Childminder in Harrow

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 09/06/2014 05/05/2011

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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

 The childminder does not keep the premises, including food preparation areas, clean or tidy. This compromises children's health and well-being.  The childminder does not conduct risk assessments of the home on a regular basis to ensure any hazards are minimised.  The childminder has a limited knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She does not assess children's learning frequently enough. Therefore, she cannot be sure of children's stages of learning to allow her to provide suitable learning opportunities and resources. This limits children's progress.  The childminder does not promote children's communication and language development effectively because she does not talk to children as they play to promote the spoken word.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder maintains most of the required documentation to support her childminding practices.  Children attend many different groups outside the home and are involved in a range of experiences which 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 the childminder and the minded child present in the lounge and garden.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection about the systems she has in place for observation, assessment and planning.  The inspector sampled documentation the childminder uses to support her practice.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 1992. She lives with her husband, two adult children and two school-age children in South Harrow in the London Borough of Harrow. The childminder uses the ground floor of her home for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is currently caring for two children in the early years age range and one child in the later years age group after school. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has three cats.

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The provision is inadequate and Ofsted intends to take the following

We will issue a Welfare Requirements Notice requiring the provider to:

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The provision is inadequate and Ofsted intends to take the following

ensure the premises are clean and fit for purpose

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The provision is inadequate and Ofsted intends to take the following

carry out a risk assessment to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, when and by whom those aspects will be checked, and how the risk will be removed or minimised.

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must:

 implement a system for observing and assessing children's learning in all areas, in order to plan the next steps in children's learning, through providing challenging and stimulating activities that help them make progress in their development

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must:

 ensure there are suitable facilities for the hygienic preparation of food and drink for children

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must:

 gain knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage

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must:

 increase children's communication and language skills as well as possible by talking aloud, describing what children are doing and encouraging them to comment on their play activities.

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who attend

The childminder has a limited understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Although she undertakes some observations of the children, she does not use this information effectively in order to track progress and identify key areas to help individual children's development. In addition, she does not plan her days for the children to maximise learning opportunities and provide stimulating activities. This results in some children lacking enthusiasm for learning and not fully engaging in active play.

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who attend

During the inspection, the childminder attempted to engage children in play and provided them with some pasta, bowls and spoons. Children spent some time transferring the pasta from one bowl to another. However, the childminder demonstrated that she lacks knowledge of how make this learning purposeful. The childminder tried to engage children by asking questions such as, 'What is this?' or 'What are you doing?' but did not make this activity interesting enough to sustain their interest. The childminder does not provide enough support to encourage children's communication and language as they play. She provides lots of instructions and does not fully promote understanding by asking open- ended questions. She does not talk to the children often enough and encourage them to talk about what they are doing as they play. In addition, she tends to chat with other adults in the home, which takes her attention away from the children communicating with

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who attend

Children enjoy some time engaging in play with large blocks. The childminder sits with the children during this time and introduces some mathematical concepts. Children build high towers and begin to count how many bricks they have used. This activity also supports their hand-and-eye coordination as they carefully place the blocks on top of each other so they do not fall. The childminder regularly visits local children's centres or toddler groups where children take part in a range of experiences outside the home. During this time, children enjoy engaging in creative and messy play activities. Children also enjoy playing outside in the garden where they are skilled in climbing the steps to the slide and enjoy riding around in the sit-in cars.

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who attend

The childminder ensures she has basic information from parents about children's routines to support the settling-in time. She provides verbal feedback and uses a daily diary to ensure parents are aware of their child's day. In addition, the childminder takes photographs of the children at play and shares these with parents. In this way, parents are kept suitably informed about their child's day while in the care of the childminder.

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

The childminder does not ensure her home is maintained to a suitable level of cleanliness and as a result, the premises are dirty and unhygienic. The floors and furniture where children sit and play are dirty. This includes the kitchen and toilet facilities, which have not been thoroughly cleaned on a regular basis. There is no clean area available for the preparation of snacks and drinks. This means young children's health is not protected due to the poor hygiene conditions. In addition, there is lack of space for children to play comfortably due to these rooms being extremely untidy with bundles of clothes and everyday items left out. Furthermore, the childminder does not carry out a daily check on her premises to make sure it is safe and this poses a risk to children's overall safety, as she is unaware of any hazards that may be hidden in this untidiness.

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

The childminder does not plan her routines to take into account the children's needs preferring to attempt to tidy up when children are present rather than before they arrive in the morning. This results in children being left to wander and not engaged or motivated to play with the toys available. Once the childminder engages with them in play, children seek reassurance and cuddles from her, demonstrating they are suitably settled in her care. The childminder was kind and caring to the children and their behaviour was appropriately managed.

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

The childminder attends to children's care needs ensuring they are given regular drinks, snacks and meals, and she has a sound awareness of children's individual dietary needs. Currently, parents provide their children's midday lunch. Children benefit from outdoor activity to promote their physical development. They enjoy daily fresh air and exercise in the garden. They often visit the park where they can run freely and release their energy.

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provision

This inspection took place following information received by Ofsted that raised concerns about the suitability of an adult family member and the condition of the home, particularly in regards to the cleanliness and the safety. The childminder understands her responsibilities to make sure all adults in the home understand and comply with the no smoking rules in the home. However, the childminder is not meeting all of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Consequently, Ofsted intends to take enforcement action. In particular, the childminder's home is unhygienic and untidy. She does not check her home daily to make sure that any hazardous items are inaccessible to children. This compromises children's health and safety. In addition, the childminder fails to meet the requirements of the Childcare Register.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates too little understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a result, there is currently no effective monitoring of children's ongoing progress through assessment. The activities are limited and do not reflect the individual needs and interests of children sufficiently. This means children are not able to reach their full potential.

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provision

Nonetheless, the childminder shows a suitable understanding of child protection policies and procedures and she is aware of her responsibilities, and the process to follow, if concerned about a child. The childminder maintains the required documentation. She completes medication and accident records when needed and holds a current paediatric first aid certificate, which means she is able to deal with minor injuries. Parents sign consent forms in respect of childcare arrangements. For example, they give permission for their children to go on outings.

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provision

Although the childminder has attended many courses to support her development, she does not recognise the weaknesses in her practice. The childminder has failed to address previous actions relating to keeping the home clean and safe. Her capacity to improve is limited.

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provision

The childminder obtains references and parental feedback and these indicate they are happy with the childminder's care of their children. The childminder has regular discussions with the local school that the older children attend and this ensures information is shared and relayed back to parents.

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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:

 undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment at least once in each calendar year and immediately, where the need for an assessment arises; ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise any identified risks (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure the premises and equipment used for the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  undertake a risk assessment of the premises and equipment at least once in each calendar year and immediately, where the need for an assessment arises; ensure that all necessary measures are taken to minimise any identified risks (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure the premises and equipment used for the purposes of the childcare are safe and suitable (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. 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

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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.

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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 147750 Local authority Harrow Inspection number 977293 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 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

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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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