Childminder in Plymouth

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18/06/2014 23/04/2012

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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 has not addressed the recommendations from her last inspection to improve safety and outcomes for children.  The childminder has not practised the fire drill with the children so they gain an understanding of what to do in an emergency and the smoke detector is not in working order.  The childminder has still to develop how she monitors the progress children are making successfully to provide sufficient challenge and promote the next steps in their learning.  The childminder does not evaluate her practice sufficiently to identify areas for her own development to help ensure continuous improvement.  There are few resources that reflect diversity to help children to learn about differences and the wider world as they play.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder has a good rapport with the children who are clearly very fond of her.  The childminder is consistent with how she deals with any unwanted behaviour. Consequently, children behave well.

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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 children indoors and outside.  The inspector talked with the childminder about her practice.  The inspector completed a safety check of the home.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled relevant documentation including policies and the children's development records.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and two children in Plymouth, Devon. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently caring for four children in the early years age group. Children use all the childminder's home and there is a garden for outdoor play activities. The family has four chickens in the garden. The childminder offers care on each weekday from 8am until 6pm all year round.

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must:

 use the observations on children to plan challenging activities, covering all areas of learning to promote the next steps in their development and share this information with parents

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must:

 develop a thorough understanding of child protection procedures, including how to make a referral to the relevant statutory agencies

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must:

 ensure that fire detection and control equipment, such as smoke detectors, are in working order.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 increase resources for children's play that reflect diversity

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 improve children's understanding of safety and how to leave the house quickly and safely in an emergency

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 develop self-evaluation to reflect on strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for children.

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who attend

The childminder is still developing her knowledge and understanding of how to help children to learn. She does not assess children's progress using the observations she makes or use these to help her plan activities to build on what children know and can do. She does not have a secure understanding of how to assess children's development between the ages of two and three years as required. Consequently, she is unable to identify any gaps in their learning or any additional support they may need.

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who attend

The childminder provides some activities for the children and joins in their play by invitation, for example, during role play when children are pretending to be hairdressers telling the childminder what style they are going to put her hair in. The children are clearly very fond of the childminder and listen well to instructions. However, the childminder does not provide sufficient challenge for more able children, and lacks sufficient understanding about adapting activities to extend their learning. The childminder takes the children to local groups daily. This gives them the opportunity to socialise with other children and to engage in different planned activities and play with other resources. This also helps children to learn to share and take turns when the childminder is caring for one child only. However, because the childminder does not plan effectively for individual children's progress, much of their learning is coincidental.

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who attend

The childminder encourages some learning through exploration. For example, the children enjoy feeding the family's chickens in the garden. They like touching them commenting on the colours of their feathers and are delighted when they find an egg for the childminder. The childminder celebrates festivals throughout the year with the children, which helps children to learn about the wider world and the differences between family customs while they make celebration cards for family members. However, children have few resources that positively reflect diversity to help them to learn as they play.

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who attend

The childminder provides regular outings, and through these children learn about their local community and visit places of interest such as the aquarium. They enjoy visits to the moors and the beach. Children confidently choose their own play and say when they want to go outside to play. They confidently count and name colours because the childminder responds positively giving encouragement. However, much of the learning that takes place is initiated by the children. The childminder does not consider how she can plan related activities to develop their interests and broaden their knowledge. Nonetheless, children enjoy looking for small creatures and the childminder makes the walk to school for the children enjoyable because they go on a snail hunt. This helps maintain interest for children who are less keen on walking.

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

The childminder has undertaken risk assessments for her home, the garden and the safe use of her car. However, she has not completed a fire drill with the children to help them to learn the procedure to follow in the event of an emergency. The childminder has a fire blanket and an extinguisher in the kitchen. However, the smoke detector is not in working order. The childminder has a limited understanding of child protection procedures to protect children's safely and welfare. These weaknesses compromise children's safety. The childminder helps children to learn to be confident in their own self-care. Children listen well to instructions from the childminder and behave well. They confidently say they have to wash their hands after feeding and touching the chickens, and know which their towel is. The childminder keeps a written record of the children's daily routines for parents including when nappies have been changed and sun cream used. She respects parents'

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

wishes and uses items that parents supply and will supplement these if they run out. The childminder provides meals and fruit for snacks and tells parents what their child has eaten. There are some positive aspects to the childminder's safeguarding procedures. Accidents are recorded and shared with parents, and the childminder obtains parents' consent to administer any medication. She holds a valid first-aid certificate. These procedures help maintain children's good health suitably.

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

Children have fresh air each day by playing in the garden and through visits to the park to promote their physical development. The children walk to school, so have more exercise. The childminder uses these opportunities to teach children about being safe, to cross the roads carefully and that they must always be in her sight. The childminder has initial discussions with parents so that she gains an understanding of children's individual routines so she can follow these to help children feel secure.

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provision

The childminder does not meet some of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. This means that the associated requirements of the Childcare Register are not met. The childminder has completed some further training in the last year to help her to increase her knowledge. However, she is not fully meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure children are safeguarded. Although the childminder has attended safeguarding training, she is unsure of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. This compromises children's safety. Nonetheless, the childminder maintains a safe environment for children through regular risk assessment. She supervises children appropriately, ensuring they are in her sight and hearing at all times including when they are waiting in the car.

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provision

The childminder has initial discussions with new parents to agree arrangements and contracts are completed. She has previously received very positive feedback from parents. The childminder takes children to pre-school and has daily discussions with staff there to build a shared approach to children's care. Parents are able to see their children's learning journals at any time. However, the childminder does not provide opportunities for parents to contribute to them and share information about their child's learning at home. The childminder has recently started to acknowledge some of the children's achievements by recording 'wow' moments and awarding certificates. This helps to build children's self- esteem.

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provision

The childminder has policies and procedures to share with parents so they are clear about her practice. She understands the need to record any complaints from parents. The childminder has not implemented an effective system of self-evaluation to reflect on her practice to identify areas for her own improvement and to take action on the recommendations from her last inspection. This demonstrates a weak capacity to make continuous improvement. Nonetheless, the childminder has welcomed the support from the local authority advisor and is keen to take advice and support to improve her provision and outcomes for 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 the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable for that childcare (compulsory part of the Childcare Register).  ensure the premises and equipment used for the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable for that childcare (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 EY370757 Local authority Plymouth Inspection number 975440 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 4

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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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