Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY401052 Inspection date 14/06/2010 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 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 2009. She lives with her husband and one child aged 10 years in Braintree, Essex, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding. The childminder has a dog as a pet. The childminder collects children from the local school and has links with other local childminders in the area.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. The children live in the local area. 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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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

Children's welfare, learning and development needs are met to a good standard. The childminder clearly knows and understands the individual needs of each of the children in her care and tailors her provision to meet their requirements. All children are valued and respected within the childminder's care and she provides an extensive range of activities and resources to promote their learning. Clear and effective evaluation of the setting enables the childminder to identify her strengths and weaknesses and devise action plans to address any areas for improvement. The childminder has a good working relationship with the parents of the children she cares for and has systems in place to develop closer partnerships with local schools and pre-schools.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further a systematic and routine approach to using observations in order to plan the next steps in children’s developmental progress.

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the early years provision

Children are appropriately safeguarded by the childminder as she demonstrates very sound knowledge of her responsibilities to protect the children in her care. She has a clear written safeguarding policy which she shares with parents and updates on a regular basis. All adults living on the premises or coming into close contact with the children are appropriately checked and vetted and proof of their clearance kept on file. The childminder has undertaken some safeguarding training in the past and has experience of child protection through her work within a local This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 pre-school.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a system in place for monitoring and evaluating her provision which details her strengths and any areas for improvement. She sets herself action plans from her self-evaluation to address any identified issues and has a clear timescale to ensure that these are completed. The childminder has started to involve parents in her self-evaluation process by asking them to complete a simple questionnaire providing her with feedback on her service. All children within the childminder's care are valued and respected. The childminder demonstrates very good knowledge of each of the children in her care and of their differing needs and personalities. She works effectively with their parents to secure her understanding of their home backgrounds and encourages them to share important aspects of their culture and background with her.

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the early years provision

The childminder is actively involved with the local pre-school and has good links with them. This enables her to develop systems for working in partnership with them and for sharing relevant information about the progress of the children in her care. The childminder has a very secure relationship with the parents of the children she is caring for. They share information verbally every day and she completes a clear and effective daily diary for them which they take home at the end of each week. The childminder is beginning to develop systems whereby parents can be more actively involved in sharing information about their children's progress by organising open days and extending their discussions.

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and outcomes for children

Children' welfare, learning and development needs are very well-met within this childminder's home. She provides an exciting range of freely chosen and adult-led activities for children to participate in which cover all six areas of learning. The childminder's knowledge of childcare and the specific needs of the children in her care enables her to offer a well-organised, professional service which is also tailored to the individual children in her care. Children giggle excitedly as the childminder chases them around the trees and bushes in the garden. They explore the interesting selection of toys and resources on offer to them moving freely from one piece of equipment to another. The childminder at all times supervising them and supporting their play and learning wherever appropriate. Children are encouraged to gain independence throughout their day as the childminder facilitates self-selected play and activities by organising her home in an easily

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and outcomes for children

accessible and child-friendly way. Children's progress and development is observed and recorded by the childminder through her observation and assessment systems. The system currently being used is clear, however, does not effectively link the observations to children's stages of learning and does not evidence how she identifies their next steps in learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel and are very safe within the childminder's care. She has clear and effective procedures in place to ensure that her home offers safe and secure play opportunities and all visitors are monitored and recorded in the visitors' book. Children move confidently around the areas of the home accessible to them and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 approach the childminder with ease when they want a cuddle or some reassurance. Children enjoy walks and trips within the local area which are appropriately risk assessed. Children gain a good understanding about keeping themselves healthy as they follow the childminder's clear directions. They know that it is important to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet and become involved in discussions with the childminder about healthy eating and foods which are good for them. Children are very fit and active and have very good

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and outcomes for children

opportunities to enjoy outdoor play every day and in all types of weathers. The childminder is committed to ensuring that children receive fresh air on a daily basis and has organised her home to enable children to move freely between the playroom and the garden.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident and settled within the childminder's home. They know their way around the premises and are encouraged to further develop their independence by making choices about where they play. Children are very well- behaved and understand the childminder's simple house rules as the childminder gently reminds them. Children are provided with a good selection of books and resources which enable them to develop their knowledge and understanding of other people's cultures and different needs. The childminder has extensive knowledge of an exciting range of festivals and celebrations which she shares with the children through topics, activities and general discussions. The play and learning opportunities provided for children on a daily basis enable them to develop and progress clear skills for the future. They have opportunities to make marks and draw and write with a selection of materials. Their love of books is

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and outcomes for children

promoted as the childminder presents an exciting selection in low-level storage baskets within the playroom. They use role play to act out real life experiences such as visiting the shop and purchasing items. 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 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 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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