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 202666 Inspection date 05/06/2009 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 1997. She lives with her two children aged 13 and 10 years in Chelmsford. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house 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 takes children to the library and to the park. The childminder has regular links with other local childminders.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding eleven children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. One of the children 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 ground 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 good. The childminder uses her well- developed knowledge of each child's individual needs, likes and dislikes to provide them with a stimulating and interesting childcare service. Their unique requirements are effectively met within a caring and inclusive environment. Children are safe and secure indoors and when they participate in outings as the childminder effectively risk assesses their environment. Children participate in a good range of activities which promotes all areas of learning. Processes for thorough self-evaluation and developing links with other settings are currently being developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend opportunities for parents and others across different settings to share what they know about the child and become involved in identifying the next steps in their learning and development  ensure self evaluation clearly identifies specific areas for future improvements in practice, and the impact on outcomes for children and involve parents and children in this process. 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 an experienced childminder who uses her many years of experience to provide children with a stable and caring childminding provision. She shows commitment to updating her childcare knowledge through training courses and has taken on board the many changes introduced by the EYFS.

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provision

Well presented records and documentation provide the childminder with relevant information about the children. The information is regularly reviewed and updated with any changes in the children's lives. Effectively written policies and procedures support the childminder's practises. The childminder is developing systems for evaluating her provision to enable her to identify areas for improvement; however, at present this process does not involve parents and children effectively. Links between the parents and childminder are strong and the childminder is beginning to extend these links to other settings working within the EYFS.

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provision

Children are effectively protected as the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of her responsibility to safeguard the children in her care. All adults within the premises are suitably vetted and the childminder ensures that children are always in her supervision. The home is kept safe and secure as the childminder carries out daily checks of the premises. Clear and well-presented risk assessments for outings ensure that children are safe when they leave the childminder's home.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's learning, development and welfare is effectively promoted through the childminder's clear policies and practices. Children have good opportunities to gain a sound understanding about keeping themselves healthy and safe as they follow the childminder's clear directions and guidance. They understand the importance of handwashing before they eat meals and after they have used the toilet. The enter lively discussions about food and which foods are good for them. Older children participate in the preparation of their after-school snack, making choices over the fillings for their sandwiches. Children enjoy being fit and active as they make good use of the childminder's garden and local parks to run, climb and join in with physical games.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play and learn in a welcoming and child-friendly environment. The childminder's home affords a good amount of clear floor space for children to extend their games, as well as a large dining table for games or creative activities. Children safely access the toys and equipment which is stored in low level cupboards and drawers.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are settled and comfortable in the childminder's care, they approach her with ease and enjoy each other's company. The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the children's interests and fosters these wherever possible through discussions and activities. The childminder is committed to meeting each child's individual needs in a welcoming and inclusive provision. Children's differing requirements and home backgrounds are celebrated through discussions based This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 around caring for each other. Parents are suitably informed about their children's day and encouraged to view their developmental achievements. Links with other settings providing for the EYFS are beginning to be encouraged by the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are active and enthusiastic. They enjoy their time with the childminder making good use of the resources, equipment and computer games within her home. They chat confidently together, sharing stories about their day at school. They enjoy looking at books and use them to extend their interests and learning in a particular subject. Well chosen books from the library about insects enables the children to extend the 'bug-hunt' activity they participated in on a previous day. Children enjoy participating in creative activities and self-select resources from a selection within the childminder's home as well as from more extensive equipment which is stored in a small shed at the end of the garden. Children are keen computer fans and take turns to work through various levels of the games. The childminder is developing her system for observing children's progress and recording this systematically. She uses her observations to plan future activities

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

based on the children's interests and suggestions. 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? 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: 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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