Childminder in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY246825 Inspection date 21/05/2010 Inspector Tina Anne Mason

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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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged 17 and 12 years in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex. The whole of the childminder’s property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The home is accessed via two small steps up to the front door.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children on a part-time basis in this age group. She also offers care to children aged five years to 11 years. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this extremely well to promote children's care, learning and development in all areas. Children are thriving in their learning and have lots of fun as the childminder knows their individual needs extremely well. Children are very busy and dynamic learners because the childminder skilfully supports their play and effectively challenges their learning, ensuring their well-being is at the heart of everything she does. The childminder is ambitious and highly motivated to drive improvement and ensure extremely positive outcomes for children. The childminder has made a careful and detailed evaluation of her provision and demonstrates her commitment to ongoing improvement through her implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage and improvements effected since her last inspection.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to develop the good system already in place to record children's achievements and plan for their future learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has thorough knowledge of the detailed and well-written policies and procedures to safeguard and protect children from harm. All the required documentation and records are secure and well maintained to support children's care. Risk assessments for the home and outings are robust, to ensure risks to children are minimised. The highly committed and dedicated childminder has drive and dynamic vision for her practice, placing children at the centre of her work. Excellent organisation successfully promotes children's health, safety and learning potential, promoting very positive outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Resources are of high quality and suitable for the ages of children to support their learning and development. The childminder has recently been in receipt of funding which has enabled her to have a large wooden play hut built in her garden; this has clearly attributed to the needs of the children, providing them with further accommodation that is very well suited to its purpose. Children clearly benefit and thrive as a result of the safe and secure setting they are in. The childminder has exceptional knowledge of each child’s backgrounds and needs. Regular outings around the local community effectively help children to learn about and understand the society in which they live. The childminder is proactive in forging good partnerships with external agencies to support children's needs well.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a detailed and thoughtful evaluation of her provision, it is comprehensive, descriptive and identifies areas for development. She invites parents and children to share their views. The childminder is committed to ongoing professional development and regularly attends appropriate training to ensure that she is best equipped to meet the individual needs of each child in her care. Children benefit from highly effective partnerships between the childminder and their parents, helping them to feel safe and secure. Parents praise the friendly, home from home environment and flexible care arrangements. They receive copies of the policies, alongside regular updates about their children's progress. Children benefit from highly stimulating and inviting play areas with posters, photographs and children's own artwork on display. Extremely well-presented resources and free flowing access to outdoors give children choice and ample space to play,

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the early years provision

whilst actively encouraging their independence.

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and outcomes for children

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning, make a positive contribution and develop skills for the future is outstanding. Children are extremely well-engaged in a range of play activities, suitable for their age and stage of development. The needs of babies and toddlers are met very effectively alongside each other, with lovely interaction from the childminder to develop their learning at every opportunity. Photographic evidence also shows how older children are included and enjoying activities. The childminder provides lots of opportunities for children to independently take control of their learning through a range of planned This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities and an excellent range of resources which are readily accessible to all children. A well-resourced outdoor area promotes enjoyment of exercise as well as physical development.

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and outcomes for children

Younger children are provided with a wide range of natural materials and planned activities to promote their natural curiosity and awareness of texture. For example, the childminder has made treasure baskets and sensory boards for the younger children to explore. A basket full of wooden objects and a second basket full of different types of fabrics enable children to investigate objects and materials by using all of their senses. Children are confident to try new activities as they enjoy washing their own perspex window in the garden, children enjoy playing with the water and using the different cloths and window wipers to wash and clean the window. Children are learning to link sounds to letters as they play with the play dough and use letter shaped cutters to make letters out of the dough. They are also encouraged to use number in their everyday play as they count how many spots are on the ladybird. The childminder listens carefully to what children have

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and outcomes for children

to say and values what they are saying. She uses lots of praise which promotes children's self-esteem and confidence and allows children to make known their views and wishes. Children's awareness of diversity and the wider world is well promoted through a good range of resources, such as books, dressing-up clothes, small world figures and focused activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children's starting points and progress are understood by the childminder so each child makes significant gains in their learning. Tracking of children's progress is developing through observation and good, clear assessments, photographs and examples of their work. Individual activity plans identifying clear learning intentions, observations of the activity and next steps are used purposefully to challenge children's learning and are empowering them to reach their full potential. All children are very aware of the rules of the home, respond to the expectations and are involved in decision making to promote a sense of belonging. Children respond positively to much praise and encouragement, they are confident and self- assured, happy and settled. Their behaviour is excellent, they develop positive relationships with adults and their peers.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from good hygiene practices and healthy eating promoted by the childminder. Young children are very aware of routines, such as hand-washing before eating, using individual paper towels to prevent the risk of cross-infection. Children have easy access to drinks of water as they play. They enjoy a selection of summer fruits and rice cakes for snack provided by the childminder in consultation with parents to ensure dietary requirements are met and any specific issues dealt with consistently. In addition, children enjoy freshly made home- cooked meals for their tea. Children have daily opportunities to play outside in the childminder's garden, they take regular walks and go on frequent outings which greatly enhances their enjoyment of the fresh air and develops their physical skills. Children are safe within the home due to effective use of detailed risk assessments carried out by the childminder. Children are involved in regular fire evacuation

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and outcomes for children

drills to develop their awareness of fire safety. They learn about road safety from regular discussions and daily experiences. Children walk through the local community in pairs and young children are secured into the childminder's quad This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 buggy where four children can sit to ensure their safety, as the childminder completes the school run and when out and about on outings. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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