Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY335691 Inspection date 01/12/2009 Inspector Lynn Denise Smith

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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. She lives with her husband and one child, aged four years, in Chelmsford, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. A secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities. The childminder has two cats and a pet rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register. The children live in the local area and some also attend sessions at the local school. The childminder 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 goes to several toddler groups regularly.

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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

The childminder satisfactorily meets the needs of children within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) as some of the changes introduced through the EYFS have only been partly implemented or are in their infancy. Children's individual needs, likes and interests are noted by the childminder and used in her planning of appropriate activities and she is beginning to observe and record children's progress across all six areas of learning. Her home is well-equipped with an exciting range of toys and play materials and children are settled and content in her care. The childminder's commitment to continuous improvement is beginning to develop as she has addressed all recommendations set at the time of the last inspection, however, her lack of procedures for evaluating her provision result in limited identification of areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 reappraise both the environments and activities to which children are being exposed; amend and make necessary adjustments to secure their safety at all times  improve the range of resources and positive images of disability and provide support so children learn to respect and value differences, helping them to develop positive and caring attitudes towards others  ensure self-evaluation clearly identifies specific areas for future improvements in practice, and the impact on outcomes for children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  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.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for by a kind and caring childminder who has been actively minding for three years. She enjoys her work and hopes to progress and develop it in the future. Children are appropriately safeguarded as the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of her responsibilities with regards to protecting the children in her care. She intends to complete some specific safeguarding training in the future, however, feels confident that her current knowledge is sufficient to enable her to deal with any concerns appropriately. All adults living at the childminder's home have had appropriate suitability checks through Ofsted and the childminder always ensures that the minded children are in her supervision.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a number of changes to her provision since the last inspection; these have mostly been implemented since she attended training on the EYFS and relate to the way in which she plans for and records children's progress. She has some plans for the future which should drive improvement, however, at present she is not effectively evaluating her provision to identify areas of strengths or weaknesses. She does not involve parents or children in the evaluation of her provision and therefore is unable to monitor whether improvements are effective.

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the early years provision

Children safely self-select resources and equipment from the exciting selection on offer to them as the childminder presents her equipment in low level storage boxes within their reach. She alternates the equipment with a large selection stored in a playroom, which was not previously registered as part of her childminding premises. Following this inspection, this will now be used and will provide additional play space and more effective deployment of equipment. The childminder sits with the minded children at all times, supervising and supporting their play. Steps to promote equality and diversity are limited. The childminder provides some toys, equipment and resources which promote diversity, however, she has limited experience of extending this aspect of her work to enable children to fully benefit from appropriate activities which help them to explore their knowledge of other people's differing needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure relationship with the parents of the children she is caring for. They communicate verbally on a daily basis and the childminder completes a brief written account of the children's day for them to view each evening. Whilst parents are provided with information about the children's daily routines, there are no processes in place for discussing their progress and development as yet. They therefore have limited input into their children's learning and development. The childminder is developing a process of sharing information with the local school attended by some of the children. However, to date this process has not enabled her to extend opportunities for parents and others across This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 different settings to share what they know about the child and become involved in identifying the next steps in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder as she provides them with a varied range of resources and activities which enable them to explore and make progress across all six areas of learning. They participate in a balance of adult-led and free- play activities as the childminder has began devising long, medium and short term plans to enable her to extend children's learning. The childminder is beginning to implement a system for observing children's play and progress and plotting her observations against the 'Development Matters' format. The system allows her to consider every child's individual learning path and to plan effectively for their personal progress. Children enjoy freely choosing games and resources from the exciting selection on offer to them, for example, they decide that they would like to play on the childminder's laptop computer and also to participate in a game on the games console. They proficiently use both pieces of technology and clearly

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and outcomes for children

understand how to negotiate the processes for getting started. Children have fun cooking and thoroughly enjoy eating their produce as they mix and stir the melted chocolate and cereal together.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe within the childminder's care as the childminder provides a well- organised and child-friendly environment for them to wander freely in. They move proficiently between the lounge and dining room and will in future have access to a well-equipped play room which has been recently renovated to provide adequate evacuation procedures in case of an emergency. Whilst regular daily safety checks and risk assessments have been carried out, two minor safety issues currently need addressing. Some low level electric sockets are not protected and some hazardous cleaning materials are stored within children's reach in the kitchen. Children develop sound knowledge and understanding about keeping themselves healthy as they follow the childminder's clear directions. They know that it is important to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating or preparing food. Children enjoy being fit and active as they explore the outdoors in the

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and outcomes for children

childminder's well-equipped garden. They also have good opportunities to visit local parks and playgrounds. When the weather is bad they attend indoor play centres to provide them with opportunities to develop large physical skills and to expel excess energy. Children know that they get hot when they run around. Children enjoy a selection of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks at the childminder's home and are provided with fresh fruit on a regular basis.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and content within the childminder's home. They approach her with ease and thoroughly enjoy the interaction and affection they receive from her. They form secure relationships with each other and are considerate of each other's needs. Children receive positive re-enforcement as the childminder constantly praises them for their efforts. Children have some opportunities to extend their knowledge and understanding of other people's differing needs through book and resources, however, they have few opportunities to explore other people's cultures and beliefs as the childminder has not yet This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 implemented procedures for extending this knowledge through appropriate activities. Children are provided with a range of activities which enable them to develop skills for the future. They draw with a selection of materials and are

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and outcomes for children

beginning to form recognisable letters. They enjoy listening to stories and freely choose to look at books from the interesting range available. Whilst participating in role play, they learn about the value of money and purchasing skills when they play 'shops' with the childminder. Their confidence is promoted as the childminder takes them out on regular trips and walks within the local area to enable them to develop a sense of belonging. 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 3 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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