Childminder in Essex

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 202385 Inspection date 14/10/2008 Inspector Justine Leong

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 1993. She lives with her husband and three children aged 20, ten and seven years in Brightlingsea, Essex. The first and second floors of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. Access is via a small step to the front of the property. The family have two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding six children on a part-time basis. The childminder offers places for children on the Early Years Foundation Stage Register and the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group with the minded children.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides effectively for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. Important information is obtained from parents, enabling the childminder to provide children with an individual approach and ensure all needs are met. Children are well cared for in a calm, safe and productive environment. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how children learn and develop. Children are secure and confident and are developing good relationships with others. Children's achievements are monitored and the childminder is beginning to develop systems to ensure all children make good progress.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 develop systems to ensure next steps in children's learning are used to inform planning.  develop systems to identify areas for improvement. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment and ensure it is regularly reviewed 06/11/2008  obtain written parental permissions to seek emergency medical treatment or advice 06/11/2008

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provision

Comprehensive policies and procedures have been devised and these are consistently implemented and shared with parents and carers. The childminder obtains important information about children's likes and dislikes to inform her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 practice, however, written parental permissions to seek emergency medical treatment or advice have not been obtained for all children. The childminder has completed a wide range of training which underpins and supports her good practice. The childminder spends time getting to know the children and their families well, developing good relationships and helping to ensure children feel relaxed and secure. The childminder encourages parents to visit and share their children's achievements and progress.

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provision

Effective systems are in place to ensure children are cared for by suitably vetted adults. Children's welfare is protected and promoted as the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her role in safeguarding children. Children are well cared for in a safe and nurturing environment, however, risk assessments have not be completed to ensure hazards are identified and minimised. The childminder demonstrates a willingness to consider how to improve outcomes for children although self-evaluation is not used effectively to identify areas for improvement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare, development and learning are effectively promoted by the childminder. Robust hygiene routines are in place, helping to ensure children's health is protected. For example, children are reminded to wash their hands before eating and after playing outside. The childminder has devised a clear sickness policy and shares this with parents, helping to minimise cross-infection if children are unwell. Children benefit from frequent opportunities to enjoy physical activity as they access the safe and secure garden, or visit local toddler groups and parks. The childminder provides a range of fresh fruit or vegetables at snack time and children have constant access to drinks to ensure they do not become thirsty.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are relaxed and secure in the childminder's care. They are increasingly confident and are developing good self-esteem as the childminder listens attentively and values their contributions. The childminder provides each child with an individual approach, adapting plans and activities to meet their specific needs, abilities and interests. Parents provide information about children's starting points, likes and dislikes and the childminder uses this effectively to ensure children remain motivated and interested. Space and resources are effectively organised to enable children to independently select activities. Children have ample space to move around and play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit as the childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn through play. They enjoy spending time exploring stimulating resources that cover all areas of learning. They have independent access to broad range of fiction and non-fiction books and sit together to share stories with the childminder. The childminder plans regular opportunities for children to develop creativity. For example, children work with the childminder to create a colourful and imaginative display following a nature walk in the local park. Sensitive support and effective questioning ensure all children are able to access all activities. Regular assessments are carried out to monitor children's progress, however, next steps in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's learning are not used consistently in planning to ensure children make as much progress as possible.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet requirements.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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