Home Childcarer in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY288541 Inspection date 12/10/2009 Inspector Lisa Paisley

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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 2004. She lives with her family in a house in a residential area of Basildon, Essex. The whole ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding five children in the early years age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children and the childminder takes children on regular outings to the local parks and library.

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Description of the childminding

This provision is registered by Ofsted 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 is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has good knowledge and understanding of how to best promote children's learning and development, ensuring they thrive and make very good progress. Partnerships with parents is valued and this contributes significantly to ensuring that each child's individual needs are well met, along with any additional support needs. Children are settled and confident as they engage in a wide range of stimulating play opportunities in the safe and secure environment. Continuous improvement is promoted through the childminder accessing ongoing training and support from the development worker.

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further?

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

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further?

 update complaints log to include relevant information in relation to Ofsted  develop further systems to include parents comments and contributions  develop formal self-evaluation systems to ensure continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Children are well protected from harm as the childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to her role in safeguarding children. She has a clearly written safeguarding policy in place and this ensures she can confidently follow up any concerns about a child's welfare. Parents are fully informed of her role in safeguarding children, further promoting children's welfare and safety. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has a clear understanding of her role in supervising children and ensuring that they are not left alone with any persons whom are not vetted. All required documentation is in place and this includes good quality written policies and procedures that are reviewed yearly. The complaints procedure is in place, however, it does not include information with regards to Ofsted role. Risk assessments for both indoors and for trips out are in place and are implemented

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the early years provision

on a daily basis to further promote children’s safety and welfare. Good standards of cleanliness and effective safety measures are maintained throughout the play environment. The childminder is vigilant about the security of the children and monitors visitors to the premises. Children benefit from furniture, equipment and resources that are of a high quality and suitable to stimulate and challenge children of all ages and stages.

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the early years provision

The childminder gets to know parents and carers extremely well, forming close, positive relationships with them. Information sharing, mainly through daily meaningful discussions, and written feedback, is highly effective in ensuring that children's changing needs are well met. Parents and carers who are new to the setting receive a welcome pack, detailing information about the service that is provided for their children, as well as, receiving the key policies and procedures at the setting. The childminder has established suitable systems of communication with the other practitioners that care for children, promoting further continuity of care for all the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is fully committed to meeting the needs of the children and their families, and values their views on the service she provides. For example, she has meaningful daily discussions with parents about her practice and she shares children's individual 'Development Matters' profiles with parents. However, systems have not been established to obtain parents comments and contributions relating to their child's developmental progress and wider issues within the provision. Parents written comments highlight the good range of activities that are provided, including, the close relationships that are formed with the children and that their children are happy, secure and contented while in the childminder's care. The childminder has made good improvements since the last inspection, however, she has not yet formalised self-evaluation systems to establish realistic targets for continuous improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and secure as the childminder effectively forms good relationships with the children and successfully creates an environment that values all individual children’s needs and interests. Young children settle quickly as the childminder provides individual attention, capturing children’s attention and successfully maintaining their interest, for example, painting, water and sand activities in the garden, providing children with opportunities for self-expression and creativity. Children are given lots of opportunity to develop their language and communication skills as the childminder uses clear and effective language; open ended questioning and key words and all the children responded very well to her requests. They are given the time and space for self-expression and conversation, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as a result the younger children's language skills are developing well. Children

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and outcomes for children

have good opportunities to look at books and stories, and they confident in their handling off books and enjoy sitting with the childminder sharing stories. Consequently, children are developing an appreciation of books and stories at a young age. They also enjoy simple nursery rhymes such as ‘Incey Wincey Spider'’. There are regular trips out to the local park, library and shops, and outings further a field such as, Colchester Zoo and Marsh farm, helping children to learn about the world around them. The childminder is knowledgeable about each child’s abilities and what they enjoy doing. She skilfully anticipates and negotiates any behaviour issues and there are clear house rules to follow. Consequently, children are very respectful towards one another and show concern for their peers and their environment. A suitable variety of toys and books that show positive images of diversity are in constant use and this increases children’s familiarity with different

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and outcomes for children

The children take part in a variety of interesting planned activities or spontaneous events that successfully support all areas of learning, both indoors and outside. The childminder has an effective and strong understanding of children's individual progress, their interests, strengths and areas of improvement, consequently, actively plans and play experiences are in place to enhance and extend children's developmental progress. Children have regular opportunities to learn about early mathematical concepts, this includes counting activities and songs as part of daily routines. The childminder understands that children have different learning styles and that all the children in her care are very confident and enjoy new challenges and learning experiences, for example, the pirate ship at Maldon promenade park. The childminder has developed and implemented planning and observation arrangements, ensuring that children make as much progress as they can.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a safe and healthy lifestyle through their daily routines. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised and a safety talk on outings is included as part of the risk assessment. Effective hygiene routines are in place, this includes nappy changing procedurces, food preparation and children washing their hands when needed. All the children know the hand washing procedure and can explain why they need to wash their hands. The childminder is vigilant in explaining to child about their own safety in the home, as a result they move around the premises safely and use resources and play equipment appropriately. The childminder has attended first aid training and therefore knows what to do in the event of an accident or when a child is unwell. The childminder is knowledgeable about individual children’s dietary and medical needs as she gathers all the required information before the child starts are the setting.

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and outcomes for children

Therefore children’s health and well-being is fully supported. 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 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 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: 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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