Clare Frances Shaw

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 02/07/2014 08/11/2011

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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

 Risk assessments of school runs are not sufficiently robust and arrangements for supervising children during these times are not effective, which puts children at risk.  The childminder sometimes cares for more children than she is legally allowed to within the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.  The childminder does not keep all required records up to date and some are not in place before she starts caring for children. This impacts on children's safety and well- being.  The childminder does not have sufficient knowledge of some aspects of the learning and development requirements, and has not completed all required assessments of children's progress.  Systems for self-evaluation and monitoring the quality of the provision are not robust enough.

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It has the following strengths

 Children have positive relationships with the childminder and each other.  Children take part in a variety of activities and experiences that they enjoy.

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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 taking part in activities in her home and outside.  The inspector had discussions with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a sample of documentation including children's files, contracts, risk assessments and attendance registers.  The inspector looked around the home and viewed the areas used for childminding.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2006. She lives with her husband, one school-aged child and one child in the early years age range. The family lives in a three-bedroom house in Northfleet, in Gravesend, Kent. All of the house is used for childminding. A garden is available for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children in the early years age range on roll. The childminder also cares for two children aged over eight years.

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must:

 ensure that children are supervised effectively at all times during school runs and outings, and that appropriate steps are taken to identify and minimise, or manage, any potential risks or hazards

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must:

 make sure that ratios are adhered to regarding the maximum number of children that may be cared for at any one time

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must:

 ensure the full name, date of birth, name and address of every parent/carer who is known to the provider, and emergency contact details are recorded for each child cared for

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must:

 keep a daily record of the names of the children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance

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must:

 review each child's progress when they are aged between two and three years and provide parents with a written summary of their child's development in the prime areas of learning.

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

 improve systems for monitoring and self-evaluation, to foster a culture of continuous improvement to promote the interests of children, and to ensure that areas for improvement are quickly identified and addressed.

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who attend

The childminder shows an understanding of how children learn through play. She plans and provides a variety of activities for children that they enjoy. She gathers some information about their starting points and needs by talking to parents before children start, which helps children settle in. She makes regular observations of children's achievements and uses these to identify the next steps for their learning. This enables her to track children's progress and identify any areas where they may need additional support. However, she is not sufficiently familiar with the requirement to complete a progress check for children aged two years and to share this with parents. As a result, she has not assessed children's development at this age as legally required. Nonetheless, her ongoing use of observational assessment means that she promotes children's learning needs well overall.

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who attend

The childminder helps children learn a range of skills that prepare them appropriately for the next stage of learning and for school. She encourages children to do things for themselves and praises them when they manage to put on their own shoes to go outside. She talks to children as they play and encourages conversations about what they are doing. This effectively promotes children's communication and language skills. The childminder supports children's understanding of number when she counts with them and they trace around numerals, finding the one that represents their age. This helps to promote children's early mathematical development. She plans interesting activities that help develop children's understanding of the world, such as a project to find out about traffic lights. Children enjoy dressing up and role play and the childminder provides plenty of opportunities for children to take part in these activities. She encourages their

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who attend

enjoyment of books by sharing stories, and plans art and craft, and music sessions to stimulate children's imaginations.

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who attend

The childminder talks to parents every day to give feedback and uses a contact book that includes information about activities and achievements. This helps involve parents in their child's learning.

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

Children's well-being is not promoted effectively as the childminder does not always supervise them sufficiently on school runs and has not completed appropriate risk assessments of these. As a result, a child was able to leave a building unsupervised which compromised their safety. However, the childminder completes suitable risk assessments of her home and makes sure that precautions are in place so that children can move around the play areas safely. The home is clean, welcoming and well maintained.

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

The childminder has positive relationships with children and they are happy and settled in her care. They grow in confidence and independence as they choose toys for themselves from the good variety available. The childminder is calm and consistent in her approach and, as a result, children play happily together and behave well. Children learn about risks and how to keep themselves safe when the childminder talks to them about road safety. They learn about which colour traffic light means stop and which means it is safe to cross. They take part in fire drills so that everyone knows what to do in an emergency.

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

The childminder promotes children's good health appropriately. Children learn to manage their own personal needs when they wash their hands before they eat. The childminder teaches them that they need to wear a hat in hot weather to protect them from the sun. The childminder makes sure she stores packed lunches that children bring from home appropriately and encourages children to eat their food. She provides water for the children to drink and offers extra drinks in hot weather. Children enjoy playing outside in the garden as part of a healthy lifestyle. They have fun practising their physical skills climbing up the playhouse and having a turn on the big slide.

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provision

This inspection took place following concerns about the number of children that the childminder cares for, the supervision and safety of the children on school runs, arrangements for food and drink, communication with parents and the activities the childminder provides. The inspection found that children take part in an appropriate variety of activities and are suitably occupied during their time with the childminder. There are suitable arrangements in place for meals and drinks, and for keeping parents informed about their child's care. However, on the day of the inspection the childminder was caring for more children than her registration allows. This is a breach of a legal requirement. It was found that children have appropriate restraints fitted while travelling in the childminder's car. However, an incident had occurred where a child was able to leave a building unsupervised during a school run. The childminder did not notify Ofsted of this

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provision

incident. It is a requirement to do so. She has not completed risk assessments of school runs or reviewed her practice to reduce the risk of this happening again. This is also a breach of a legal requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Consequently, children's welfare is not effectively safeguarded.

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provision

The childminder has completed a child protection course and is familiar with the steps to take if she has concerns about a child. She keeps most required records for childminding but she has not ensured that she has a record of all necessary details about children, or that appropriate consent forms are in place from parents before children start. This means she may not have emergency contact details or be aware of parents' wishes in an emergency. The attendance register is also not always accurate and up to date. This means it is not always clear which children the childminder looks after and their hours of attendance. These are further breaches of legal requirements that compromise children's well-being and mean that the associated requirements of the Childcare Register are not met.

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provision

The childminder shows an understanding of most aspects of the learning and development requirements, although she is not sufficiently aware of requirements in relation to assessments. She keeps useful learning journey records for children that are shared with parents and makes sure all children take part in appropriate activities and experiences. The childminder is keen to develop and improve her practice, and is currently completing a relevant qualification. However, she has not reflected on her practice in the light of recent incidents and does not show sufficient knowledge of some requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Systems for self-evaluation and continuous improvement are, therefore, not sufficiently robust.

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provision

The childminder provides parents with a range of information including policies and procedures. She works appropriately with staff at other early years settings that children attend, such as nurseries, making sure that she is familiar with what children are learning there. This helps children experience a consistent approach to their learning and care.

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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 children receiving childcare are kept safe from harm (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  keep a record of the name, home address and date of birth of each child who is looked after on the premises (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  maintain a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that children receiving childcare are kept safe from harm (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  keep a record of the name, home address and date of birth of each child who is looked after on the premises (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  maintain a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (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 EY337292 Local authority Kent Inspection number 980015 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 3

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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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