Childminder in Southend on Sea

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

p.1

Unique reference number EY313641 Inspection date 13/01/2009 Inspector Lisa Paisley

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2005. She lives with her partner, one adult child and two children aged 15 and four years in Leigh on Sea, Essex. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the childminder's home is via a step at the front door.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and when working with an assistant she is registered to care for a maximum of 11 children at any one time. The childminder is also registered to care for one child overnight. She is currently minding six children under five, both full-time and part-time, who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), and four children after school and during the school holidays. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children’s individual needs are met to an exceptionally high standard as the childminder has an extensive understanding of her role in meeting children's individual needs and valuing the uniqueness of each child in her care. The childminder is highly professional and effective in her role and she consistently takes effective steps to ensure that she continually improves outcomes for children. Children's welfare is successfully promoted and all children make outstanding progress in their learning and development. Informal monitoring and evaluation systems of the provision are in place, however, they are not yet formalised to ensure continuous improvements to the provision.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 develop formal self-assessments to ensure continuous improvements.

p.3

provision

Space and resources are well organised to provide children with an extensive range of interesting and enjoyable play experiences and activities. The planning of play and learning routines provide children with continued opportunities to explore within both small groups and on an individual basis. The childminder and assistant provide excellent opportunities enabling children to play and learn in comfortable surroundings in their own time and pace, ensuring consolidation and extension to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their learning is achieved. Professional and effective relationships with all parents have been successfully established as the childminder ensures all parents are informed about every aspect of their child's care. The childminder is pro-active in finding out additional information to support children and families through key transitions such as starting school. Successful working partnerships have been

p.3

provision

created with other agencies to ensure successful continuity of care for individual children. The efficiency of the childminder’s self-evaluation successfully ensures continuous improvements are achieved.

p.4

provision

The extensive range of documentation is comprehensive; this includes both core and additional policies and procedures. All documentation is accurately completed and all adult family members have been vetted; ensuring children's individual needs are consistently met to a high standard and they are fully safeguarded. The childminder is proactive in further extending her professional development, for example, obtaining an National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 in childcare and undertaking Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) training. Consequently, the childminder is well informed of any changes with regard to childcare practices and she has a very good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. The assistant has also completed key training such as safeguarding children and first aid. Overall, the childminder and assistant work extremely hard to ensure that the child’s welfare, play and learning are paramount while in their

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Extensive planning, assessment and observational systems including initial profiles on new children attending the provision are in place and are used effectively. This ensures that each child consistently receives enjoyable and challenging experiences across the six areas of learning that match both children's interests and developmental needs. Children's individual interests and developmental needs inform future activity plans as the childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how children play and learn. Consequently, children are making outstanding progress in all areas of learning. Their individual achievements and positive behaviour are valued as the childminder effectively supports all children; this includes positive praise and encouragement for individual achievements. Older children attending the provision are fully included and consulted on all aspects of the childminding, for example,

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

they are encouraged to complete a children's questionnaire and their views are considered when planning for trips out, such as the Hyde Hall, Hop Farm, and the Essex Police Museum. There are also regular trips to the local park, beach and woods. Children attending after school are able to self-select activities, they particularly enjoy using their imaginations in role play and creative activities. Children are also encouraged to complete some homework with sensitive support from the childminder.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children are happy, contented and secure within the home; they settle into the environment and activities quickly as the childminder effectively supports children. Children work hard at completing self-chosen activities, for example, puzzles and craft activities, as a result they are developing positive dispositions towards their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play and learning. They have excellent opportunities to use a range of mark- making tools both during free play and during focus activities, there are also ongoing opportunities for children to phonetically learn sounds and letter recognition. Children have free access to an extensive range of books that are age- appropriate developing an early appreciation of books and stories. Children's experiences of problem solving, reasoning and numeracy are promoted through daily routines and planned focussed activities; this includes counting while on local

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

trips out, during snack and meal times and spontaneous play. There are a wide range of opportunities for children to learn about the natural world, local community and historical facts, for example, participating in a Native American Day at Hyde Hall. Children also learn about life-cycles and how to care for the natural environment such as, making fat balls for birds. There are excellent opportunities for children to participate in an extensive range of creative activities; this includes core activities such as, sand, water and sticking and additional art and craft linked with themes and festivals, for example, Rangoli patterns, head dress for native Americans and World Hello Day. Children have excellent opportunities to develop their physical skills as they have daily access to the outdoor play area and indoor play centres.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Safeguarding, health and well-being is an outstanding aspect of the childminding, as the childminder has an excellent understanding of her role in the promotion of children's health and the protection of children. The premises are effectively planned, and are secure, both indoors and outside. Comprehensive daily written risk assessments are in place and risk assessments for each type of outings are undertaken. Clear fire evacuation procedures are in place, there is a written fire evacuation plan and fire exits within the home are clearly identified. Children develop healthy eating habits because they have a choice of different fruit and vegetables, such as bananas, grapes and cheese at snack time. All children are able to independently help themselves to drinks, ensuring that they remain hydrated during the day. All food is freshly prepared, ensuring that meals and snacks are low in salt and sugar content. Menus are on display and are reviewed

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

regularly, considering both parents' and children's comments. Children's positive behaviour is highly valued and inclusion is successfully promoted through daily routines and all planned activities. Children are wellbehaved and enjoy very close and effective relationships with the childminder and other family members. The home environment has been successfully created as the childminder is highly skilled at providing an inclusive environment and promoting children's participation within all areas of the provision. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.8

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.

p.8