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 EY303688 Inspection date 11/06/2009 Inspector Lynn Denise Smith

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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 husband and two children aged four years and 18 months in Brentwood. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and the bathroom and nursery on the first floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the library and to the park. The childminder has regular links with other local childminder's.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding one child, who attends on a part-time basis. This child is within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 12 years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

A low step to the main door provides access to the premises. The bathroom is situated on the first floor. The childminder provides parents with a written prospectus which provides them with details about her service.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. Extensive knowledge of the children's individual needs enables the childminder to promote their welfare, learning and development to a very high standard. Children are settled and comfortable in the childminders care and actively participate in a wide range of well-planned and stimulating activities. The children's learning environment is interesting, easily accessible and offers fun and enjoyable play opportunities to all children. Parents play an extremely active role in their children's learning as they are provided with a daily account of what their children have been doing and what they have learned from their experiences. The childminder actively promotes inclusion and effectively works with parents and other settings to ensure all children's needs are well-met. Continuous self-evaluation and monitoring of the setting enables the childminder to strive for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the outdoor area to incorporate all six areas of learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children are cared for by a proficient and professional childminder. The childminder effectively meets the needs of all children through her clear understanding of their requirements and through her knowledge of delivering the EYFS. She constantly updates her childcare knowledge through training and discussions with other childminders. Courses the childminder has completed include four units of her Level 3 qualification in Home-Based Childcare, training in the Birth to Three Matters framework, Planning and Observations, Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCO) training and Child Protection. She holds a current first aid qualification and has gained places on a number of other relevant training courses.

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provision

Extremely clear and well-presented records and documentation are in place and are regularly reviewed to ensure that the childminder has current information about the children in her care. Well-presented written policies and procedures support the childminder's practices and are effectively shared with parents. The childminder's superb website provides parents with extensive information about the childminder's services as well as a secure page on their individual child.

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provision

Children are extremely well-safeguarded as the childminder demonstrates excellent knowledge about keeping children safe and protected. Robust procedures are in place to ensure all adults who come into contact with the children are suitably vetted and cleared. The childminder's home is regularly risk assessed and children actively participate in emergency evacuation procedures. Procedures to develop links with other settings providing for the EYFS are in place. The childminder effectively identifies areas for improvement through her rigorous self-evaluation system.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and development is superbly promoted through the childminder's clear practices and procedures. Their individual learning processes are identified by the childminder using her childcare knowledge and knowledge about each child to assess the best approach to their care. Children enthusiastically learn about keeping safe and healthy as they follow the childminder's clear directions. They enjoy being fit and active as they play in the childminder's garden on a regular basis and visit local parks and playgrounds. Children sit together to eat a range of home cooked, nutritious meals prepared from raw ingredients by the childminder. They make choices over their snacks and meals and are always encouraged to take the healthier options.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The learning environment is made bright, welcoming and attractive to children as the childminder effectively organises her home to meet the children's individual needs. Children move freely around the ground floor of the childminder's home which affords a good amount of clear floor space in which to play. The rear garden is easily accessible and provides exciting and safe play opportunities. The childminder has recently renovated this area and has plans to further develop it to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 provide greater opportunities for learning across all six areas.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are treated with respect within this childminder's home and are encouraged to become an active member of the family, participating in everyday activities such as shopping and tidying up. The childminder recognises that children learn through a wide variety of experiences and endeavours to make all activities opportunities to extend their thinking. Children are well behaved and fully understand the childminder's clear rules and boundaries. Parents are very actively involved in their children's care and learning as they are encouraged to share relevant information with the childminder about their children's starting points. They are also provided with excellent daily information about what their children are doing through verbal communication and through information inputted onto their personal page of the childminder's clear and well presented website. Children's differing needs are superbly acknowledged and met in an inclusive and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

caring environment. The childminder has cared for a number of children in the past with learning difficulties and who speak English as an additional language. She works effectively with parents and other agencies to promote all children's welfare and to enable them to meet their potential.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have fun at this childminder's home. They enjoy the warm interaction they receive from her and actively participate in the exciting range of adult-led and child-initiated activities on offer to them. They safely self-select toys and resources from the interesting selection available. Children's progress and achievements are observed and assessed by the childminder who presents their learning journeys in a clear and interesting manner. She uses the information from her observations to effectively plan future activities for every child based on their interests. Children participate in activities which promote all six areas of learning, for example, they enjoy looking at books and listening to stories. They have good opportunities to make marks for example with water and paintbrushes. They are settled and content and concentrate well on their chosen task. Children enjoy expressing themselves in a range of ways, for example, through music, crafts and role play.

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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? 1 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? 1

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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?

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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: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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