Childminder in EssexOfsted inspection, 23 Jun 2009

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 EY303148 Inspection date 23/06/2009 Inspector Jane Davenport

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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 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 2005. She lives with her two daughters aged 21 and 14 and her 16-year-old son in a four bedroom house, which is situated in the Chingford area of the London borough of Waltham Forest. The whole of the ground floor of the premises and the first floor toilet and bathroom are used for childminding and a fully enclosed garden is available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight at any one time and is currently minding nine children, five of whom are in the early years age group, all on a part-time basis. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is a member of the Bluebell Childminding Network and the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder acknowledges and responds to the individuality of the children through the care she offers and has a secure relationship with parents. She has a range of documentation and procedures in place to support children's health and welfare, although some required details are not yet included. The childminder generally supports children's learning well, although she has not yet fully secured her knowledge and understanding about the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder has recently attended training to extend her knowledge regarding making meaningful observations of the children in her care and has ensured that all recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed.

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further?

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

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further?

 review all policies to reflect the new Early Years Foundation Stage framework develop the assessment system to make links between observations and the six areas of learning; clarify how children are progressing towards the early learning goals and ensure their next steps in learning are identified.

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further?

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

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further?

 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint (Safeguarding and welfare) (Also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 10/07/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is very committed to improving her knowledge and practice, and thoughtful self-evaluation has helped her to identify areas for improvement. However, although she is able to explain clearly what she needs to put in place, this has not yet been fully implemented. For example, the childminder is generally well organised and has a fairly full set of written policies and procedures, but some do not yet reflect the new Early Years Foundation Stage framework and she does not currently have a written complaints policy which she shares with parents. This is a breach of a regulation.

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provision

An inclusive and welcoming service is provided for all children. Children play in safety as the childminder ensures they are well supervised and that adults who are not checked do not have unsupervised access to them. She allows children a balance of being independent whilst helping them, at the same time, develop an understanding about how to keep themselves safe. For example, she talks to them about not throwing the dry sand about in case it gets into their eyes. Children are further protected by the childminder's good understanding of the different types of child abuse, the importance of recording and reporting concerns and her extensive risk assessments of the home and venues for outings.

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provision

The childminder builds good relationships with parents and carers as she shares her policies and procedures with them. She has an informative notice board for parents to view, which includes her certificates, emergency evacuation procedure and some useful childcare leaflets. The childminder provides time for daily discussions regarding what children have done whilst in her care and completes written information sheets on the children she minds. This approach creates a beneficial two way flow of information enabling children's individual needs to be addressed.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. She provides positive support and encouragement to help children achieve, which promotes their confidence and self-esteem. She acts as a positive role model to the children and encourages them to share and take turns from an early age. There is a good emphasis on children's personal and social development as they are encouraged to help to tidy up and choose their own activities. Children show an interest in the world in which they live, for example, noticing the aeroplanes flying overhead and mini beasts in the garden. Young children's language development is supported well by lots of conversation with the childminder while they are playing. She effectively extends their vocabulary by introducing new words to them and offering praise when they repeat them, and children particularly enjoy matching pictures with the spell and learn cards, picking out favourites such as the balloons and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's detailed knowledge of their individual needs. This enables them to build strong, trusting relationships so that, from a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 young age, they become confident, independent and curious to try out new activities and experiences. The childminder's home is well organised to give children the freedom to move around to take part in different activities. For example, they enjoy accessing the resources set out indoors and also have free access to explore activities and natural materials in the garden. These include a sand tray, dinosaurs in a tray of earth, a drawing easel with chalks and various role play equipment. Children progress well in this supportive and accessible environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is very well supported in practice. They learn the importance of a healthy diet as the childminder offers a range of healthy snacks and meals, including wholemeal toast and fresh fruits. Plenty of drinks are available, especially in warm weather. The childminder encourages young children to wear their sun hats and there is a large parasol in one area of the garden to ensure children can play in the shade when it becomes too hot.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is still consolidating her knowledge and understanding of the Statutory Framework and Guidance relating to the EYFS. She understands the requirements of the EYFS in terms of assessment arrangements and has taken lots of lovely photographs of the children involved in various activities and shared these with parents. She has identified that these need to be linked with the children's starting points, observations, the six areas of learning and plans for next steps, however, this is not yet in place. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary 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 10/07/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary 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 10/07/2009

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