Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 07/05/2014 21/06/2011

p.1

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

p.1

This provision is inadequate

 The childminder has not ensured that adults living at the childminding premises have appropriate suitability checks. Additionally, children are not fully protected from unvetted visitors to the home. As a result, children's safety is not assured and the legal requirements are not met.  The childminder's required records, including children's and parents' information, are not available. This affects the safe and efficient management of the childminding provision and children's safety and well-being.  Risk assessments do not take into account all aspects of safety, which means children do not play in a safe and healthy environment.  The childminder does not have a secure understanding of the progress check for children between the ages of two and three years. This makes it difficult to monitor their development, share their progress with parents and ensure there are no gaps in their learning.  The childminder does not use observations and assessments of children well enough to

p.1

This provision is inadequate

ensure they make good progress towards the early learning goals.

p.1

It has the following strengths

 Children enjoy interactive story times with the childminder, which develops their interest in books and literacy.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the childminder at suitable times during the inspection.  The inspector observed the children and their interactions with the childminder.  The inspector looked at areas of the house used for childminding.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2010 and lives with her family, which includes two children aged five and 10 years. She currently conducts her childminding business from the home of a family member. She is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children in the early years age group on roll. The childminder supports children who are learning English as an additional language. Minded children use the ground floor of the home, with a first floor bedroom for sleeping. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder lives within walking distance of activity groups, parks, shops and a primary school and offers her childminding service all year round. She is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years. There are three pet cats living on the childminding premises.

p.3

must:

 provide information to Ofsted about any person aged 16 years or older living or working on the childminding premises so that Ofsted can carry out appropriate suitability checks

p.3

must:

 ensure all information and records required for the efficient management of the setting are easily accessible and available to promote the safety of children and meet their individual needs

p.3

must:

 assess the risks to children and take steps to ensure they play in a safe environment and have no access to hazards, such as cat litter and cat food

p.3

must:

 ensure visitors to the childminding premises have no opportunity for unsupervised access to minded children

p.3

must:

 provide parents and/or carers with a short written summary of children's development in the prime areas, when they are aged between two and three years of age, to identify strengths and any areas of delay

p.3

must:

 develop further use of observation and assessment to plan challenging and enjoyable activities that support children to make the best progress possible.

p.3

who attend

The childminder has a suitable understanding of most aspects of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, she provides a reasonable range of activities that keep children occupied. Resources are appropriately deployed so that children have some opportunities to create their own play experiences. For example, they choose books to look at or build models with bricks. Children's learning is hindered, however, because the childminder does not effectively use what she knows about their development to plan for their learning. She tends to offer activities she thinks children will enjoy, but does not plan these based on accurate assessments of children's next steps. This means activities lack challenge and limit children's achievements so they are not fully prepared for the next stage in their learning. The childminder is unsure which areas of learning should be assessed for the progress check for children between the ages

p.4

who attend

of two and three years. This inhibits her ability to accurately assess and monitor children's progress, engage parents in their children's development and ensure there are no gaps in their learning. Additionally, she has not carried out the check in a timely way to meet the needs of children and parents. Although her teaching skills are adequate, she does not keep children safe and does not monitor children's progress effectively.

p.4

who attend

The childminder responds to children's requests, for example, she reads stories they have chosen. As she reads she encourages the children to interact with the story, pointing out characters and inviting the children to name them. This helps to develop their interest in early literacy. She talks to the children as they play and encourages friendly conversation, supporting their communication skills. Children's language is developing appropriately because she asks them questions and repeats words accurately. Sometimes she extends their learning well, for example, she talks to the children about size, shape and colour as they build with bricks. Children take walks around their local community, where they experience wildlife and nature. In the garden they play with sand and water, using containers to pour, fill and empty and develop their physical control. The childminder plans some arts and crafts activities, such as painting or making cards for Mother's Day,

p.4

who attend

which enable children to be creative and use tools, such as scissors. The childminder asks parents of children who are learning English as an additional language about key words and phrases. She works with the children to help them learn English words. This helps her to settle the children into her setting and make them feel at home. She and the children explore diversity through activities, such as trying out foods from other countries, looking at books or watching appropriate television programmes.

p.4

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

The childminder teaches children to keep themselves safe. For example, on outings she talks to them about safe places to cross roads. She has not practised the fire drill with the children since relocating her childminding business, but has thought about how they might safely evacuate in an emergency. Children learn appropriate hygiene routines through regular hand washing and discussions about healthy lifestyles. The childminder has suitable strategies to support children's understanding of good behaviour. She talks to them about the importance of sharing and helps them to express their feelings. She promotes a calm environment and has clear rules about right and wrong. This means children know what the expectations are. As a result, their behaviour is mostly good and they are developing their understanding of sharing.

p.4

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

Children benefit from healthy foods, mostly provided by the childminder. She talks to parents about allergies and food preferences, which helps to ensure children eat safe and suitable food. The childminder regularly takes children to local groups, where they benefit from a range of interesting activities, such as arts and crafts or group story times. These social occasions help children to prepare for the wider social experiences of pre-school and school. The garden has ample space for children to run about and enjoy fresh air and exercise. Children's physical development is promoted appropriately because the childminder provides a range of outdoor equipment, including balls, for kicking and throwing.

p.5

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

Children play with a suitable selection of toys, books and equipment and help themselves to additional toys stored in another room. This promotes their independence and means they are suitably occupied. They have a good relationship with the childminder and play confidently in her care. They go to her for cuddles and happily sit alongside her to look at books. However, although they feel safe with the childminder, their safety is not assured because there are risks in the home and not all adults have had their suitability checked. The childminder works with parents adequately to settle their children into her childminding setting. She talks to parents about children's individual needs prior to them joining the setting, enabling her to adequately meet those needs. Parents are offered flexible visits and the childminder uses text messages or email to reassure them of their children's well-being. As a result, children's transitions from home into the childminder's

p.5

provision

Leadership and management are ineffective because the childminder has not ensured she is meeting all of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has recently moved her childminding setting to another house, which is owned by a family member. Although she informed Ofsted of this move, she has not been proactive in notifying Ofsted of another adult living at the childminding setting, so that Ofsted can carry out appropriate suitability checks. This is a breach of the Early Years Register and the Childcare Register. A visitor,is staying at the childminding setting. This person has a key to the house and lets themselves in and out. This means the childminder cannot be completely sure of the visitor's whereabouts, making supervision more difficult, particularly when children are out of sight, for example, sleeping in the upstairs bedroom. However, because the childminder has moved her childminding setting out of the family home,

p.5

provision

minded children are not at risk from the unvetted adults living there.

p.5

provision

Children's safety is not sufficiently promoted because the childminder does not ensure that information relating to children's welfare and development is available. She keeps children's records of attendance and has parents' contact numbers on her mobile telephone, but has no other information. She is unable to say who other emergency contacts are and does not know essential details, such as which doctor's surgeries the children attend. This limits her ability to act in children's interests in the event of an incident or emergency. The childminder does some risk assessments of the childminding setting to make sure children are safe. For example, the back garden is secure. However, other hazards remain, such as cat litter trays and cat food within reach of minded children. Therefore children's safety is not fully assured. The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of safeguarding issues relating to child protection. She understands typical

p.5

provision

signs and symptoms of possible child abuse and keeps contact numbers of relevant agencies on her mobile telephone. She tells parents of her responsibility to protect children and has attended child protection training.

p.6

provision

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the areas of learning. She knows the children reasonably well and this helps her meet their learning needs adequately. Although she keeps some records to monitor children's progress and keep parents informed, none of these were available at the inspection. Nonetheless, the childminder talks about the children's individual needs and keeps them suitably occupied. The childminder has a self-evaluation process, but this is not robust enough to ensure she continues to meet all of the legal requirements. She has attended some training since the last inspection, such as a suitable first-aid course, which enables her to treat children appropriately in the event of a minor accident. However, there were no written records of any accidents or medication available. Records of children's attendance are kept up to date on her mobile telephone. The childminder communicates with parents verbally when

p.6

provision

they collect their children. She updates them via text messages throughout the day and sends emails to tell them about children's activities and routines. Her knowledge of the children and their families is sound, demonstrating she gathers sufficient information from parents to understand their individual needs. The childminder recognises the importance of sharing information with other providers, for example, she contacts pre-school or nursery providers where she shares children's care. This helps her to promote continuity of learning for those children.

p.6

The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

p.6

actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

p.6

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

 inform Ofsted of the name, date of birth and telephone number of anyone living or working on the childminding premises (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that all measures are taken to minimise risks to children; this refers specifically to cat litter and cat food left within reach of children (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  inform Ofsted of the name, date of birth and telephone number of anyone living or working on the childminding premises (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that all measures are taken to minimise risks to children; this refers specifically to cat litter and cat food left within reach of children (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

p.6

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. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of 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

p.8

Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

p.8

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.

p.9

Setting details

Unique reference number EY416222 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 967128 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 3

p.9

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.

p.9

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.9

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.

p.9

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.

p.9

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.

p.10

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,

p.10

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’.

p.11

Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.11