Childminder, Out-of school day care in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY245543 Inspection date 22/09/2009 Inspector Hazel Meadows

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 11 years, 14 years and 17 years in a house in Colchester. There is level access to the premises and the bathroom is on the first floor. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding activities plus bedroom three but children predominantly play in the lounge diner. 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 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years of age at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range and is currently minding one child, who attends part-time, in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. 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 and holds a relevant early years qualification. She walks children to and from local schools and pre-schools, attends a local childminding group and local toddler groups. She takes children to local parks and play areas and to nearby places of interest.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm, welcoming, home-from-home environment where children are happy and relaxed. They are offered a broad variety of play and learning experiences and make good progress. The childminder has a good understanding of the children's individual needs and maintains very positive and trusting partnerships with parents. She reflects on her practice but does not systematically self-evaluate to highlight strengths and identify areas for improvement. The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) but the omission of some required documentation and health and safety procedures has had an impact on the overall judgement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure written parental consent to seek emergency treatment or advice is obtained at the time of each child's admission. 30/09/2009

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop a method of self evaluation to highlight strengths and identify areas for improvement  develop a clearly defined procedure for emergency evacuation and ensure drills are carried out and details recorded in a log book of any problems encountered and how they were solved  ensure any existing injuries are recorded and shared with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her home, time and resources well to support children and meet their varying routines and needs. She values children’s individuality and has a positive and inclusive attitude and approach to diversity. This is reflected in her practice and policies and some of the resources and activities. The childminder is attentive to child safety and is watchful of the children, ensuring they are aware of basic safety rules, such as no more than one child at a time on the trampoline. She has recently introduced written risk assessments for her home and garden, however, there is no emergency evacuation procedure and no practices are undertaken with the children. The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding children and is clear of her role and responsibilities to protect children. She has not attended recent safeguarding training but has covered elements of it in her recently completed level three qualification . She has a

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the early years provision

thorough written policy to refer to if she had concerns about a child, however, no record is maintained of existing injuries.

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the early years provision

The childminder has recently completed a diploma in pre-school practice through her job at a local pre-school and much of the knowledge gained is transferable to her role as a childminder. She has well organised documentation which is stored in individual folders. She has recently introduced written policies support her childminding, which she intends to share with parents, however, there is no written procedure for dealing with concerns or complaints. The childminder gathers comprehensive details about the children and has most signed parental consents in place, to ensure children are cared for according to their parent’s wishes. However, she has not obtained signed parental consents for two of the children, which is a breach of requirements. She reflects informally on her practice and has addressed most of the recommendations from her previous inspection. However, she has not developed a method of self-evaluation to highlight strengths and identify areas for

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the early years 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 children’s individual needs are met and to promote continuity of care. Comments obtained from parents during the inspection, are positive about the care and information provided and the fun play and learning experiences available for their children. The childminder has also established links with other providers delivering the EYFS and initiated the use of a diary which is shared between the children's teacher, herself and the parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and relaxed in the childminder’s warm care and are at ease in the child-friendly home. Several of the children have been cared for by the childminder for many years and have developed trusting and positive relationships with her and their peers. Children are very polite and considerate of one another. They share resources fairly and the childminder manages their behaviour calmly and consistently. Children are learning patience and about safety, for example, waiting their turn for the trampoline, as just one child can safely use it at a time. They are very well behaved as they are familiar with the reasonable house rules, for example, taking off their shoes indoors, and respect the childminder calm approach.

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and outcomes for children

A wealth of resources is stored on shelving in the lounge and the childminder usually prepares a selection for the children, although they can also request other items, as they are familiar with what is available. They are able to make their own decisions and choices, which promotes their independence and enables them to initiate their own games. The broad range of good quality toys offers ongoing interest and challenge for the children as they progress in their learning and development. The childminder sometimes plays alongside the children at their level to support their learning but also gives them space and time to discover for themselves. She offers praise and encouragement for their efforts, for example, admiring their construction creations.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder offers a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities and mostly lets the children following their interests and ideas. Children enjoy the construction bricks and their creations are sometimes saved for another day, helping them feel valued. They have occasional opportunities to do painting and other craft activities and some examples of their artwork are displayed on the patio doors. Children's imaginative play is well supported with small world toys such as cars and play people, plus a range of props to encourage role play. Puzzles and games promote children's problem solving skills and encourage them to explore and persevere.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the EYFS and clearly records her observations of children's progress towards the early learning goals. Each child’s progress is recorded in individual scrap books and observations are supported by photographs. Observations are mostly used effectively to identify the next steps in children's learning and development and to inform planning. The scrap books are regularly shared with parents enabling them to make their own contributions. When a new child starts, the childminder invests valuable time in observing the child and liaising with parents to ascertain their capabilities and likes and dislikes. She records this in a notebook which provides a foundation for their ongoing learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise which promotes a healthy lifestyle. They regularly walk to and from school and this time is effectively used by the childminder to help them learn about road safety. Children also delight This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in playing in the well-equipped garden, where they are able to develop their physical skills and competence using balls and ride on toys. They also have access to a trampoline, which they use safely, just one child at a time. Positive hygiene is promoted and children are familiar with the routine of cleaning their hands with hand gel prior to snack. Children independently access the toilet and wash their hands, sometimes needing a reminder from the childminder. Children are offered healthy snacks, for example, fruit and bagels, and regular drinks ensure they are well hydrated.

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and outcomes for children

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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 develop a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints, which the parent makes in writing or by email, and make available to parents. (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 30/09/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register section of the report. (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 30/09/2009

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