Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 128195 Inspection date 11/02/2010 Inspector Ann Marie Cozzi

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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 2000. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group and one older child. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and three children in a residential area of Kelvedon Hatch, Essex. Access to the setting is via a small step in to the premises and there is a downstairs toilet. The rest of the property is used for childminding. The fully enclosed garden is available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 has a well-developed knowledge and understanding of each child's needs which ensures that she promotes their welfare and learning. This means that they are making good progress given their age, ability and starting point. Generally, there are a range of systems in place to secure children’s safety and well-being. The childminder works closely with parents promoting good continuity of care and inclusion. The childminder engages in reflective practice to support future improvement and prioritise areas for development. Children enjoy opportunities to learn about their local environment and the wider world around them.

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further?

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

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further?

 re-appraise the current system of risk assessment and ensure they cover anything with which a child may come into contact  develop further the current system of observation, assessment and planning to ensure that children's next steps for learning are clearly linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage elements.

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the early years provision

The childminder has undertaken safeguarding training and demonstrates a good understanding of the procedures to follow in the event she suspects that any child in her care may be at risk. Children’s safety is considered through written risk assessments and safety measures implemented inside and outside of the home although not all potential hazards have been included, for example, access to an out of bounds area in the hallway and sleeping arrangements for young children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Parents and carers are made aware of the childminder's policies and procedures which are implemented in practice. All other required documentation is well maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures that high priority is given to promoting clear and open lines of communication, as a result, strong relationships have been developed with parents and carers. This is promoted by a regular exchange of verbal and written information about each child's care and learning. This ensures that the childminder consistently takes into consideration the needs of the whole child and plans effectively to support their development.

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the early years provision

The childminder actively seeks the views of parents and others, for example, she has formulated a questionnaire for parents and is currently developing a questionnaire for children. This helps her to reflect on her practice, evaluate the service she provides and identify key areas for future improvement. Since her last inspection the childminder has improved her knowledge and understanding by taking up a variety of related training opportunities which supports good practice.

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the early years provision

The good organisation of resources creates a child-centred environment. This enables children to enjoy free flow play across all areas of learning. The childminder successfully promotes children’s participation by using good range of strategies to stimulate their interest, as a result, children enthusiastically engage in activities which promote their learning. Children are encouraged to independently make choices and decisions about what they would like to do next. There is no bias in practice in relation to gender, race or disability.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's clear understanding of how young children learn through play is consistently reflected in her practice. She organises a wide range of exciting learning opportunities which promote children’s exploratory impulse and imagination. The childminder records clear observations of each child and uses this information to inform planning and support future learning although, there is a minor weakness in the consistency of linking observations to the Early Years Foundation Stage elements when identifying children’s next steps for learning. Children are provided with appropriate challenge which clearly supports them to make good progress in their learning and development. The stimulating environment provided supports children's future learning promoting a positive disposition to learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have fun investigating communication technology as they use battery operated toys, pressing buttons to find out what happens next or how they can make the sound come out again. They enjoy interacting with each other and the childminder developing their social skills, for example, as they listen to a talking book together they have fun as they begin to identify sounds linked to pictures in the book. Children develop simple maths as they practise their calculation skills counting out loud to find out how many items are on a picture or when they identify that the dressing-up shoes they are wearing do not match. Children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supported well to develop communication skills as the childminder consistently engages them in meaningful conversations which interest them. In addition, she uses facial gestures and intonation in her voice to further engage children in

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and outcomes for children

purposeful interaction. Children respond well to this as they enthusiastically recall past events such as kicking their legs when they went swimming or when they helped daddy in the garage.

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and outcomes for children

Opportunities for children to develop physical skills are good. They have access to the enclosed garden and when out and about in the local community they visit local parks and toddler groups. This ensures that they have the opportunity to develop their physical skills on a larger scale than is possible indoors. For example, they learn to use large play apparatus safely, balancing and coordinating their movements. Children consistently learn about the importance of good personal hygiene, for example, washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. They demonstrate a developing understanding about their own safety, for example, as they move around the childminder’s home they carefully avoid obstacles such as furniture or other people. In addition, they respond well to the childminder when she reminds them of the consequences of jumping on the sofa. On trips outside of the setting they are supported by the childminder to learn

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and outcomes for children

about road safety. Children are provided with drinks which are made easily accessible to them at all times. Parents provide a healthy and nutritious packed lunch which children enjoy alongside their peers. The childminder has completed food hygiene training and ensures that the home and resources are kept clean to prevent cross-contamination or the spread of infection. 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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