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 EY377407 Inspection date 09/02/2009 Inspector S Campbell

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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 partner and two children aged two and four in a two bedroom first floor flat, with no lift access in Rainham, Essex, the London borough of Barking and Dagenham. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, except the main bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and of these, two may be in the early years age group. The childminder currently has one child in the early years age group on roll. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The family have one dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The children are cared for in a caring and welcoming environment where they are happy and comfortable in their surroundings. Although the children have access to an appropriate range of resources to support their learning the childminder is not fully secure in her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, which is necessary to ensure children are effectively supported while at the setting. The childminder works well in partnership with parents to promote an inclusive environment for all children. Since registration the childminder has not attended an approved local authority course, but she demonstrates commitment to further updating her knowledge and understanding through training, for example observation, planning and assessment.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop resources to promote positive images of race, culture, gender and disabilities  further develop knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework to ensure children’s learning and development is effectively supported  further develop procedures to ensure the accurate hours of children’s attendance are documented  further develop the procedures for complaints to include the contact details  further develop procedures to ensure written parental consent is obtained for taking children out on public transport and a full risk assessment of outings is carried out  further develop systems to ensure fire evacuation procedures are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 documented

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 attend an approved local authority training course (Qualifications, training, knowledge and skills) (also applies to the childcare register) 09/03/2009

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provision

Since registration, the childminder has successfully completed a first aid course, enabling her to appropriately care for children should they sustain a minor injury while in her care. The childminder is committed to updating her skills and knowledge through regular training. However, she has not completed a training course within six months of registration and this is a breach of welfare requirements. Most required documentation is in place and well maintained, with the exception of accurate recording of children's hours of attendance. The childminder has implemented an information pack for parents, which includes the complaint procedure. However, procedures have yet to be further developed to ensure contact details are included, should parents wish to make a complaint.

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provision

The childminder has begun to self evaluate her practice and has clearly identified some areas for improvement, such as further developing her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS), in order to effectively support children’s learning and development. The organisation of the day enables the childminder to support all children well. She regularly shares information with parents about children’s progress and they are given access to children’s progress reports which includes photos of their activities.

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provision

The organisation of the day enables children take part in both active and quieter activities. The children are well supported during the day, which promotes their safety. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of keeping themselves safe, because they regularly practice emergency evacuation procedures. However, systems have yet to be developed to ensure these procedures are documented. The children’s welfare is safeguarded because the childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. The children’s welfare is further promoted while at the setting because the childminder carries out regular risk assessments. When out on routine outings, the childminder ensures essential records and equipment, such as children's emergency contact details and a first aid box are taken. This ensures she is able to act quickly in the event of an emergency. However, written parental consent has not been obtained for taking children out

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provision

on public transport and detailed risk assessments for outings have yet be fully developed. 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

The children are steadily making progress in their learning and development. The children have access to a range of resources that are age appropriate, in order to support their learning. The childminder carries out some observations, which clearly identify children’s achievements and some basic planning takes place to ensure children take part in both adult led and child initiated activities. However, observations, planning and assessments have yet to be further developed to effectively support children’s learning and track their progress towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports children well to promote their independence, for example they are able to feed themselves with finger foods and resources are readily accessible, enabling them to make informed decisions about their play. Throughout the day the children receive lots of cuddles and they happily cuddle up to the childminder and fall asleep in her arms. This demonstrates positive attachments. Through planned topics the children are developing an understanding of different cultures, for example, by celebrating Chinese New Year and trying different foods. However, there are few resources on offer which promote positive images to further develop children’s understanding of the similarities, differences and the wider world.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children’s individual needs are appropriately met because the childminder has gathered some written and verbal information about children’s starting points, allowing her to build on what children already know. This further promotes an inclusive environment. Through practical activities the childminder promotes children’s language development well, for example reading stories and singing nursery rhymes. The childminder plans a range of both indoor and outdoor activities to ensure children’s play and learning is varied. The children regularly go out on trips to Kids Space, an adventure soft play area and the local park, which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. The children benefit from a healthy diet and information about children’s food intake is regularly shared with parents. The childminder ensures required documentation is shared with parents, for example accident and medication records. This further promotes continuity of care. Overall,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the children are cared for in a safe environment because appropriate safety measures are in place allowing children to play and explore comfortably. 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? 3 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? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report ((Qualifications, training, knowledge and skills) 09/03/2009 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.

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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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