Childminder in EssexOfsted inspection, 7 May 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 EY259346 Inspection date 07/05/2009 Inspector Hazel Meadows

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and three children, aged 14 years, seven years and five years, in a house in Colchester. There is small step to access the premises. Most of the home is used for childminding activities but children predominantly play downstairs. The bathroom is upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a rabbit and a guinea pig.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group, most of whom attend part-time. She also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a relevant early years qualification. She takes and collects children to and from local schools, attends a local childminding group and local toddler groups. She take children to local parks and play areas and to nearby places of interest.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a warm and welcoming, home-from-home environment where children thrive. She knows the children well as individuals and has an inclusive approach, enabling each child to flourish. Children are offered a broad variety of play and learning experiences, both in the home and on outings, and make good progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder is developing clear and effective methods for monitoring and promoting children's progress towards the early learning goals and reflects on her practice to make ongoing improvements. All documentation is organised and well-presented and excellent safety requirements are in place to promote children's welfare. The childminder maintains very positive and trusting partnerships with parents to ensure continuity of children's care, learning and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 revise the method of recording written parental consent for, and administration of, non-prescription medication, to ensure it is clearly documented. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder organises her home, resources and routine well to meet children's individual needs and, consequently, children are happy, well-behaved and relaxed in her home. She takes excellent steps to ensure children are cared for in a clean, safe and secure environment and has clear and thorough written risk assessments for her home and for outings. She has a positive and inclusive attitude and approach to diversity, which is reflected in her policies and some resources and activities. The childminder has a robust knowledge regarding safeguarding children and has attended relevant training. She is clear of her role and responsibilities and knows what action to take if she has concerns about a child. She regularly reflects on her practice and has begun to complete the Ofsted evaluation form to identify strengths and areas for improvement.

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provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of child development and how children learn. She ensures her training is up-to-date and is used in practice to enhance her knowledge and skills. She has established an effective system of observing and assessing children's progress in the EYFS. She uses a variety of written observations, some supported by photographs in a scrapbook, and cross- references the stage each child has achieved under the areas of learning. She is reviewing her system and considering ways to improve it further. Her observations and assessments enable her to effectively identify and plan for the next steps in children's individual learning and development. Children's progress records and scrapbook are shared with parents, whose verbal contributions are welcomed and utilised.

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provision

The childminder develops positive and trusting relationships with parents. She encourages frequent two-way communication to ensure each child's individual needs are met and to promote continuity of care. The childminder has very organised and thorough documentation, which is well-presented and maintained. She gathers relevant, essential details about the children and clearly records any accidents and administration of prescribed medication although the record for non- prescription medications does not have sufficient detail. Clear, written policies are shared with parents, ensuring that practice and procedures are understood.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care and at ease in her home. Child height hooks for their coats help them to feel a sense of belonging and encourage their independence. Interactions between the childminder and children are warm and relaxed. She sensitively supports children who are uncertain and helps them understand the progression of the day by using a visual timetable. This has pictures of key events through the day, such as lunch time or nap time, so children can begin to understand when mummy will return. The childminder offers much positive attention to the children, playing with them at their own level, for example, helping to draw stencil outlines and mould playdough at the table, which helps to focus their play and support their learning. Children enthusiastically explore the range of resources in the front room, where toys are easily accessible This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

in storage boxes on the floor, enabling them to self-select and make their own choices and discoveries. A varied range of puzzles and action reward toys encourage their problem solving and investigative skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder knows each of the children well and successfully builds on their interests and experiences to extend and enhance their learning and enjoyment. She also uses her observations which enable her to plan effectively for individual children, to help them make progress towards the early learning goals. Children have regular opportunities for messy and creative activities, such as sticking and painting. Their efforts are acknowledged and praised by the childminder and examples of their work adorn the kitchen wall, helping them to feel valued. Children are generally very well behaved as they are well occupied and are clear of the reasonable boundaries of acceptable behaviour. The childminder offers clear explanations, according to the children’s level of understanding, to help them learn what is not acceptable and why. The children are offered more attention for positive behaviour and respond well to the childminder’s approach and her

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Imaginative play is well-supported and encouraged with props such as dolls and buggies. There is also a varied selection of 'small-world' characters which subtly reflect variations of age and ability. Children have opportunities to explore the diversity around them through books and activities which recognise festivals such as Chinese New Year, Easter and Mothers Day. They interact with different people on outings, regularly going to local groups, and explore their surrounding community by visits to the local parks, play areas and the zoo. Regular trips are made to the library where children are able to choose their own books, enjoy rhyme times and meet their local police officer. Books are readily available and frequently shared with the children, for example, they enjoy snuggling up with the childminder on the floor whilst she reads a story. The childminder encourages the children to begin to learn about the natural world

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

around them, for example, they look for spring flowers, matching them to photographs, and notice how buds on the trees develop into leaves.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about keeping themselves safe through reminders and clear explanations from the childminder. Road safety is routinely practised on outings and the routine of always crossing at the same safe place re-enforces their understanding. Emergency evacuation routines are practised regularly to ensure all children are familiar with the procedures and not anxious. Good hygiene habits and awareness are promoted through well-known routines, for example, washing hands after messy activities and before eating. Healthy eating is promoted and drinks are readily accessible to the children ensuring they are well hydrated. Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They regularly walk to the local school and, when the weather is fine, go out in the well-equipped garden and to local play areas, developing their physical skills and confidence. They develop finer manipulative skills through doing craft activities, using utensils

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

with playdough, painting and drawing. 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? 1 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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