Childminder in Rotherham

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22/07/2014 04/12/2008

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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

 The childminder does not fully safeguard children as there is no mobile telephone or camera use procedure in place within the setting.  The childminder does not have a secure knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She fails to ensure sufficient breadth and challenge across all seven areas of learning and does not plan activities that reflect the needs of individual children or monitor educational programmes. As a result, children do not make sufficient progress.  The childminder does not consistently obtain children's starting points, complete observations, assess their progress or identify their next steps in learning. This means it is not possible to establish where children are making progress or falling behind.  The childminder's knowledge of the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years, is not sufficient to ensure an assessment is made. As a result,

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This provision is inadequate

children strength's and where there progress is less than expected are not identified.  The childminder does not keep several of the required written records, including the administration of medicines or record the arrival and departure times of children that attend her setting. This breaches several legal requirements and puts children's safety at risk.

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It has the following strengths

 Children settle well with the childminder and show they are comfortable in her care.

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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 the children's play both indoors and outdoors, including adult-led and child-initiated activities.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's records, evidence of the suitability of adults living in the setting, safeguarding procedures and a variety of other documentation.  The inspector viewed a sample of children's development records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day of inspection.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1992 and is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their two adult children in the Whiston area of Rotherham. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play activities, and the childminder lives within walking distance of local parks, shops and schools. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. There are currently six children on roll, of whom one is in the early years age range. The childminder operates all year round from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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must:

 implement procedures regarding the use of mobile telephones and cameras in the setting, so that children's safety is promoted at all times

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must:

 provide a broad range of challenging activities, matched to children's emerging needs and interests, so that children are best supported to make good progress across all areas of learning

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must:

 develop observation and assessment of children's learning, ensuring it is consistent, robust and accurate and use this information to plan sufficiently challenging learning experiences that are tailored to meet children's individual needs

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must:

 increase knowledge on how to complete the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years, so that children's development is supported and parents are provided with a summary of their child's progress within the prime areas

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must:

 monitor the delivery of educational programmes and children's development, to ensure all aspects of each area of learning are fully covered and children are making the best possible progress

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must:

 maintain accurate records of the hours of children's attendance to show ratios are maintained and children's whereabouts are efficiently recorded to promote their welfare

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must:

 maintain accurate records of the administration of medicines, including written consent from parents to administer, so that children's health is effectively promoted.

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who attend

The quality of teaching is variable. The childminder is not fully aware of the Early Years Foundation Stage learning and development requirements. Her observation and assessment of children's learning does not sufficiently identify their level of achievement, interests and learning style. She does not plan for the next steps in children's learning across the prime and specific areas of learning. Consequently, this has an impact on the progress that children are able to make. The environment is homely and children's behaviour shows they feel comfortable to be there. They initiate their own play as they explore boxes of toys and activities around the room. Plenty of adult attention and other children to play with helps keep children busy. The childminder interacts with children while they play and effectively uses simple open-ended questioning techniques to encourage them to think and engage in conversations. This supports children's

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who attend

communication skills and helps them to develop their listening and attention skills. Children develop an interest in early number skills as they spontaneously count the trains on the track they have built. This supports their readiness for school. However, such learning is limited and happens by chance rather than through planning based on secure knowledge of children's needs and interests.

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who attend

Partnerships with parents are variable. The childminder shares daily texts about children's experiences and talks to parents at pick up times. Unfortunately, she does not have enough information about children's development to share an accurate picture of their progress. In addition, she does not take account of parents' observations on children's development at home to support her planning. The childminder's knowledge of the legal requirement to undertake a progress check for children between the ages of two and three years and her responsibility to share this with parents is not sufficient. This means that parents do not receive an assessment of their child's progress in the prime areas of learning, and are not made aware of any gaps in learning that may require early intervention.

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

The childminder forms close bonds with children in her care. She gets to know them and their parents well and she is a kind and caring practitioner who children respond well to. They enjoy cuddles and seek out the childminder for reassurance when they are unsure about something, which helps to foster their sense of security and belonging in the setting. However, this is a false sense of security because the childminder does not implement her safeguarding policy to ensure children are fully safeguarded. In addition, children are not always safe when they are with the childminder. The childminder holds a current paediatric first-aid certificate. This provides her with the knowledge and skills required to effectively administer first aid, as well as meet the requirements of registration. However, she does not keep robust records when she administers medicine to children because she does not gain permission each time a medicine is to be

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

administered and she does not find out about any previous doses children may have had. The childminder has failed to record the arrival and departure times of children on the days that they attend. This is a breach of a legal requirement and impacts on children's overall safety and well-being.

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

Children increase their understanding about health and hygiene through established daily routines. For example, they learn to wash their hands after playing outdoors and prior to preparing and eating food. Whilst the childminder does not provide meals, she works with the parents to ensure children have healthy food. She provides apples and carrots for snacks and explains to children that the food is tasty and it will make them grow big. The garden is designed to give children the opportunity to have outdoor play during all weathers. This enables children to get fresh air and exercise. There are several resources to promote children's vigorous play including ride on toys, and sand and water play. The childminder also has a collection of small animals including a chicken and rabbits. This supports children's knowledge and understanding of the world and how things grow and change over time. Water is available to drink at all times so that children remain hydrated.

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

During the week, the childminder takes children to other settings where they are able to socialise with other children. Here they have opportunities to develop their social skills and confidence, which goes some way to prepare them for transition to school and the next stage in their life. Children are provided with an adequate range of resources, which are accessible, safe and age-appropriate. This enables them to make choices about their play. Children behave appropriately. This is because the childminder offers praise and consistent boundaries. She encourages children to be safe in their play by reminding them to hold the rail when going down the outdoor steps. The childminder ensures children are prepared emotionally for their move to school. For example, she talks to children about their new schools and takes them on visits.

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provision

Leadership and management is inadequate. The childminder does not fully safeguard children. She can recognise the signs and symptoms of child abuse and neglect and knows what to do if she has concerns about a child. However, she does not implement her safeguarding policy and procedure effectively with regard to the use of mobile telephones and cameras in the setting. She demonstrates a lack of understanding of the requirements and why this is important when considering safeguarding. This is also a breach of the Childcare Register.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a poor understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She fails to adequately monitor children's development through assessment or to plan learning sufficiently across all educational programmes. These breaches in requirements mean children do not get the help they need from the childminder to make suitable progress and be ready for school. The childminder makes some attempt at providing children with reasonable activities that sustain their interest. However, these are too limited in some key areas and this limits the overall learning experience provided for children. The childminder has undertaken training in order to support her in her role. However, it is currently ineffective in ensuring that she delivers an appropriate learning programme that offers breadth and challenge across all seven areas of learning that meets the needs of individual children.

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provision

The childminder uses limited self-evaluation to monitor her practice and the setting as a whole, and is not effective in identifying and prioritising areas for improvement. This means her capacity for continuous improvement is not good. Relationships with parents are generally positive, and there is an exchange of information about activities children have enjoyed and their care routines. However, the childminder does little to involve parents in their children's learning and does not seek to find out as much as possible about children's achievements at home or other settings that children attend, to use this information to plan accordingly. The childminder recognises the importance of working closely with other providers who are involved in children's care, to ensure continuity of care and learning.

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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:

 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)  keep a record of any medicine administered to any child who is cared for on the premises, including the date and circumstances and who administered it, including medicine which the child is permitted to self-administer, together with a record of a parent/guardian/carers' consent (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  implement procedures regarding the use of mobile phones and cameras in the setting, so that children's safety is promoted at all times (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure 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)  keep a record of any medicine administered to any child who is cared for on the premises, including the date and circumstances and who administered it, including

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To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

medicine which the child is permitted to self-administer, together with a record of a parent/guardian/carers' consent (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure children receiving childcare are kept safe from harm (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 303108 Local authority Rotherham Inspection number 867434 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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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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