Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY330433 Inspection date 24/11/2009 Inspector Moira Oliver

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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

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 2006 and lives with her family in Braintree, Essex. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. The setting can be easily accessed by one small step at the front door, however, toilet facilities are on the first floor. The family have a gecko and a rabbit as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding nine children, three of whom are in the early years age group. She also offers care to older children and is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder and her husband are foster carers.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and a local childminding group.

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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

Children enjoy their time in the setting, they are well cared for and make progress in their learning and development. The childminder understands the importance of working closely with parents and others who work with the Early Years Foundation Stage and children settle well. Children's welfare is promoted, however, some essential documentation is not in place. The childminder has informal systems in place to identify aspects of her provision that she would like to develop further. Her commitment to ongoing training provides a strong basis for her capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical treatment or advice in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 09/12/2009

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further?

 make a record of risk assessments clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 23/12/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of observation and assessment to include all children and ensure that the identified next steps in their learning and development are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 used to plan relevant and motivating learning experiences  develop the use of reflective practice to include a clear action plan to ensure that all outcomes for children are reflected on and identified areas for improvement are not missed  ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum; this refers to the banisters and broken catch on cupboard under the sink

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the early years provision

Children are protected because the childminder has a secure knowledge of her roles and responsibilities in safeguarding children. She keeps up-to-date with her training and has clear policies and procedures enabling her to confidently deal with any concerns appropriately. The premises are secure, ensuring children cannot leave them unattended and unauthorised persons cannot gain access. Children are supervised at all times and risk assessments are carried out. However, these are not recorded and therefore do not identify potential hazards or how they are being addressed. For example, the broken catch on the kitchen cupboard and the horizontal banisters, which potentially pose a climbing hazard.

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the early years provision

The childminder works hard to improve the quality of her provision. She has attended all essential courses and continues to develop her skills and knowledge through further training. She has recently written clear and comprehensive policies and has plans to share them with the parents. She has begun to reflect on her practice and to identify strengths and areas she wishes to develop. However, she does not have a clear action plan to ensure that all outcomes for children are reflected on and the areas identified for improvement are not missed.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the strong and trusting relationships that have built between the childminder and the parents. Information is shared daily with parents to ensure a consistent approach. Clear, well-presented information is provided for the parents, detailing her provision and including photographs showing the activities the children take part in. Contracts and detailed records are kept for each child and most of the relevant parental permissions are in place. However, the childminder does not have written parental permission to seek emergency medical treatment or advice, potentially compromising children's safety in the event of an emergency. The childminder is aware of the importance of building partnerships with other settings and works closely with the local school and nursery, linking themes and activities to ensure continuity of care.

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the early years provision

The setting provides a welcoming and inclusive environment, where children are valued as individuals. Opportunities are made to raise the children's awareness of their own and other cultures through celebrating festivals and using resources that reflect diversity. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The children are happy and it is obvious that they enjoy the company of the childminder. They are relaxed and settled and form close relationships. A range of age appropriate toys and equipment is available to the children and they move freely between all areas, accessing their chosen activity. The childminder has begun to record observations of the children's play, identifying what they can do and their next step in development. However, these observations do not always feed into the planning and are not consistently used for all children in the early years age group.

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and outcomes for children

Children are creative, they have lots of opportunities to use paints and collage and their work is valued and displayed. They use their imaginations in play, for example, as they drive the play cars around and dress the dolls. They chat on the play telephone, encouraged by the childminder, who plays along with them. They express themselves through music, joining in with songs on the compact disc player and singing happily to themselves. Babies enjoy action rhymes and delight in rocking or bouncing up and down on the childminders lap as they sing. Communication skills are fostered as older children talk about what they are doing and babies are encouraged with smiles and praise as they make sounds.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to develop their physical skills as they visit play parks to use climbing frames, slides and swings and have space to run. Babies use the furniture, or the childminder, to pull themselves up and she has encouraged crawling by putting their favourite toys just out of reach. Children enjoy discovering nature and exploring their environment as they visit the beach, woodland and animal parks. They meet up with other childminders and their children at the local children's centre and often go for picnics in the park, providing opportunities to socialise.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to keep themselves safe through fire drills, learning about road safety and safety on outings. They are encouraged to keep small items away form babies and to tidy up toys to ensure there is some clear floor space for others to walk. They stay healthy through daily walks in the fresh air and personal care routines such as hand washing. They are encouraged to try a range of healthy foods and babies eat and sleep according to their home routines. Children know their boundaries and the simple house rules. The childminder uses simple, age appropriate explanations to help them to learn right from wrong and consequently they generally behave well. 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 3 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 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 3

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Stage

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

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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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