Blower, Casey

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 EY366551 Inspection date 06/01/2009 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 was registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and two children, aged one year and three years, in a residential area of Colchester, Essex. The whole of the premises is used for childminding, with the exception of the second floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding one child on a part-time basis. The childminder offers places for children on the Early Years Foundation Stage Register and the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks or drives to the local pre-school and schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group, library and park with minded children.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides effectively for children within the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment where they play and learn under constant supervision. The childminder has developed effective relationships with parents and carers, ensuring continuity of care. Children's achievements and progress are regularly monitored. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous improvement and is beginning to identify areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment and review it regularly  develop planning and assessment to ensure all areas of learning are covered. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure a daily record of the names of children looked after on the premises is maintained (Documentation) 20/01/2009

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provision

Children are well cared for by a childminder who has recently registered. The childminder uses her understanding of child development to provide the children in her care with a safe and stimulating learning environment. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continuing to develop her knowledge and understanding to improve outcomes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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 to inform her practice and ensure all needs are met. Written parental permissions have been obtained, helping to ensure children are cared for in line with their parents' wishes. However, children's hours of attendance at the setting are not recorded. The childminder spends valuable time getting to know the children and their families well, developing good

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provision

relationships and helping to ensure children feel relaxed and secure.

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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 cared for in a safe environment, however, risk assessments have not be completed within the home to ensure hazards are identified and minimised.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a warm, bright and child-friendly environment, where they have ample space to move around and play. Children learn to keep themselves safe as, for example, they practise road safety when walking outside the home. The childminder has considered an evacuation procedure to be followed in the event of an emergency. Children's health is promoted as the childminder provides frequent opportunities for physical activity in the safe and secure garden or during visits to local parent and toddler groups. The childminder encourages children to make healthy choices about what they eat, providing a wide range of fresh fruit at snack time. Consistency of care is promoted as the childminder completes daily diary sheets detailing children's eating and sleeping patterns, and shares these with parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder organises her home well to enable children to independently select some toys and resources from the stimulating range offered. Parents provide information about their child's likes and dislikes and the childminder uses this to provide activities that are of interest, helping to motivate and engage children. Children benefit as the childminder has a secure understanding of how children learn through play. They enjoy spending time exploring resources such as sand and water, helping to develop good investigation and exploration skills. Children have supervised access to a range of fiction and non-fiction books and enjoy visiting the local library to participate in singing sessions. Craft activities such as painting and drawing provide valuable opportunities for children to use their imagination and the childminder offers support when required to ensure all children are able to access all activities. Regular observations are carried out to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

monitor children's progress. However, planning and assessment are not consistent and do not cover all areas of learning to ensure children make as much progress as possible towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is consistently calm and polite, acting as a positive role model for behaviour and encouraging sharing and respect for others. Developmentally appropriate behaviour management strategies such as praise and explanation are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 used effectively and children's behaviour is good. Children are developing an understanding of the wider world as they have access to resources that are representative of diversity such as books, puzzles and small world toys. 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? 3

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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. 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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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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