Robbins Alison

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12/12/2014 26/10/2012

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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

 Teaching is poor. The childminder is not using ongoing assessment, which includes the progress check at age two, or observations effectively. As a result, she is unable to understand children's levels of achievement or plan for their next steps in learning. Consequently, children are not making good progress.  The childminder does not work effectively in partnership with parents. She is not able to provide them with information about children's progress and learning. Consequently, she is unable to guide them in extending their children's development at home.  The childminder does not keep a daily record of children's attendance and she does not have the required contact and emergency details for all children in her care. This results in one or more breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements, which has a negative impact on the safety and well-being of children.

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It has the following strengths

 The childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of the importance of promoting children's health and hygiene. She provides children with regular opportunities to enjoy fresh air and exercise to promote healthy lifestyles.  The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and is confident to report concerns, in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines.

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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 one activity and the lunchtime routine in the childminder's house. She talked with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at evidence of the suitability of household members, and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding and complaints procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held joint discussions with the childminder in relation to observations of the children's play, learning and progress.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1997 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and adult child in Shefford, Bedfordshire. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding. The family has two dogs. The childminder takes children to and collects them from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently eight children on roll, seven of whom are in the early years age range. All children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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must:

 ensure that a daily record of the names of the children being cared for on the premises and their hours of attendance is in place

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must:

 ensure that the required contact and emergency details are held for all children

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must:

 ensure that every child's learning and care is tailored to meet their individual needs; engage and support parents and carers in extending their children's learning at home

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must:

 ensure that ongoing assessment involves observing children in order to shape learning experiences; deliver all areas of learning through planned, purposeful play to ensure that the individual needs, interests and stage of development is known for each child; plan challenging and enjoyable experiences that promote children's next steps in learning.

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who attend

The childminder demonstrates a limited knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and this results in inadequate teaching. She provides children with some experiences and outings, such as local activity groups, but she does not plan purposeful activities to encourage sufficient challenge. The childminder does not know enough about the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure that she is observing children and effectively assessing where they are in their learning. As a result, the childminder is not aware of whether children are showing typical development, at risk of delay, or are in advance of expected learning and development levels. The childminder is not using observations to enable her to extend and enhance children's development across all areas of learning. She is able to explain children's next steps, in relation to their age and general milestones, but she does not use ongoing assessment in order to understand their level of achievement or

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who attend

individual learning style. The childminder supports children's communication and language skills as she regularly talks with them during their play. For example, as children create a track for the trains to ride on, the childminder encourages them to talk about their ideas and suggestions on the shape of this.

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who attend

The childminder supports children to be independent. For example, she encourages them to visit the toilet independently before mealtimes. She supports them in putting on and taking off their coats and shoes, and they make choices about their play from the toys available. However, observations are not frequent enough to build on children's progress, and this means that the childminder is not preparing them effectively for school. The childminder is unclear about their stage of development, with regard to the learning and development requirements. She demonstrates a poor understanding of how to encourage further progress through planned, purposeful, adult-led activities and experiences.

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who attend

Children have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills because the childminder offers them outside activities on a regular basis. Children enjoy visits to the park or they join in with local community activities. For example, children help to decorate a Christmas tree in the local church, enabling them to develop their fine physical skills. The childminder encourages regular communication and discussion with parents to ensure that they are always up to date with important information. However, the childminder is not working effectively with parents. For example, although she shares children's photographic profiles with parents, she is not able to provide them with information about their children's progress and learning. This means that she is unable to support parents in extending their children's learning and development at home.

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

Children's awareness of their personal safety is appropriate because the childminder uses the walks to and from school and outings to talk about road safety. This means that children are aware of hazards and risks and are learning about protecting themselves. However, there are breaches in the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which has a negative impact on children's safety. The childminder supports children of all ages in making friendships with their peers as they share toys and resources. She encourages children to play together and they are happy in their environment. The childminder is aware of the children's individual care needs, such as toilet training, and she discusses these sensitively with parents. She joins in with their play and happily interacts with them. As a result, the childminder supports their emotional well- being.

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

In her role as key person, the childminder helps children to build relationships. She provides opportunities for them to meet up with other children, to encourage their social skills, at regular outside activities. She encourages children to behave appropriately by promoting her house rules and reminding them to share the toys available. She uses methods, such as distraction and time out, to support children as they learn about appropriate ways in which to behave. The childminder supports children's personal, social and emotional development. For example, she praises them for washing their hands and using the toilet independently. Young children have opportunities to visit local schools as the childminder collects and takes older children to and from these. She talks to children about their move to 'big school' and she supports them by encouraging opportunities, such as practising handwriting, as they prepare for their move. However, because the

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

childminder lacks an understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage, she is not providing children with sufficient challenge. As a result, she is not promoting their overall readiness for school.

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

Children's understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle is suitable. For example, the childminder regularly reminds them of the importance of hand washing to remove germs. Additionally, they discuss covering their mouths when they sneeze or cough. Parents provide children with a range of fresh, nutritious meals and snacks, and this supports their understanding of healthy living further. Children have regular opportunities to explore outside and they use a range of resources in the childminder's garden. As a result, they have opportunities for fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. The childminder encourages parents to share information about children's care routines, to ensure that she continually meets these. She provides children and families with settling-in visits so that she can gain knowledge of their likes and interests, and this supports children to feel secure in their move from home.

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provision

The inspection was prioritised following concerns raised about the provider's ability to safeguard children. The inspection found that the childminder does not effectively safeguard children in the later years age group because she has, on occasion, left children unsupervised and therefore able to leave the premises unaccompanied. This is a breach of the requirements of both parts of the Childcare Register. Arrangements for safeguarding children in the early years are inadequate because the childminder does not meet the Early Years Foundation Stage safeguarding and welfare requirements. For example, she fails to keep a daily record of children's attendance. In addition to this, she fails to ensure that she has the required contact and emergency details for all children in her care. As a result, children's safety is compromised. The childminder has a suitable awareness of the procedures to follow with regard to child protection. For example, she is aware of the

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provision

signs and symptoms of abuse and she has the correct details for contacting professionals if concerns arise. Additionally, the childminder ensures that the required Disclosure and Barring Service checks for all adults living on the premises are in place.

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provision

The childminder does not fulfil her responsibilities in meeting the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage with regard to the educational programmes. For example, she does not plan a range of experiences and activities to challenge and promote children's learning and development. Additionally, the childminder does not evaluate the activities children take part in, to ensure that they reflect the needs and abilities of those attending. Consequently, she is not narrowing gaps in children's learning and development. As a result, teaching does not have a positive influence on their overall well-being. The childminder lacks knowledge and understanding of how to evaluate, to identify strengths and areas for development. This means that she fails to take action to promote continuous improvement. As a result, she is failing to meet a number of legal requirements.

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provision

Relationships with parents and carers are suitable. The childminder regularly discusses children's care needs during the drop-off and collection periods. Communication focuses on what children have taken part in during the day and the outings they may have enjoyed, but there is limited discussion around their progress and achievements. The childminder does conduct some visual observations and she creates learning journeys for the children in her care. However, she does not plan for their next steps in learning. This means that she is not able to assess where they are in their development. Relationships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage are sound because the childminder discusses children's time at primary school with staff and parents. As a result, she generally supports children's continuity of 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 are unable to leave the premises unsupervised (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that the childminder is present on the premises at all times when childcare is being provided (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that children are unable to leave the premises unsupervised, except where the child is aged eight or over and the parent of the child has agreed that they may leave the provision unaccompanied (voluntary part of the Childcare Register)  ensure that the childminder is present on the premises at all times when childcare is being provided (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 219872 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 1000017 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 8

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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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