Reval, Louise Karen

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 EY367345 Inspection date 05/03/2009 Inspector Lynn Denise Smith

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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 2007. She lives with her husband, mother-in-law and two children aged nine months and five years in Jaywick Sands. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder drives to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the library and to the park. The childminder has regular links with other local childminders.

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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, who attends on a part-time basis. This child is within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 12 years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

A low step to the main door provides access to the premises at the front of the house, a system of deep steps lead from the house to the garden at the rear of the building. The bathroom is situated on the ground floor. The childminder provides parents with written policies which provides them with details about her service.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder's knowledge of childcare and the children in her care enables her to effectively promote all aspects of their learning and welfare. Children play in a safe and secure environment in which all children and families are valued and welcomed. Children's progress and achievements are effectively observed and used to inform their individual planning. Partnerships with parents are promoted verbally and in writing and the childminder is developing links with the local school in line with the EYFS. Effective self- evaluation by the childminder enables her to identify aspects of her provision which could be further improved.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop links with other settings providing for children within the EYFS.

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provision

Children are cared for by a newly registered childminder who, after registering took a period of time for maternity leave before commencing childminding. This time enabled her to develop her procedures, undertake all relevant training and prepare her provision effectively. The childminder demonstrates a sound This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 commitment to progressing her childcare knowledge through further training and is currently working towards her Diploma in Home Based Childcare.

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provision

All adults living on the premises are appropriately vetted and clearance evidence is held on file. Children are very effectively safeguarded as the childminder is knowledgeable about her responsibilities with regards to protecting the children in her care. The home is kept safe and secure through a process of daily safety checks and rigorous risk assessments. Risk assessments are also carried out for each type of outing and effectively documented. The childminder has entered into a culture of self-evaluation and constantly reviews her practices, monitoring their effectiveness and making relevant changes where required. The childminder shares information with parents on a daily, verbal basis and has tried a number of ways of relaying important information in writing. She has links with the local school and is working towards a process of effectively sharing information about the children's progress and achievements in line with the requirements of the

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provision

Clear records and documentation are available regarding the children's personal details and reviewed regularly. A set of written policies and procedures are in place and implemented effectively, these include safeguarding children, complaints and inclusion.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and development is expertly promoted by a caring and professional childminder. Children enthusiastically develop a sound understanding about keeping themselves healthy and safe as they listen carefully to the childminder's directions, for example, they understand the importance of washing their hands before snacks and meals and know that they need to clear some toys away to make room for others. Children are lively and enjoy developing physical skills when they play in the childminder's garden and when they go for walks in the local area. They have fun participating in a 'Pancake Race' from one end of the childminder's very long garden to the other. Children enjoy a range of healthy and nutritious snacks and meals at the childminder's home. The meals consist of a good amount of fresh fruit and vegetables and the children sit together to share this important time of the day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children freely move around the ground floor of the childminder's house, accessing the hallway, lounge, bathroom and bedrooms. The premises afford them a good amount of clear floor space in which to explore and extend their play. Examples of the children's creative work are displayed around the house and relevant information for parents is presented effectively. Children safely self-select resources form the extensive range available to them as the childminder stores and presents the toys in low-level storage containers for easy access. Children have access to a large enclosed garden, however at present this needs to be supervised by the childminder as the garden is only accessible by negotiating a set of very deep steps. The childminder has made the area safe by erecting a fence and gate to prevent children having free access to this potential safety hazard. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time at the childminder's home, they are made to feel welcome and an important member of the family. Children's individual needs are effectively met as the childminder and parents share relevant information about their home backgrounds and starting points before the childminding agreement commences. Children are well-behaved and understand the childminder's house rules, they are constantly praised by the childminder who understands that raising children's self-esteem to enable them to feel confident and self-assured, enables them to progress in other aspects of their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with a good range of planned and free play opportunities. They are provided with resources and activities which enable them to make progress in all six areas of development, for example, they learn to write recognisable letters and sentences through a range of writing activities. They chat freely to the childminder and have their language extended by her asking open ended questions and providing them time to answer. They learn to build and construct with a selection of building bricks and explore a range of materials. Children express themselves through art, role play and music. The childminder has space within her weekly planning sheets to record the children's interests and incorporates a good range of activities which follow their individual learning paths. Clear observations are made of the children's progress and plotted against the stepping stones. The observations are then used to inform the childminder's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

planning and to determine the children's next steps. 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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 the last inspection.

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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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