Childminder, Out-of school day care 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 EY371835 Inspection date 12/11/2008 Inspector Sandra Daniels

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 husband and two children aged four and seven in Brentwood, Essex. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is an outside play area. Access to the premises is via a small step into the hallway and there are toilet facilities on the first floor. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group, both aged four years. In addition, the childminder is caring for one child in the older age group, aged five years. Children attend before and after school and during the school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is registered on the Early Years

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Description of the childminding

Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) thoroughly enjoy the time they spend with the childminder and her family. Children are making very good progress in their learning and development. The close and professional partnerships that exist between the childminder and parents means that children's needs and interests are well recognised and acknowledged. The childminder clearly values diversity and is effective in ensuring that all children are well integrated and achieving as much as they can. A positive approach towards maintaining continuous improvement results in better outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the self evaluation process to support continuous improvement. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and maintain a record of these particular aspects and when and by whom they have been checked. 15/12/2008

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provision

Children have many good opportunities to learn and develop in this setting because the childminder uses her knowledge and skills effectively to ensure she provides a balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. Before each placement This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 starts, the childminder gathers important information about children through discussions with parents and her own observations. Daily information is shared between parents, the childminder and schools, ensuring that children's needs are met. This means that parents are fully informed and involved in their child's care and progress and the childminder is able to balance her provision with the experiences children receive in school. A comprehensive set of policies and procedures, which are unique to this setting, work very well to underpin the good practice in this provision to promote children's safety and well-being.

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provision

Children are well safeguarded as the childminder is fully aware of her role and responsibilities with regard to protecting children. This information is sensitively shared with parents through discussion and via the welcome pack presented to them at the start of each placement. The childminder takes action to reduce potential hazards in the home. However, there is no structured risk assessment in place to monitor safety issues. Children are very well supervised at all times and begin to learn about keeping themselves safe. They all wear high visibility jackets on the walk to and from school and learn how to cross roads safely. The childminder does reflect on her practice, however, continuous improvement requires a more detailed system for self evaluation, detailing areas for future development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children thrive in this setting because the childminder has built and maintains highly effective relationships with parents of the minded children and also with the main provider of the EYFS; the children's school. She attends open days at the school and supports children after school with reading and lively discussions about their school day. In turn, this information is shared with parents at the end of each day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's individual interests are at the heart of the planning of activities and experiences which are stimulating and fun. During term times, when children are cared for before and after school, they usually begin talking about what they are going to do on their way home from school. Children benefit from an extensive range of toys and resources which are appropriate to their ages and stages of development. They engage enthusiastically in imaginative play, pretending to be 'mummies and daddies'. They love to involve the childminder in their play and she joins in with equal enthusiasm. Children are extremely happy, relaxed and confident with the childminder who provides an environment which is like a second home for children before and after school; a place for activity, rest and taking refreshments. The childminder observes children sensitively and responds appropriately to encourage curiosity and learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

During school holidays, children participate in many trips and outings, for example, to the park, cinema, bowling, seaside, zoo and country parks. In the home they enjoy and learn from cooking, painting, creative activities and physical activities in the garden. Children's health and well-being are promoted successfully as the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder sets a good example for them to follow. Children spontaneously know to wash their hands before meal times and after using the toilet. They are well nourished as the childminder provides freshly cooked meals every day. 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

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is 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? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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

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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