Matthews Allison Clair

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 202685 Inspection date 30/01/2009 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 1999. She lives with her husband and one child aged 12 years and one adult child aged 17 years in Clacton-on-Sea. 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 walks 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding six children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. Three of the children are 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

The childminder has a tortoise and some fish in tanks.

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Description of the childminding

A low step to the main door ensures access to the premises. The bathroom is situated on the ground floor. The childminder provides parents with a written prospectus 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 outstanding. The childminder demonstrates a superb knowledge of children's individual needs ensuring that her provision promotes all aspects of their welfare, learning and development to an extremely high standard. Children enthusiastically play and learn in a fully inclusive setting whereby excellent links are developed with their parents and other settings providing for the Early Years Foundation Stage. Rigorous monitoring and procedures for self-evaluation ensure that the childminder is aware of her strengths and identifies any areas for development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 ensure that a clear record of all medication administered is available.

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provision

Children are cared for by an experienced childminder who has been caring for minded children for ten years. She is committed to enhancing her childcare knowledge through training courses and current literature. Courses the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 has attended over the past few years include, safeguarding, first aid, EYFS and working with the 5-14 year olds. She is currently in the process of completing her Diploma in Home Based Childcare. All adults living on the premises have been appropriately vetted to ensure they are suitable to be in the proximity of children and the childminder always monitors the visitors to her home.

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provision

Children are safe and secure within the childminder's home as she has effective safeguarding procedures in place. She demonstrates a sound knowledge of her responsibilities with regards to protecting children. Excellent partnerships are in place between the childminder and parents. Parents provide the childminder with written feedback on her service as part of her overall inspection process. The childminder and parents share relevant daily information with each other verbally and through a daily diary. Links are developing between the childminder and the nursery which some of the children attend and she has good methods of communication with the local school.

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provision

Children's safety is paramount to this childminder, who rigorously checks her home each morning for hazards. Extensive risk assessments are in place for indoors and for each type of outing. The childminder clearly knows her provision and is confident about what she provides for her families. She uses clear means of monitoring and evaluating the setting to identify areas for development.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and development are superbly promoted through the childminder's clear policies and effective practices. Children gain a sound understanding about keeping themselves safe and secure as they follow the childminder's clear directions, for example, when walking back from nursery they all hold hands and carefully consider the safest place to cross the road. They understand about healthy procedures such as hand washing and know that this is expected of them and reduces the spread of germs. Procedures for recording every administration of medication need to be tightened. Children experience fresh air on a daily basis when they play in the childminder's garden, go for walks in the local area and visit the park. They enjoy a range of mid day meals with their friends which usually comprise of healthy sandwiches, fruit and yoghurts.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play, learn and have fun in an extremely well-organised and welcoming environment. They have safe access to an enormous selection of toys and play equipment which is stored in tidy low-level storage units. They use the good amount of clear floor space to extend their play across the lounge floor and sit at the table to participate in creative or intricate activities. Children access the childminder's garden through the dining room doors, this is well organised and suitably equipped to ensure children are provided with good opportunities to develop their physical skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are valued and respected within the childminder's home. They are spoken to in a calm and gentle way by the childminder, who understands that children need praise and encouragement to allow their self-esteem to flourish. They are encouraged to make choices and to help each other. Children have superb This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunities to learn about other people's cultures and to gain a sound understanding about equality and diversity as the childminder extends their thinking through well-planned activities and open discussions.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children progress at their own pace assisted by a wonderful range of planned and free play activities covering all six areas of learning. Each child has a photographic journey of their learning which logs the extensive experiences that the childminder provides for them. Clear observations enable the childminder to plot the children's progress, record their achievements and plan for their next stage of development. Children enthusiastically participate in activities which promoted their communication, language and literacy, for example, they look at books and listen attentively to stories. They are provided with good resources to make marks throughout their play. Children enjoy cooking and experimenting with a range of different materials. They make cakes, decorate biscuits and decorate chocolate covered apples as part of a celebrated festival. Children are creative and have fun with paints, glue and collage materials.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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? 1 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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