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 202839 Inspection date 25/06/2009 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 1989. She lives with her husband in a house in Layer-de-la-Haye, in Essex. There is one small step to access to the premises. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding activities but children predominantly play in the kitchen dining area. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has no pets.

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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 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. The childminder supports children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and children for whom English is an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She takes and collects children to and from local school and pre-schools, attends a local childminding group and local toddler groups. She also takes 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 outstanding. Children are offered a delightful variety of play and learning experiences, both in the home and on outings. Consequently they make excellent progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder provides a welcoming and stimulating environment where children flourish as individuals. Exemplary documentation and safety requirements are in place to ensure children's welfare. The childminder maintains very positive and trusting partnerships with parents to ensure continuity of children's care, learning and development. She has developed very effective methods for monitoring and promoting each child's progress towards the early learning goals and reflects on her practice to make ongoing improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing risk assessments further to maintain a record of when checks are carried out, date of review and any action taken folllowing a review or incident. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The experienced childminder has a secure knowledge of child development and how children learn through play. She organises her home, time and resources extremely well to support and meet the varying routines and needs of children of different ages and abilities. She has a positive and inclusive attitude and approach to diversity, which is reflected in her practice and policies and in some of the resources and activities. The childminder is conscientious and attentive to child safety and has written comprehensive risk assessment checklists for outings and her home, although the frequency of the premises checks is not recorded.

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provision

The childminder ensures that all required training is up-to-date, with certificates neatly presented in a folder. Knowledge and skills gained through training and reading are applied to her daily practice to enhance the care of the children. The childminder ensures that she is well informed of current childcare issues and requirements and she is considering further training to enhance her personal and professional development. She reflects on her practice and proactively makes ongoing improvements. The childminder has a thorough understanding of safeguarding children and has attended relevant training. She has a robust policy, is clear of her role and responsibilities to protect children and knows what action to take if she had concerns about a child.

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provision

The childminder develops very positive and trusting partnerships with parents and their comments and feedback are welcomed. 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 and shared with the parents to keep them informed and updated of their child's day. She maintains excellently organised documentation, including clear and comprehensive written policies which are shared with parents. Essential details are gathered about the children to promote their well-being. She has signed, written parental consents in place, to ensure children are cared for according to their parents' wishes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's warm care and interaction is fun and relaxed. The childminder knows the children very well as individuals and is attentive and responsive to them. She plays with the children at their level and engages with them to support their learning and enhance their enjoyment. For example, babies laugh with delight as she expressively plays 'peep-bo' with them through a cardboard tube. Children’s behaviour is very good as they are absorbed with the interesting range of resources available and respond well to the childminder’s calm manner and clear and reasonable boundaries. They gain independence as they make their own choices and selections from the neatly presented range of toys available. An excellent variety of good quality toys, books and games, which are rotated to offer different selections, provides ongoing interest and progression for the children as they get older and more able.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the EYFS and has written an This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outline explaining the areas of learning and the outcomes for children, which is shared with parents. She has established a succinct but very effective method of observing and assessing children's progress towards the early learning goals. Each child’s progress is clearly recorded in her EYFS book and individual folders. Relevant observations clearly identify the next steps in children’s learning and development and are used effectively to aid planning. They are regularly shared with parents, who are invited to make their own contributions. The childminder has a projected plan of activities and topics covering the areas of learning, based on her knowledge of the individual children. These plans are very flexible to accommodate and follow ideas and interests or experiences the children have and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

there is an excellent balance of child-led and adult-suggested activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder embraces diversity and all children are welcomed and valued. She works closely with parents to meet any particular needs a child may have. Children of all ages are included and enabled to try activities. They learn through a wealth of fun activities and benefit from many hands-on experiences. For example, creative play such as craft activities enable them to explore a range of textures such as glitter, paint and playdough. Babies delight in exploring a treasure bag full of intriguing and multi-sensory items such as a real lemon, a home-made shaker, saucepan lid and containers of varying sizes. The contents are regularly varied and adapted for older children. Children's imaginative play is well supported with dressing up clothes and role play props. Small world toys such as play people and cars and garage also support children’s imagination. Children regularly explore their local community and the natural world around them. For example, they visit

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

local toddler groups and places of interest, such as an animal farm, and enjoy planting and caring for their own runner beans.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they walk to and from school or play in the garden. They also visit local parks and adventure play areas where they develop skills and competence on larger play equipment. Babies have freedom and space to move around and develop their physical coordination and confidence as they take their first steps. Children’s parents provide their main meals and the childminder is vigilant to ensure food is stored and reheated to the correct temperatures. She maintains an excellent standard of hygiene to promote children’s health and wellbeing. Healthy options are promoted and the childminder encourages children to develop an understanding of good eating habits, as she provides healthy snacks, such as fruit, cheese or breadsticks. Drinks are readily available, ensuring children are well hydrated. 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? 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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