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 EY312190 Inspection date 02/10/2008 Inspector Jill Nugent

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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 registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two children, aged two and six years, in a house in Chigwell. The whole of the house is used for childminding and children have access to a secure outdoor play area. Children play mostly in the two rooms on the first floor of the house. There is good access to the house at ground level.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She employs three part-time assistants but works with only one of these assistants at any one time. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight when working on her own and a maximum of eight children under eight when working with an assistant. There are currently four children attending the provision within the Early Years Foundation Stage and five children on the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to her local primary school to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a setting in which children are well cared for and enjoy their play. She works together with her assistants, helping all children to feel included, and plans activities and celebrations which increase their awareness of cultural and religious diversity. She promotes children's health and safety but has not yet carried out any risk assessments or renewed her First Aid training. Children are offered a variety of learning experiences through the daily routine although they have limited choices and insufficient challenge to enable them all to progress in their learning. The childminder is at present developing her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage so that she can continually improve her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a system for using observations of children's development to plan a range of interesting activities which meet children's individual needs  extend the opportunities for children to make choices within the environment and interact effectively to support and challenge children in their learning.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course 30/11/2008  conduct a risk assessment of the premises and maintain a record of any aspects that need checking on a regular basis. 31/10/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has a set of written policies which explain her practice. She makes sure that her assistants are fully aware of these. There are systems in place for checking the suitability of all adults living and working on the premises. The childminder organises and supports her assistants in their day-to-day tasks so that they spend plenty of time with the children in her care. She has made some improvement to the provision since the last inspection, particularly for younger children following additional training in childcare for under-threes. She evaluates her provision informally, in discussion with her assistants, and is looking forward to attending training in the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to develop more ideas for continual improvement.

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provision

There are clear safeguarding procedures in place and the childminder knows what to do if she has any concerns about children. She liaises with parents and carers through conversation, informing new parents about her practice and generally keeping parents up to date with each day's events. Parents sign to show their agreement to her policies and give a variety of written consents regarding their children's care. Parents of older children are encouraged to provide workbooks so that children can practise their literacy and numeracy skills in the setting. The childminder finds out about their topics of study at school and has developed a link with the local children's centre in order to offer a wider range of opportunities for younger children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children explore the available resources with interest and are supported well by the childminder and her assistants. The adults help children to access toys and play with them, encouraging sharing and turn-taking. Children also enjoy some time to explore independently, for example, playing with a playhouse or telephone. They enjoy the attention of the adults and appreciate much praise for their achievements, for example, as they build models, count bricks or draw pictures. However, the adults tend to direct many of the play activities, for instance, gathering children together to colour pictures or look at books. Many resources are not easily accessible to children and, when adults do join them in play, they do not interact effectively to promote children's learning or extend their skills. This results in a lack of choice overall for children and, at times, causes instances of boredom and minor disputes between children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder organises activities according to a routine and in this way provides opportunities for children to explore creative materials and to learn about the natural environment. For example, children benefit from a learning opportunity that involves collecting leaves and decorating a large box, which they then use for role play. Younger children develop physical skills as they play outdoors with wheeled vehicles or explore play equipment at the park. Older children have a set time to do homework and are supported in this by the adults. The childminder talks with parents regarding the needs of children with learning difficulties so that she can This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 offer appropriate support. However, she has not yet developed a system for observing all children's development over time and using these to plan activities which interest, and meet the needs of, every individual child.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is attentive to hygiene, particularly with regard to nappy changing, and she encourages children's awareness of good hygiene practice. Children are offered a varied menu at mealtimes during the week and enjoy fresh fruit at snack times. The childminder's medical records are well maintained although her First Aid qualification expired eighteen months ago and has not yet been renewed. Children are cared for in a safe environment and learn to keep themselves safe when they play or walk to school. However, the childminder has not carried out a risk assessment of the premises, or any outings, so as to ensure all risks to children are minimised. Adults are aware of the procedures for safeguarding children and take particular care to ensure that children are only collected by a known adult. 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? Satisfactory 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? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course 30/11/2008 To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid course 30/11/2008 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 the last inspection that required the provider to take action.

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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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