of familiar faces and voices. They enjoy cuddles and are often held by an adult so they can watch children play. The childminder finds out about children's individual needs and requirements before they start. This enables her to plan appropriate routines so children are content and comfortable. Daily diaries act as a useful record of babies' nappy changes, feeding and sleep times. They also provide information about children's activities and what they have enjoyed doing.

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

Children learn appropriate hygiene routines and follow instructions well. For example, they understand when it is time to tidy up and prepare for snack time. The childminder and her assistants are aware of children's dietary requirements. They promote learning at snack and mealtimes by teaching children to recognise names on individual placemats. Children listen to the adults and respond to questions, such as to talk about what they are having for lunch. The routines and activities help children to behave well, develop confidence and independence. Children are sociable and form friendships, so they play cooperatively together. They enjoy frequent opportunities to play on the patio and benefit from fresh air. Children experience a reasonable variety of outdoor activities. For example, they play in the sand tray and use the climbing frame, although space is limited for them to run around and practise large motor skills.

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provision

The inspection took place following a concern about the numbers of children the childminder cares for and staffing arrangements. Evidence gathered at inspection shows that the childminder fails to comply with all the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, and of the Childcare Register. The childminder lacks knowledge and understanding of the ratio requirements, which results in her caring for too many children. For example, during the morning of the inspection, the childminder and two assistants were found to be caring for 12 early years children. Children started arriving at 7.30am and, at the appropriate time, walked to school with the childminder, who met an assistant on the way. A second assistant met them at school where they dropped off and then collected other children. This meant that the childminder initially had sole charge of 14 children, which compromised levels of safety and supervision for children. A number of

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provision

children were over the age of eight years, and this meant that the childminder was not meeting ratio requirements for both the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register. The childminder failed to consider the potential risks associated with such an arrangement. Although the childminder employs assistants who have completed Disclosure and Barring Service checks in their roles with other employers, she does not always notify Ofsted of persons that she is employing. It is a legal requirement to do so. On this occasion, Ofsted does not intend to take further action.

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provision

The childminder and her assistants demonstrate a suitable understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. They are aware of signs that may cause concern and know who to contact to help protect children from harm. General risk assessments and daily checks of the home contribute, in part, towards safety for children. For example, the garden is enclosed and gates are secured to prevent children leaving unsupervised. Safety gates are in place on the stairs to restrict children's access to other levels of the home and to minimise the potential hazard of the stairs. The childminder evaluates some aspects of her practice to make improvements for children. For example, she observed that not all children could reach the taps, so she provided a step and an accessible water barrel. This helped to support children's independence skills and improve hygiene procedures. The childminder has partially addressed one of the previous inspection

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provision

recommendations, making some improvements in her observation and assessment procedures. However, self-evaluation remains ineffective because of the significant weaknesses in compliance. The childminder has good relationships with parents and they gave positive feedback at inspection. Parents say that they are very happy with the provision of care and that their children enjoy being with the childminder. They have regular discussions with the childminder and her assistants and value the opportunities to take part in activities.

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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 for every six children for whom the childminding is provided, at least one person providing care must have attained the age of 18 (compulsory part of the childcare register)  ensure that at least two suitable persons are present on the premises at all times (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that at least one person who is caring for children has an appropriate first- aid qualification (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that at least two suitable persons are present on the premises at all times (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that at least one person who is caring for children has an appropriate first- aid qualification (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 104388 Local authority Devon Inspection number 966533 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 18 Number of children on roll 54

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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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