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 560137 Inspection date 03/03/2009 Inspector Patricia Mary Champion

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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 1998. She lives with her husband and two children aged 16 and 12 years. They live in a house in a residential area within walking distance of schools and shops in Chelmsford, Essex. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding six children in the early years age group on a part- time basis. The childminder has two assistants who occasionally work with her. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family has a dog, a cat and two guinea pigs as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and takes children to the local park and library.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are sensitively cared for by an experienced childminder in a welcoming family environment. Interesting activities are offered that link broadly to the areas of learning within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder has established helpful communication links with parents to ensure that she has all the necessary information to provide for their children's individual needs. The essential documentation that promotes children's welfare and safety is mostly in place. The childminder evaluates her practice and has identified clear targets for further improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that parents consistently sign consent agreements and medication records  use observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and to plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure all people aged 16 years and over, and living on the premises, complete appropriate checks (Suitable people) (this also applies to the compulsory 03/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 part of the Childcare Register)  conduct a risk assessment and review it regularly - at least once a year or more frequently where the need arises (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (this also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register). 03/04/2009

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provision

The childminder carefully considers the welfare and safety of the children and her procedures support her caring and inclusive practice. The essential childminding training and a first aid course has been attended. The childminder is well aware of her responsibilities to safeguard children’s welfare and the adults that come into contact with the children have been checked and cleared. Since the last inspection one of the childminder's own children has reached 16 years of age. However, the appropriate vetting procedures have not yet been completed to fully safeguard children. Although the childminder routinely checks her premises to ensure that children do not have access to potential hazards, she has not yet conducted a full risk assessment of the premises and equipment to minimise all potential risks. The childminder has reviewed her practice and is broadly aware of the strengths and areas in which her service needs to improve. She has addressed all previous

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provision

recommendations from the last inspection and consequently, outcomes for children have improved.

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provision

A positive partnership with parents is established. Clear contracts are signed by the parents and the childminder gathers personal information about each child to ensure that she knows the children's interests, likes and dislikes. Daily diaries regarding care routines for babies are shared. Accident records are shared and parents sign to say that they understand some of the policies. However, there is potential for misunderstanding because not all parents have signed the necessary consent agreements and medication records. The childminder has not yet implemented written statements in respect of complaints and child protection. Suitable links have been built with other settings that deliver the EYFS. This assists the continuity of care and helps the transition as children move between the childminder, nursery and school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children feel secure because the childminder organises her time to ensure that she spends her working day completely involved with the children. Play space and resources are arranged suitably to meet the children's needs. Toys are rotated to stimulate children's interest. Children are happy and confidently make their wishes known to the childminder, for example, by asking for additional craft resources to extend their play and learning. The childminder understands children’s particular interests and she seeks out resources that she knows that they will enjoy. For example, they visit the library to choose books about horses. The childminder is in the early stages of compiling development records for the children. She is not yet This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 consistently using her observations and assessments of children's progress and achievements to identify learning priorities and to plan relevant and motivating

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures that her practice is fully inclusive. She gathers information about children's individual needs so that she can provide the best possible care. Children develop self-esteem and respect for others. They look at books and play with dolls that reflect positive images of culture and ethnicity. This encourages children to learn about the wider world and the environment they live in. Children respond well to the childminder's expectations for good behaviour.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is attentive in dealing with children's needs and sensitively cares for them if they feel unwell. Children learn about the importance of good hygiene routines and the healthy eating plan is supported by parents. Children learn about road safety and how to use scissors safely and responsibly. Plenty of opportunities are provided to promote children's physical development. They visit soft play centres and nearby parks. Outings are also made to enhance children's knowledge of animals, for example, when they feed the ducks or visit Marsh Farm. Children particularly enjoy learning how to care for pets such as the guinea pigs. 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

 implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 03/04/2009  implement a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 03/04/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability of persons to care for, or be in regular contact with, children) 03/04/2009  take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 03/04/2009 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 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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