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 590095 Inspection date 18/06/2009 Inspector Sarah Johnson

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and 15 years in the village of Great Horksley, on the outskirts of Colchester in Essex. The whole of the childminder's house, with the exception of two bedrooms on the first floor, is used for childminding and a secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities. The property is accessed via the front entrance which has a low step and there are toilet facilities on the ground floor. The family has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of five children under eight years may attend the setting at any one time, and of these, no more than three children may be in the early years age range. There are currently six children attending on a part-time basis. Three of these children are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) age range. Children live in the local area. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years, both before and after school, and during school holidays.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder escorts children to and from the local primary school, and attends toddler groups and playgroup sessions with the children on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are supported to make sound progress in their learning and development in an inclusive and very safe environment. Important information is gathered from parents, enabling the childminder to understand and meet each child’s individual needs and personal routines. Children develop strong bonds with the childminder and are relaxed and confident her care. All children are supported to participate in the activities offered, most of which are planned with their developmental needs in mind. The childminder has completed a generally sound level of self-evaluation to enable her to make improvements to the service she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 use a wider range of quality improvement tools to develop the self-evaluation processes further  identify the next steps in children's learning clearly in the children's developmental records, and ensure these are systematically linked to the aspects of learning and development in the EYFS.

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further?

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

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further?

 make a record of risk assessments clearly stating 02/07/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation).

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provision

Children are safeguarded effectively from harm and neglect. The childminder has good knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and has developed clear procedures for dealing with any concerns that may arise. These procedures are set out clearly in the childminder's written safeguarding policy, which is shared with parents. Children are cared for in a very safe and secure environment where the childminder ensures that children are closely supervised at all times. Thorough risk assessments are carried out in all areas of the home and garden to fully minimise any potential risks to the children's safety, however, these are not fully recorded to meet the EYFS requirement.

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provision

Children experience good levels of continuity in their care. This is because the childminder develops positive partnerships with parents and there are good systems in place for sharing information. For example, the childminder takes time to understand children's individual needs and the routines they follow at home through discussions with parents during their initial settling-in sessions. Daily diaries are also completed for younger children to ensure their parents are kept informed about activities and their children's progress at the setting.

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provision

The childminder is generally reflective in her approach and is willing to trial any new ideas that she gathers from reading early years publications and attending occasional training courses. Through undertaking a basic self-evaluation of her practice, the childminder has considered the overall quality of the service she provides and has identified some aspects that she plans to develop, such as increasing the availability of arts and craft activities. As yet, the childminder has not utilised a wider range of tools for self-evaluation such as questionnaires for parents or the Ofsted self-evaluation form, and therefore, priorities for improvement are not as accurately targeted as they could be.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children form close, positive relationships with the childminder. Consequently, they develop a good sense of belonging and quickly become settled and confident in the childminder's home. Space is organised well, using the lounge and garden where children can independently access the selection of toys and resources on offer. For example, children have plenty of space to spread out as they play with the imaginary kitchen props in the lounge. They are imaginative and their play is supported as the childminder joins in when they offer her ice creams and pour her drinks from the teapot. Children have daily opportunities to be active outside in the fresh air and their physical experiences are extended through outings to the park and indoor soft play centres. Younger children demonstrate sound concentration skills as they share books with the childminder. They point to the different animals 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 the pictures, making appropriate sounds and actions when they spot a monkey. Children's social skills are promoted as the childminder plans weekly visits to local toddler groups and playgroup sessions, where children begin to develop skills in turn-taking and sharing.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder makes ongoing notes of her observations of children's development. This information is collated in each child's daily diary, providing a general map of their progress. In practice the childminder's observations are generally used effectively to identify the next steps in children's learning, however, these next steps are not always clearly recorded in each child's diary and are not sufficiently linked to the aspects of learning and development in the EYFS. The childminder has good strategies to provide effective support for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities such as working in close partnership with parents and proactively following advice from outside professionals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are beginning to learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them of the things they can do to stay safe. For example, she talks to them about road safety whilst out walking and reminds them of why it would be unsafe to climb on the trellis in the garden. The childminder has a calm and positive approach with the children, ensuring they are relaxed and encouraged to behave well. They are supported to understand consistent boundaries as the childminder records any concerns about children's behaviour and agrees on the best way to manage this with parents. Healthy snacks of fruit and freshly prepared meals are provided each day and the childminder is creative in providing vegetables when children are reluctant to eat these. Younger children are settled to sleep comfortably in a travel cot situated in the lounge, ensuring they are always closely monitored. Children's health is promoted further as the childminder

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

models appropriate hygiene practices to minimise the spread of infection and has good routines to ensure the environment is kept very clean and hygienic. 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? 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: 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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