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 202208 Inspection date 04/02/2009 Inspector Jenny Howell

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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 has been registered since 1994. She lives with her three adult children in a linked detached house with a fully enclosed rear garden. The premises are situated on the periphery of Chelmsford with play facilities, schools and parks within walking distance. The whole of the property is registered for childminding. The property is accessed via a small step into the hall, with bathroom facilities downstairs. The family have two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years register as well as both the Compulsory and Voluntary Childcare registers. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years and is currently caring for seven children, providing part-time care and also before and after school care. The childminder takes children to, and collects them from the local school and pre-school.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is very effective in meeting the individual needs of each child in her care, with each child fully included. High levels of support ensure that children's welfare is promoted and effective partnerships are established with parents and other professionals to ensure continuity of care. The childminder's good understanding of how children develop helps her to support them in making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder carries out some self-evaluation and has been able to make improvements since her last inspection.

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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 in order to better support continuous improvement.  develop planning to provide experiences which support children in making progress towards the early learning goals  develop sensitive observational assessment in order to meet individual children's learning needs.

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provision

The childminder is skilled in supporting children and meeting their needs. She keeps her knowledge and understanding up to date by regularly attending further training and by reading relevant literature. She maintains an up-to-date first aid certificate and holds appropriate insurance. All required records are kept up to date and subsequently they contribute to the smooth running of the setting. The childminder is able to make improvements to the service she provides and has demonstrated this by addressing the recommendation raised at her last inspection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 She is also able to identify what she needs to do in order to improve further. However, this is not yet done through a planned system of self-evaluation which identifies the action that needs to be taken in order to bring about the identified improvements.

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provision

The childminder organises her home extremely well. This ensures that children are able to choose independently from a wide range of appropriate toys, while also having adequate space in which to play and move freely. Effective risk assessments are in place to ensure that hazards are minimised, and the childminder has a good awareness of potential dangers, taking action to avoid these. The childminder has a good understanding of how to protect children and takes her duty of care extremely seriously.

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provision

All children have their needs effectively met. The childminder is keenly aware of the individual needs of every child and works with parents and carers to provide children with care tailored to their specific requirements. Good relationships with parents and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as pre- schools, helps the childminder to ensure that children have a smooth and consistent experience as they transfer between different care providers.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children feel very confident and happy with the childminder. As a result of this they are fully engaged in meaningful play which effectively supports their learning and development. The childminder supports learning very well. She organises her home so that children can choose freely from a range of toys and resources which meet their learning needs. This helps to ensure that children learn by following their own interests. Effective interactions with the childminder also help to support learning. For example, children enjoy developing their language and communication skills as they talk to the childminder about what they are doing, take orders for drinks as they play with the kitchen toys and describe what they are going to buy as they pretend to go to the shops.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has started to make informal observations of what children can do and these demonstrate that she has a good understanding of how children learn through play and first-hand experiences. She has made some use of this information to plan what to do next in order to help individual children make progress, however assessments are not yet fully utilised in order to support planning and ensure that children are able to make progress towards all of the early learning goals. Children enjoy a good range of stimulating and interesting play and learning opportunities. This includes regular trips around the surrounding area and the use of local resources such as the park, river and library which help to enhance and extend learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is effective in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children in her care. Good routines are in place to promote health with children supported in learning to use the toilet and washing their own hands. Training in first aid helps to ensure that the childminder can care for children in the event of an accident or emergency. Children also have their emotional needs met as they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enjoy a caring relationship with the childminder and are cuddled and comforted if they are upset or have hurt themselves. Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals and enjoy choosing which fruit they will have with their lunch, helping them to learn about making healthy choices.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are helped to learn about keeping themselves safe through simple house rules and clear instructions about how to act when walking around the local area. Children develop good habits which will help them to develop good learning skills as they get older. They are encouraged to talk about the things which interest them and are provided with opportunities to extend this learning. For example, a child with an interest in vehicles is taken to visit the bus station while a child who is fascinated by the iced-over river is encouraged to observe what happens to ice- cubes if they are placed in a drink. As a result of this children are encouraged to be inquisitive and observe the world around them. Children behave extremely well and have good opportunities to develop social and team-work skills both at the childminder's as well as through visits to toddler groups and pre-school. 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 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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