Childminder in South Tyneside

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 21/05/2014 06/04/2009

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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

 Children's safety is compromised as the childminder, on occasions, is providing care for more children under the age of eight than the requirements allow.  Insufficient information is gathered from parents about starting points to support and challenge children's learning and development from the start. The childminder does not closely monitor how all children are progressing towards the early learning goals. This means that not all children are supported to make the best possible progress.  The childminder does not carry out regular self-evaluation or reflective practice. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have not fully been met in order to improve outcomes for children.  There are not enough opportunities to enhance children's play experiences and encourage their exploratory skills through natural objects.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder is warm and caring and provides a welcoming environment in which to care for children. This gives children a sense of belonging and supports their emotional well-being.

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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 looked at children's learning journey records and a selection of policies and children's records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector had a tour of the premises and observed children playing.  The inspector checked evidence of the childminder's suitability.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2008 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in Hebburn, Tyne and Wear. The whole ground floor of the house, the first floor bathroom and the rear garden are used for childminding. The childminder attends a library group and visits the local shops, areas of interest and parks on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently nine children on roll, five of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 6am to 6pm, and provides overnight care, except Bank Holidays and family holidays.

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must:

 ensure the number of children cared for under the age of eight does not exceed the maximum at all times as set out in the requirements for the Early Years Foundation Stage

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must:

 improve the quality of the information gathered from parents at registration about children's starting points, to support and challenge children's learning and development from the start

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must:

 improve the systems to monitor children's development to obtain an accurate assessment of each child's skills, abilities and development, and use these to help them make the best possible progress.

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

 implement rigorous and effective systems for self-evaluation in order to raise the quality of provision for all children, for example, by continually evaluating practice and taking prompt action to address areas for development

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

 implement rigorous and effective systems for self-evaluation in order to improve the quality of resources available by increasing the range of freely available natural and real items to enhance children's exploration skills.

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who attend

The provision for children's learning and development does not fully meet the needs of all children who attend. The childminder carries out observations of children as they play and provides a varied range of activities to support their learning. She has started to complete learning journals and tracking sheets for some children, to follow their progress. However, precise assessments of where children are in their development have not been completed for all children. Therefore, the childminder does not have an accurate picture of what all children are able to do across the seven areas of learning, to help her identify their next steps. As a result, activities are not securely based on helping children make as much progress as possible and be as ready as they can before starting school. Detailed verbal feedback means that parents know what their children have enjoyed that day and how they can support their children at home. However, information gathered about child's

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who attend

starting points in their learning and development is not detailed enough to enable the childminder to effectively support and challenge all children's learning and development. Nevertheless, the childminder knows children and can talk in general about what progress they have made in their learning while they have been in her care and the play opportunities she arranges for them.

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who attend

The childminder interacts positively with children, speaking clearly and using actions to support her words. This helps children to develop their communication and language, and they copy her actions and repeat words. She encourages children to count and identify colours during activities. For example, she supports children to identify the colour of and count the skittles as they stand them up. Children become very excited as they knock them down successfully with a variety of balls. They are eager to repeat the activity and the childminder recognises that some children find it difficult to share and take turns. She supports them in this by explaining and encouraging them to take turns.

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who attend

Children have regular opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, they walk to and from school, play in the garden and visit the park, where they can climb and run around. A suitable range of activities to promote children's creativity are readily available, such as glue, paint, role play, colouring and drawing pictures. Children also participate in range of activities held at the local library, such as, music and movement sessions and story time. This helps to develop their literacy, physical and social skills.

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

Overall, children's well-being is compromised because the childminder does not meet all of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. This relates to exceeding the number of children she is allowed to care for at any one time. Despite this, children are settled in the care of the childminder and demonstrate close attachments to her. The childminder is warm and caring. She knows children well and recognises the signs when they are tired or when they just want a cuddle, and responds in a sensitive manner. This shows children they are valued and promotes their emotional well-being. The childminder has developed sound links with parents and other providers to support children's care. Settling-in visits are offered, which means that children gradually become familiar with their new surroundings. A sufficient range of information is collected from parents about children's routines, interests and health needs. This supports the

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

childminder to meet children's individual care needs from the start. Daily discussions and text messages keep parents up to date with children's daily activities and care routines. Children are observed to be happy, content and settled.

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

The childminder encourages children to be as independent as possible to help them acquire the skills to be ready for school. For example, she gives them finger foods so they can feed themselves and gives them the space and time so they can make choices. The childminder promotes children's health appropriately. She is qualified in paediatric first aid and has clear procedures in place should she be asked to administer medication. She provides nutritious meals and snacks, which include fresh meat, fruit and vegetables, and encourages children to try different foods. The childminder provides gentle reminders about not running indoors to develop their awareness of safe practices. Children enjoy being outdoors daily and they walk to nursery and regularly visit the local parks. They enjoy using a varied range of equipment in the childminder's garden, for example, riding the scooters, climbing and sliding. This encourages children to be active in the fresh air

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

while developing their physical skills. Toys and equipment are stored in low-level boxes, which children access freely and with confidence. This results in children easily being able to make decisions about what they want to do. However, natural and real items to enhance children's sensory skills are not readily available.

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provision

Following a recent visit by Ofsted, the childminder received a notice to improve. She was also issued with a warning letter as she had failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event which was likely to affect her suitability to look after children. This was to ensure that any person living or working at the premises and any other person who is likely to have regular contact with children are suitable. The childminder has provided the required information to Ofsted and checks have been completed on all of the adults who regularly come into contact with the children. Risk assessments ensure that children are safe while on the childminding premises. The childminder was also asked to ensure children's behaviour is managed appropriately according to their age and stage of development and that she is a good role model to children. Observation of the childminder's behaviour management demonstrates she uses positive praise and encouragement to support

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provision

children's suitable behaviour. However, the inspection found that the childminder fails to meet safeguarding and welfare requirements to keep children fully safe. Although attendance records are accurately maintained, they clearly show, on occasions, that the total number of children being cared for exceeds the maximum numbers the requirements allow. This is a breach of requirements on the Early Years Register.

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provision

The childminder forms friendly relationships with parents. She exchanges information verbally with them on a daily basis. This keeps them up to date with their child's care. She has also developed suitable links with the local nursery and school. This helps support children as they move on to the next stage of their education. The childminder seeks the views of parents and children about her practice and is willing to make changes if needed. She attends some relevant training. However, overall, the weak reflection on practice has resulted in breaches of requirements.

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provision

The systems to monitor children's development are not thorough enough to ensure that all children are being helped to make the best possible progress. Some improvement has been made to address the recommendation made at the last inspection. For example, the childminder has started to implement systems for recording children's progress, including matching observations to the expectations of the early learning goals, and has also started to identify some learning priorities. However, this is still in its infancy and is not in place for all children. This does not ensure they make most progress possible.

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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 EY371383 Local authority South Tyneside Inspection number 971998 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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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

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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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