Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY403358 Inspection date 29/06/2010 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, two of whom may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for one child in the early years age group and two older children. She is registered on the Early Years Register and 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 two children aged three and five years in a residential area of Epping, Essex. Access to the setting is via steps and there is a downstairs toilet available. The whole of the ground floor, the first floor fourth bedroom and the bathroom are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two cats and keeps fish.

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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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of children's individual needs enabling her to support their welfare and learning, although, systems of observation, assessment and future planning are currently limited. Generally there are effective systems in place to secure children's safety and well being. Partnerships with parents are sound and help to provide continuity of care for the children, meeting their care needs with some opportunities for them to share in their children's development records. Children make sound progress, given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder undertakes self-evaluation which helps her to identify areas for future improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 reappraise risk assessments to ensure they cover everything with which a child may come into contact  develop further current systems of observation to ensure that children's next steps for learning are clearly linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance document and planning  develop systems to ensure information regarding children's progress towards the early learning goals is effectively shared with parents and carers.

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the early years provision

The childminder has undertaken safeguarding training. She has a written policy in place which demonstrates a sound understanding of the procedures to follow This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 should she suspect that any child in her care may be at risk. The childminder undertakes written risk assessments of her home and outings, however, current assessments do not fully reflect all potential hazards within the home environment and action taken to address these. All other required documentation is in place and household members over the age of 16 are suitably vetted.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a commitment to her ongoing personal development. For instance, she has booked herself on to a number of related courses over the coming months and regularly reads professional publications to ensure she remains up-to-date with current childcare practice. She regularly reflects on the service she provides, identifying areas for improvement and implementing changes to promote better outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge of most aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage and, therefore, children are making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. Activities provided cover all areas of learning and the environment and resources are organised to help children make choices and decisions about their play and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed positive relationships with parents and carers who are encouraged to share some ongoing dialogue about their child. This ensures that care information remains current enabling the childminder to continue to meet each child's needs. All available records about children’s care and achievements are shared with parents, although, this does not extend to include children's next steps in learning. Children have regular chances to spend time in the community, helping them to learn about their local environment.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident in the childminders home as they move around freely showing interest in their environment. They enjoy exploring and investigating resources, initiating their own learning, making choices and decisions about what they want to do next with some encouragement from the childminder. Children’s understanding of how to stay safe is supported by the childminder providing them with gentle reminders, for example, being carful that they don’t bang their head as they go under the table to pick up pieces of play dough they have dropped. They demonstrate a positive disposition to learning as they become engaged in play such as manipulating and exploring the properties of dough. They have fun as they discover that they can roll and stretch it into different shapes. Children are encouraged to develop their understanding of adopting healthy habits through appropriate hygiene routines which are part of their daily practice.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed a system for observing children in her care. The quality of information gained is developing as observations are yet to be consistently linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage Guidance to ensure that children’s next steps in learning are clearly identified. Consequently, there have been fewer opportunities for parents to review and contribute to their children's learning and development records. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are well behaved because the childminder manages their behaviour to develop their understanding of right and wrong. She provides clear explanations which are appropriate to each child's level of maturity and understanding which ensures that their confidence and self-esteem remain intact. Children freely express their needs and feelings using simple language, gestures and facial expressions to which the childminder responds. This shows their confidence in the

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and outcomes for children

positive and secure attachments they have developed.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate that they are curious and independent learners, working contentedly on their own or seeking out the childminder to join in with their games. For example, whilst playing with dough they seek support from her to make 'wiggly worm' shapes using a hand held device. As the worm shapes come through the device the childminder introduces simple mathematical language and numbers which the child repeats. They demonstrate their growing understanding by identifying that a piece of dough is shaped like a ball. Children use their imagination to create real or imagined experiences as they mimic the sound of a power tool whilst cutting dough with single handed implements. They increase their developing vocabulary, thinking and listening skills as they share their ideas during discussions with the childminder as they play. Children are provided with opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world as they

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and outcomes for children

learn about living things, for example, as they examine a wormery with the childminder or discuss what they think a snake eats. In addition children enjoy opportunities to develop physical skills on a much larger scale than is possible indoors. For example, using large apparatus in the garden or park. In addition children enjoy trips to local groups which also provides opportunities for them to see the diverse society they live in and develop an understanding of the behaviours of others through interaction. 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 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 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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