Childminder in Thurrock

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 404190 Inspection date 19/03/2010 Inspector Amanda Gill

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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

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 registered in 1992. She lives in an end of terrace house with her husband and two adult daughters in a two bedroom house in Grays, in the borough of Thurrock; close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding, with the exception of the bedrooms. The family have two cats.

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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. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on 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.

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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 provides a welcoming setting with children's well-being a priority. The partnership with parents is a particular strength and contributes to meeting all children's needs. Inclusive practice is good and the childminder is flexible to the needs of each child and their family. The childminder is consistently working to improve the outcomes for children by attending further training, which enhances her childcare practice. The childminder is beginning to reflect on her childcare practice and identify some areas for further improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the process of self-evaluation and reflective practice in order to clearly identify the strengths and priorities for development and take action to improve the quality of the provision for all children  continue to implement systems for the observation and assessment of children, ensure that these are used to enable children to achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and link them to the six areas of learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection and how to safeguard all children in her care. Effective written safeguarding policies and procedures are in place to ensure children are protected. For example, clear and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 robust procedures are in place for the arrival and departure of all children and the childminder has a clear knowledge of her role and responsibilities in reporting safeguarding concerns. Visual and written safety and risk assessments of her home are carried out daily and she takes prompt action to minimise any risks to the children. All members of the household hold full Criminal Records Bureau checks and the childminder has a good understanding of how to protect the children from non vetted visitors to the home. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate. This means that she can give appropriate treatment if there is an

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the early years provision

accident to a child in her care. All accidents are recorded and signed by parents on collection.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures she effectively communicates on a daily basis with parents of the children in her care. The childminder shares all of her observations of the children with parents. The childminder is beginning to put together a portfolio for each child which includes her new 'all about me' profiles, pictures of the children's activities and samples of their art work. Parents receive detailed daily verbal feedback about the day the children have had. The childminder has a good partnership with parents and this ensures continuity of the children in her care. The childminder is fully aware of her need to ensure effective partnership with other agencies such as the local schools and pre-schools.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes an inclusive environment in which all children feel valued and included. She has a good knowledge and understanding of how to meet any special educational needs. There is a wide range of attractive resources accessible to children, including some which reflect diversity. Children enjoy the freedom to choose from accessible toys and games and are well supported by the childminder as she joins in their play. They keep busy and happy, benefiting from the interaction of the childminder as she encourages an interest in different activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to self-evaluate her practise and she is able to discuss clearly her strengths and has highlighted weaknesses in her practise. The childminder is beginning to reflect on her practice. She is interested in accessing more training and is about to embark on the NVQ Level 3 in Childcare, Learning and Development, to further improve the outcomes for all children.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain self-confidence and independence as they select play activities, often becoming absorbed in independent exploration. They are encouraged to develop communication skills as the childminder talks with them and asks questions. They enjoy books and imaginative role play games, in particular taking the childminder to hospital and making her better. Children develop close relationships with the childminder and feel secure in her care. They find out about the natural environment and living things on trips to the local parks. The childminder is aware of children's favourite resources and activities and responds to these appropriately in her provision, so that children become interested and active learners. The children learn about road safety through projects and discussion, such as the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safest places to cross the road when walking to and from school.

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and outcomes for children

The children are carefully nurtured by the warm close relationships they have with the childminder. Children are confident and feel secure in making choices from the activities and resources provided. Children's individual learning and development is very well supported by the in-depth knowledge the childminder has of each child. The childminder has begun to observe children's individual progress. She uses an observation form to record the children's activities and next steps for development. These assessments are also used to evaluate the activities that she provides. Sometimes, these lack focus as they are not effectively linked to the six areas of learning. As a result, there are missed opportunities to further enhance the children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very calming nature about her which results in well behaved children who respond well to praise. The childminder ensures she is consistent in her approach to behaviour management and adapts it to the age and understanding of the children involved. Children are able to feel safe and very secure due to the vigilance of the childminder. Children participate in regular fire drills, which are evaluated to ensure children's safety is paramount and any concerns are highlighted and actioned straight away.

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and outcomes for children

Children are carefully supported to learn good basic hygiene skills through the use of effective hygiene routines. Children take themselves to the toilet and wash their own hands. Meals and snacks are provided by parents. The childminder takes detailed information about any special dietary restrictions and works closely with parents to ensure children's individual dietary needs are met. The childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of the use of positive strategies to support children's behaviour. She actively encourages children to share and take turns and is careful to monitor the children at play, to ensure that toys and equipment are used safely and appropriately. 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 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 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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