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 EY257497 Inspection date 26/08/2009 Inspector Lynn Denise Smith

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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 four and six years in Harlow. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The bathroom is situated on the first floor. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group, takes children to the library and to the park. The childminder has regular links with other local childminders. The childminder provides parents with a written prospectus which provides them with details about her service. The childminder has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children at any one time and is currently minding eight children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. One of the children is within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 12 years. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder demonstrates an excellent understanding of the children's individual needs and meets them effectively in a warm and inclusive setting. All children are well-supported in both their welfare and learning requirements which enables them to remain healthy and safe and to make good progress in their learning and development. Children thoroughly enjoy their day with the childminder and develop close relationships with her family and the other children being cared for. Parents provide the childminder with good information about their children's starting points which are used to assess their progress, however, at present there are no procedures in place for the childminder to share the children's progress effectively with parents. The childminder is in the early stages of developing a system to enable her to identify areas for improvement through self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend opportunities for parents and others across different settings to share what they know about the child and become involved in identifying the next steps in their learning and development  develop the use of reflective practice to identify the setting’s strengths and priorities for improvement that will improve the quality of the provision for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children are effectively cared for by a professional childminder who has been registered for a number of years. The childminder is committed to developing and extending her childminding knowledge through training. She keeps up-to-date with changes within the childcare world through books, journals and the internet. The childminder demonstrates a firm knowledge about her responsibilities with regards to safeguarding the children in her care. She has attended current safeguarding training and has effective procedures to follow up any concerns. All adults living on the premises have been appropriately checked and documentation regarding clearance is held on file. Children are always in the childminder's care.

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provision

Superbly produced records and written documentation are available and shared effectively with parents. Verbal information, from the parents, about the children's starting points enables the childminder to assess their progress effectively. Clear and well-presented written policies and procedures support the childminder's practices and provide effective information about her services. Whilst the childminder has begun to consider ways in which she can reflect upon and evaluate her setting, she has not yet implemented effective procedures for identifying strengths and areas for improvement. Links with the families in the childminder's care are good and she is beginning to extend links with other settings also providing for children within the EYFS age group.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare needs are very well met through the childminder's clear and well-documented policies, procedures and practices. They have superb opportunities to develop and make progress as the childminder demonstrates an extensive understanding about the EYFS framework and how children develop. Children are settled and comfortable in the childminder's care. They confidently move around her home making good use of the space available to them. Children learn about safety and good hygiene as they follow the childminder's effective practices, for example, washing their hands after they have played in the garden and before eating. Children are fit and active and have fun playing in the childminder's well-equipped garden. They enjoy a range of meals at the childminder's home which are healthy and nutritious.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are valued and respected by the childminder. They each play an important role within her family, with many of them having been cared for by her for a number of years. The childminder is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming service which is accessible to all and provides all children with equal opportunities to play, learn and have fun. The childminder acknowledges that all children are different and encourages them to develop a greater understanding of each other through appropriate activities, festivals and special celebrations. Parents are provided with good information about what the children have been doing through verbal discussions held at the end of each day and through written daily diaries which parents take home. At present there is no formal system in place for sharing information about the children's progress and development. 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

Children play and learn in a very child-friendly home which is presented effectively to enable them to move confidently between rooms. They safely self-select toys and resources from the exciting range stored in low-level storage boxes in the playroom. The playroom is made welcoming and attractive as the childminder displays examples of the children's creative work around the walls and colourful posters. Children access the large rear garden through patio doors from the playroom which provides an extension to their play space.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enthusiastically participate in a wide range of different activities which help them to make good progress across all six areas of learning. For example, they chat confidently with each other and with the childminder. They think critically about their play and articulate their feelings well. Children enjoy making marks with a range of materials, such as paint, glue, sand, pens and chalks. They are encouraged to begin forming recognisable letters through well-presented stationary in the role play areas. Children have superb opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world as they collect and explore insects through magnifying glasses. They plant vegetables and herbs and tend their produce until it is ready to harvest. Children learn about recycling and make their own recycled paper. Children learn about the wider world, for example, by following the Olympics, each taking a country and using the television and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

reference books to find out about that country and how many medals they won. Children explore and learn about changes, for example, when they crush wheat to discover that it makes flour and when they cut open the fruit from a passion flower plant in the garden to look at the seeds. Children have fun being creative. They make their own playdough, choose which colour they want to dye it and then make dough foods, such as, fried eggs and croissants for breakfast. 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? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 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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