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 560186 Inspection date 24/08/2009 Inspector Deirdra Keating

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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 1992. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Maldon, Essex, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding.

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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 and at times works with an assistant. She is currently minding four children who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) years and can also provide overnight care for two children. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered on the Early Years register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of an approved childminding network and is currently in receipt of funding for early education for three and four-year- olds.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder provides exceptionally well for children within the Early Years Foundation Stage years. The house and garden have been adapted extremely well to enable all children to participate in activities, consequently children thrive in the childminder's care and make excellent progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder facilitates clear systems of regular communication between parents and other professionals to ensure children's individual needs are met. The childminder uses reflective practice to monitor outcomes for children and strives towards continuous improvement.

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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 the self-evaluation of the setting to clearly relate the areas targeted for improvement to outcomes for children.

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provision

Children's welfare, care and safety are promoted exceptionally well by the experienced childminder who strives hard to continually update her knowledge and skills. The childminder works very well with other childminders and local provisions to develop her ideas and share good practice. She networks regularly with other childcare professionals and is a thoughtful and reflective practitioner. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder monitors her practice using reflection and has sought out the views of parents and children to target some areas for improvement. This forms the basis of her self-evaluation, which does show the strengths and weaknesses of the setting although the areas for improvement could be more clearly targeted.

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provision

The childminder provides extremely high quality care and has organised her home very well to accommodate all children's needs. Strong and effective communication systems have been developed with the local school, pre-school and other groups by the dynamic childminder who has developed good connections with local settings. These systems ensure that the childminder can communicate well with key staff at other provisions and take relevant and detailed information back to parents, promoting consistent continuity of care and supporting children's diverse needs.

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provision

Written policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and fully reflect the childminder's strong commitment to inclusive practice. These are effectively implemented, ensuring that the environment is safe, inclusive and children are safeguarded from harm. The childminder has a very good understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and ensures that all adult members of the household are checked and suitable to be with children. An excellent range of information is sought from parents to plan and provide tailored care that comprehensively meets children's needs. The childminder welcomes all children into her home, she is competent at meeting all children's needs and truly values each child.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children receive exceptionally warm, responsive care from the childminder who has set up her home to promote an enabling and reassuring cosy environment. The house and garden are welcoming and bright with easy access to resources and the garden. This encourages children to make independent choices in their play and consequently children are happy and confident in the stimulating environment. Children have developed a strong sense of belonging in the childminder's home, for example, they are given individual coat pegs and storage areas for their personal belongings or things that they want to take home. The childminder shows exceptional skill at ensuring all children are highly valued and gives each child quality time despite juggling the competing demands of different ages. Children who are new are easily soothed by the childminder who gives constant reassurance using positive reinforcements and praise.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The playroom is colourful and comforting for all children, while providing interest through novelty resources from time to time, for example, children thoroughly enjoy using magnetic fishing rods which they experiment with on a variety of surfaces. The childminder follows children's interests, quickly providing extension activities that challenge children to think critically and extend their learning. The activities and resources are planned exceptionally well and are responsive to children's requests and interests. There is a comprehensive planning system showing differentiation of how activities are adapted for children and linked to their developmental stages. The children are involved in planning and help prepare for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 themes they have discussed together by decorating the playroom. Children thoroughly enjoy this and discuss the different themes they have enjoyed with

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

enthusiasm. The childminder is adept at tuning into children's interests. For example, children talk about their ideas and are quickly provided with appealing resources to support their learning, children use a giant bubble blowing kit and others delight in making butterflies after expressing their interests to the childminder. Consequently, all children are thoroughly absorbed in activities and participate with high levels of interest and enthusiasm.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make full use of the small well-maintained garden which has been set out extremely well to enable children to experience a wide range of varied activities outside. There is a play house and children can enjoy quieter activities such as books and craft under the gazebo which protects them from the sun. Children enjoy the healthy benefits of growing vegetables which they pick and eat with sandwiches at lunch time. All meals and snacks are healthy and consist of fresh fruit, yogurt and savoury finger foods. Drinks are always available and children are reminded regularly to top up with drinks.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's achievements are collated in portfolios of children's learning. These include individual photographic albums and a record of learning showing a wide range of children's achievements linked to individual plans. The childminder collects a relevant range of information before children start to enable her to gauge activities to children's capabilities and gain a good understanding of each child's family background. This ensures children's families are valued and consequently they talk easily about their home lives with the childminder. Children's records are shared very well with parents who have added detailed comments and clearly share children's learning and development through their records and daily discussions.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's behaviour is extremely good, they are given tailored support by the childminder who quickly intervenes when children have minor conflicts. The childminder recognises effort as well as achievement and consequently children develop positive attitudes to themselves as learners and treat each other with consideration and respect gaining many new skills which will help them in later life. 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? 1 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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