Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 560173 Inspection date 25/11/2009 Inspector Patricia Mary Champion

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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 1991. She lives with her husband and three adult children. They live in a house in a residential area on the outskirts of Chelmsford, Essex. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. Access is via one low step into the premises. 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 four children in the early years age group. The childminder offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children’s individual needs are suitably supported by the caring, responsive childminder in a calm, relaxed and homely environment. Positive relationships have been formed with parents and other providers to meet children's care and learning needs. The documentation that promotes children’s welfare and safety is mostly well-maintained. Satisfactory self-evaluation, recent attendance at training courses and systems to seek advice ensure that the childminder continually looks to improve her practice and develop her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the observation and assessment records to include clearer links to the EYFS early learning goals  develop the method of recording accidents and medication to ensure that all the relevant information is recorded  develop further the range of resources and activities that portray positive images of diversity and help children to embrace people's differences.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures that children are protected from harm and any potential risks are minimised. Her home is made safe through daily checks and risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments are recorded in relation to the premises and any outings undertaken. The childminder is well-aware of her child protection responsibilities. She is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse and has attended safeguarding training to increase and update her knowledge. The childminder understands that children cannot be supervised by people who have not been appropriately checked and cleared as suitable. Her adult children are currently completing their checks through the Criminal Records Bureau (CRB). There are clearly written policies and procedures to promote the safe and efficient running of the childminding provision. All the required documentation is in place. However, there is potential for

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the early years provision

misunderstandings as the method of recording accidents and when medication is administered does not consistently ensure that all the relevant information is recorded.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about attending training courses and is increasingly reflecting on her practice. She is starting to use self-evaluation to make improvements and she meets with other childminders to discuss practice and review their policies and procedures. She also willingly seeks advice from the NCMA development worker and implements their recommendations. The childminder efficiently organises her day around taking and collecting children to and from school and pre-school. Her home is arranged to provide adequate play space, with a selection of good quality toys and play materials. These are rotated to give the children variety and allow them to acquire new knowledge and skills. The childminder promotes equal opportunities and anti-discriminatory practices and treats children with equal concern and respect. However, she has not yet developed a wide range of resources that portray positive images of diversity to

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the early years provision

promote children’s awareness of the wider world.

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the early years provision

The childminder strives to provide a service that is inclusive for all the children and their families. She is aware of the importance of liaising with other agencies and has developed good relationships with nearby schools and pre-schools to ensure that there is continuity in children’s care and learning. Children benefit from the very friendly partnerships with parents. Flexible care is offered to meet the parents varying working arrangements and the childminder also assists families by ensuring that clinic appointments are not missed. New families are encouraged to share details about the children so that the childminder effectively supports them to settle. Written policies, procedures and reports are shared, and important information such as registration and training certificates is displayed for parents to view.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and confident in the childminder's home. They show pride in their achievements. For example, when children concentrate and make intricate models using construction toys, they then ask if they can put them on the window sill to show their parents at the end of the day. Children choose to look at books for pleasure and they enjoy listening to a variety of stories. The childminder also allocates time to listen to children reading the books or key word cards they bring home from school and helps them recognise and link sounds to letters. She praises This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children warmly for their efforts, which motivates them to learn.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports learning and development satisfactorily by planning activities based on children’s interests, enthusiasms and capabilities. Outings are used to develop children’s knowledge and understanding of the natural world. For example, children observe and investigate a variety of animals when they visit Colchester Zoo or Marsh Farm. Physical development is promoted when children go on walks or visit nearby parks. They enjoy joining in singing Christmas songs and show imagination as they discuss the clothes they need to wear in varying weather conditions. Children are making steady progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has started making observations of children’s progress and achievements to ensure that planned activities are securely based on what children know and can do. However, the observation records do not yet include clear links to the EYFS early learning goals

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure and develop confidence as they explore their surroundings. They play in clean, warm premises and the childminder provides liquid soap, individual towels and tissues to protect children's health. Meal times are a social occasion and the childminder promotes good manners and healthy eating, which is supported by parents. The childminder gathers sufficient information about individual children to ensure that she can deal with any medical or special dietary requirements. Children learn to stay safe as they practise fire drills or follow road safety advice. Agreements regarding behaviour management are reached with parents before each placement starts and the childminder ensures that any issues or concerns are always discussed. The childminder provides a calm and caring role model and uses positive methods to ensure that children understand the need to act responsibly. There are suitable opportunities

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and outcomes for children

to meet and mix with other children in the local community as the childminder attends toddler groups. Consequently, children develop a positive attitude towards each other, build relationships and acquire confident dispositions towards learning the skills they need for the future. 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 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 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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