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 EY259607 Inspection date 20/03/2009 Inspector Sandra Daniels

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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 has been registered since 2003. She lives with her partner and three children aged 15, 12 and 10 years in Waltham Abbey. There are parks, a library and shops within walking distance. The closest station is Waltham Cross and the nearest school is Waltham Holly Cross. The whole of the house is registered but it is only the ground floor which is used for minding purposes. There is a downstairs cloakroom for children to use. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a cat as a pet. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight and is currently minding two children each aged one year. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children enjoy attending the provision and their activities help them make progress in their learning and development. The childminder provides a safe and welcoming environment and seeks information from parents so that she is able to support children's individual needs. Children of all ages are fully included in the life of the setting. The childminder is keen to continually improve her provision. She has started to identify areas for development, such as the observational assessment of children's learning, and is planning to attend additional training to improve her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements in the EYFS and carry out observational assessments on children  develop the self-evaluation process to support continuous improvement. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 complete an action plan showing how you will obtain a suitable first aid qualification (Qualifications, training, knowledge and skills) (also applies to the both parts of the Childcare Register) 20/04/2009  conduct a risk assessment of the premises and for outings and review it regularly (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 20/04/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder organises the majority of her provision to ensure the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are met. However, some weaknesses are noted with aspects of health and safety and in regard to her ability to deal with accidents and ill-health effectively, as she has not yet conducted a risk assessment and does not have a current first aid qualification. Required checks have been completed on adults in the home and working with children, which ensures they are suitable. The childminder has satisfactory knowledge and understanding of issues that would cause concern and is clear of procedures to take to safeguard children. She has completed training in this area and has a suitable policy which is shared with parents. All other required documentation is in place and maintained to a satisfactory standard.

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provision

Children's individual needs are met as the childminder develops working relationships with parents and carers and ensures documentation accurately records children’s personal requirements. They are fully informed about the setting as the childminder supplies parents with a number of policies outlining her work practice and shares verbal information with them on a daily basis. Processes to self-evaluate and monitor the service and delivery of the EYFS are currently being established to build on work practice for improvement, with further training courses booked for attendance.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The setting is organised sufficiently well to ensure children are provided with a variety of experiences on a daily basis. For example, children make marks on the 'aqua-draw', attempt to put together jigsaws, and enjoy role play as they pack their things into a case and care for their dolls. Appropriate interaction between the childminder and the children enables them to feel secure, which fosters trusting relationships and helps them to enjoy their learning. These relationships extend to the childminder's family. Children make progress in their learning and development because the childminder knows them well and she has a reasonable understanding of how children learn. She supports children well in developing their self-esteem and confidence so that they will try new activities by themselves. Children's natural curiosity is promoted broadly well, for example, as they explore musical activity centres, pressing buttons and listening to the different sounds they

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

make. Children are happy and content and appropriate systems are in place to support children's individual needs, for example, the childminder gathers useful information about children before they start and the planning of their play is basically linked to their interests. However, because plans, observations and assessments are very basic and contain limited information it is not clear how the activities offered help children reach their full potential or ensure they make appropriate progress towards the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder takes sufficient steps to promote children's health and safety. She encourages healthy eating and ensures children take part in physical play to develop confidence and control of their bodies as they push walkers, sit and ride This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on toys and handle smaller objects such as bricks to build towers. Children learn about what is dangerous and are beginning to know how to keep themselves safe as the childminder talks to them about safe practice. For example, how to tidy away some of the toys so they do not trip and fall. Children are beginning to understand the need to share and how to be kind to each other to prevent children from being hurt. The childminder is calm consistent and respectful and children are beginning to follow her example. Praise is freely given ensuring that children develop confidence and self-esteem and understand when they have done well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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 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 (Suitability to care for children, or have regular contact with children) 20/04/2009  conduct a risk assessment of the premises and equipment and review it regularly (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 20/04/2009

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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 (Suitability to care for children, or have regular contact with children) 20/04/2009  take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 20/04/2009 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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