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 EY261539 Inspection date 06/05/2009 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 two children, aged 12 years and eight years, in a house in Heybridge, near Maldon. There is small step to access the premises. The whole of the property is registered for childminding activities but children predominantly play downstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six 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 three children in this age group, most of whom attend part-time. The provision is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder offers care to children aged over five to 11 years.

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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 and attends local toddler groups. She also takes the 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. Children are offered an excellent variety of play and learning experiences and consequently make very good progress through the Early Years Foundation stage (EYFS). The childminder provides a safe, welcoming and stimulating environment where children thrive. She has a good knowledge of the children's individual needs and most documentation is in place to ensure children's welfare. The childminder establishes and maintains positive and trusting partnerships with parents to ensure continuity of children's care, learning and development. She has developed effective methods for monitoring and promoting children's progress towards the early learning goals but does not systematically undertake self-evaluation of her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 record details of evacuation drills in a log book, including any problems encountered and how they were resolved  develop a method of systematic self-evaluation to highlight strengths and identify an areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a record of risk assessments undertaken of the premises and review as required and carry out a risk assessment for each type of outing. (Suitable 31/05/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 premises environment and equipment)

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provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of child development and how children learn. All her training is up-to-date and she ensures that she is well-informed of current practice. She is very attentive to child safety and has made her home very safe for young children to play freely. However, risk assessments for premises and for different types of outings are not recorded. Emergency evacuation routines are effectively practiced with the children but no details are recorded. The childminder has a thorough understanding of safeguarding children and has attended relevant training. She is clear of her role and responsibilities and knows what action to take if she had concerns about a child. She reflects upon her practice to make ongoing improvements has addressed the recommendations from her previous inspection. However, she does not have a system of self-evaluation to highlight strengths and identify areas for further improvement.

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provision

The childminder organises her home, resources and routines well to meet children's individual needs and consequently children are happy, well-behaved and relaxed in her home. She has a positive and inclusive attitude and approach to diversity, which is reflected in her policies and some of the resources and activities. The childminder develops positive and trusting partnerships with parents. She encourages frequent two-way communication to ensure each child's individual needs are met and to promote continuity of care. Daily diaries are maintained for infants and toddlers and shared with the parents. She maintains organised documentation and has written policies. The childminder gathers relevant details about the children and has written consents, to ensure children are cared for according to their parents' wishes. Reference letters from parents are very positive about her care of their children and the activities offered.

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provision

The childminder has established a clear method of observing and assessing children's progress in the EYFS, clearly linked to the six areas of learning and effectively planning for the next steps in their learning and development. Each child has an Early Learning Record folder and parents' contributions are included. 'An All About Me section', initially completed by the childminder, gives a starting point to work from. Thereafter, observations are completed on a regular basis to monitor and promote children’s individual progress. The childminder does flexible long, medium and short term plans, which are influenced and guided by her observations and children's interests, to promote the next step for each child.

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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 freely explore the open-plan living areas. They are confident and relaxed and communicate easily with the childminder, one another and visitors. Children form positive relationships and are considerate and caring towards one another. For example, older children competently help feed the babies their lunch, under the close supervision of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder, who explains to wait until each mouthful is finished. They make their own choices from the easily accessible toys and play purposefully with the broad selection of good quality resources. Children’s independence is encouraged as they try to put on their own shoes before going outside and they know to put rubbish in the bin without prompting. Babies are given a spoon at meal times and gradually begin to attempt to feed themselves.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plays with the children at their level and engages with them to focus their attention and support their learning. For example, children enjoy action-reward toys and shape sorters on the floor. The childminder skilfully and naturally uses opportunities as they arise through play, to promote and extend children’s learning and vocabulary. For example, she uses numbers, counting and positional language whilst playing hide-and-seek outside with the children. She enables them to make their own choices and decisions, for example, choosing which fruit they would like for snack and whether they want it cut up and peeled.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder encourages learning through fun activities and children benefit from hands-on experiences. All children are enabled to participate at their own level. For example, they eagerly explore the sand in the outside tray which is easy accessible to babies and toddlers. They also have opportunities to experiment with paint and to do sticking. They begin to make discoveries about the natural world by planting, growing and caring for sunflower seeds. Regular visits to the surrounding countryside and local places of interest, such as the local canal and river, enable children to directly encounter nature, for example, feeding the ducks. Festivals and celebrations are occasionally incorporated into activities and children have opportunities to explore and appreciate diversity, which is reflected in some of the books and resources available.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise in the safe, well- equipped garden. They delight in jumping on the trampoline and have fun with the play tunnel and play house. They also visit local parks and play areas where they develop skills and confidence on larger play equipment. Children learn to keep themselves safe through reminders from the childminder and regularly practised routines, such as road safety. Babies have freedom and space to move around and are able to support themselves holding on to furniture. Action-reward toys promote their physical skills and exploration. Children develop an understanding of good eating habits as the childminder provides healthy and nutritious snacks and meals. They are mostly encouraged to wash their hands, for example, after toileting and before meals and snacks. 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? 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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