Bennett-Smith, Mrs Gemma Maria

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 EY371568 Inspection date 09/10/2008 Inspector Sarah Johnson

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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 was registered in 2008. She lives with her two children aged seven and 11 years. The childminder works with another registered childminder and minds from her co-childminder's house in Colchester, Essex. The co- childminder's four children aged three, eight, 11 and 13 years live at the property. The ground floor of the property is used for childminding and a secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities. The premises is accessed via the front entrance which has a low step. The co-childminder has two dogs and four cats as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder may care for a maximum of five children when working alone and a maximum of eight children when working with the co-childminder. Both childminders have joint responsibility for the childminding practice. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) years. They live in the local area and attend additional early years provisions nearby. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five to eight years, before and after school and during the school holidays. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to regular social activities at the local children's centre and on outings to the nearby park and field.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides effectively for children in the EYFS. Children are happy and relaxed in the childminder's care and clearly enjoy their time at the setting. They are making good progress in their learning and development as the childminder offers a wide range of outings and activities, which are planned so that everyone can participate. Partnership with parents is effective, helping to ensure that children enjoy continuity of care. The childminder has a very positive attitude towards monitoring her practice, helping to ensure outcomes for children are continuously built upon.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of observations and assessments and use these to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child  update the safeguarding policy to include the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation of harm or abuse being made against the childminder or any other person living, working, or looking after children at the premises.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing. 23/10/2008

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provision

The childminder works closely in partnership with her co-childminder to offer good quality care and education for the children in her care. She has completed a range of relevant introductory training to ensure she has the knowledge and understanding needed for her role. A good range of written policies have been devised and these are implemented effectively to promote children's welfare and safety.

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provision

The childminder knows the children in her care really well. This is because she shares information with parents and takes time to find out about children's individual needs and routines. Children experience very good levels of supervision and attention because the childminder works effectively with her co-childminder to plan the daily routines and ensure the required adult to child ratios are met at all times. This is particularly evident in the organisation of outings and when the childminder plans the collection of children from other settings. Children's safety is promoted as appropriate checks are carried out on the adults who care for them and have regular contact with them. The childminder has a very good understanding of her roles and responsibilities in protecting children from harm and has completed training relating to safeguarding children. However, she has not fully considered the procedures to follow if an allegation of harm or abuse was

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provision

made against herself or anyone who lives or works at the premises. Thorough risk assessments are completed on a daily basis, enabling the childminder to identify and minimise any risks to children's safety in the premises. However, risk assessments have not been carried out for each type of outing.

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provision

Children benefit as the childminder has effective systems in place for monitoring and evaluating the provision. She has completed the self-evaluation form in partnership with her co-childminder, identifying key strengths in her practice and areas for improvement. A positive policy is implemented to promote equality of opportunity and inclusive practice for all children at the setting.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning and development as they enjoy the wide range of outings, activities and resources that cover all areas of learning. Some activities such as circle time and visits to the local field are planned in advance and led by the childminder, although more emphasis is placed on enabling children to initiate activities themselves. Observation is used as a tool for monitoring children’s progress, however, the observations are not recorded or used systematically to inform planning for individual children. Good links have been formed with the other early years settings that children attend, ensuring valuable information about children's development is gathered and shared effectively. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has developed warm and trusting relationships with children and they often invite her to join in with their play. They are developing good self-esteem

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

as the childminder listens attentively to them and values their responses. She ensures each child is provided with an individual approach by adapting activities to meet their specific needs and offering additional individual support when required. The learning environment is organised well. It affords children with ample space to spread out in their play and explore the play resources, many of which are set out at a low-level for them to see and reach easily.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them of the rules that keep them safe, such as stopping, looking and listening for traffic before crossing the road. The childminder acts as a positive role model for behaviour and actively encourages younger children to take turns when they are learning how to share outdoor play resources. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of diversity as the childminder encourages positive open discussion about people's similarities and differences, often using books which reflect positive information about people with disabilities or from various ethnic groups. The childminder ensures that children develop effective numeracy skills from a young age to enhance their future economic wellbeing. For example, she encourages them to develop their counting skills throughout everyday routines. 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. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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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 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

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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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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