Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY344575 Inspection date 22/06/2010 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 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and three years. They live in a house in a residential area in Rayleigh, Essex. All areas of the childminder’s house are used for childminding. Access is via one low step into the house. 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 four children at any one time and is currently minding four children in the early years age group. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children on regular outings. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and an approved childminding network.

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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 effectively recognises the individuality of each child and promotes inclusive practice. She provides exactly the right balance of support and intervention to help children reach their full potential and understand all they see. Children are cared for in an overall safe and stimulating environment. Very strong working relationships with parents and excellent partnerships with other early years professionals successfully promote children’s learning, development and welfare. The childminder effectively monitors and evaluates her services and this assists her in modifying and improving her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the risk assessment to include anything with which a child may come into contact, particularly when changes occur in the premises  develop further the range of activities and resources with positive images of diversity that encourage children to talk about and value similarities and differences of their own and other people’s lives. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

All required documentation is in place in order to promote the welfare of children. There are effective systems in place to deal with any incidents and illnesses and children’s health needs are extremely well promoted. Children are protected from harm or neglect as the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues. Written policies and procedures are made available to parents, ensuring they are fully aware of her responsibilities regarding child protection. There are clear contingency arrangements with another childminder so that children are always cared for by a suitable adult. The childminder conducts risk assessments and daily checks to ensure that children are generally safe in the home and on outings. However, the risk assessments do not yet include potential hazards in relation to security arrangements following recent changes to the premises.

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the early years provision

Children are cared for by a very enthusiastic and motivated childminder. She evaluates the effectiveness of all she does and adapts practice as necessary to continue to meet the needs of all individuals. The childminder has recently achieved accreditation to receive funding for early education and consequently, has set high standards for children’s learning and development. Regular training courses are attended and the childminder actively looks for new ideas and ways to make improvements. Her practice is inclusive and all children can participate fully in the activities. The childminder has some resources, such as, play figures, books and puzzles that reflect diversity and has introduced basic sign language. She is aware that extending the range of positive images and activities in the play environment will allow children to explore further the similarities and differences of their own and other people’s lives.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an extremely positive attitude to liaising with parents and other professionals delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. Daily diaries are offered to parents to enhance the verbal feedback offered at the end of the day. The childminder encourages parents to include their own observations of their children’s learning in the ‘All about me’ folders and they feel their views are valued. Parents make exceedingly positive comments about the care provided and are delighted and impressed with the progress their children are making. The childminder has developed very effective links with the children’s other carers and finds out what children do when they are not in her care. This enables her to complement what children do elsewhere, supports a consistent approach to their development and also assists smooth transitions into full-time education.

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and outcomes for children

The children benefit from the childminder’s thorough understanding of how children develop and learn. They choose what to do and select resources independently in order to follow their interests freely. The childminder knows exactly when to intervene and when to hold back. She routinely links learning and conversations to develop children’s understanding of what they see. For example, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children talk about space travel and trips to the moon as they build space rockets from recycled plastic bottles, cardboard cartons and tubes. The childminder repeats words automatically to aid understanding and help develop language skills with the very young. She sits on the floor with the children, encouraging them to join in at their own level. Hugs and cuddles are shared to show children they are welcome and help them feel special.

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and outcomes for children

The children play harmoniously together. They share resources fairly and show consideration for others by being polite and learning to take turns, for example, as they buy and sell items in the shop. Children learn about everyday technology as they observe when photographs are printed and have excellent opportunities to discover numbers and practise mark-making. The childminder effectively undertakes both ongoing general observations and more structured observations which are beautifully recorded and collated in a learning journey profile for parents to view, along with photographs and examples of children’s paintings and drawings. The knowledge gained is used to plan activities that are adjusted to suit the varying needs of the children that attend. The childminder plans topics around which to base activities, these securely stem from the current interests and enthusiasms of the children. Consequently, children are active inquisitive learners;

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and outcomes for children

they are making rapid progress towards the early learning goals and are enthusiastically developing the skills they need for future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to be active and quiet within their routine. The childminder plans the day to meet their individual needs and recognises when children are tired and ensures that they can sleep peacefully and undisturbed. Children experience outdoor play on a daily basis, making good use of the garden to dig the soil and grow vegetables. They confidently take part in energetic exercise and develop their coordination and mobility using a variety of physical apparatus or by attending 'Music Makers'. Activities are planned to encourage children to find out about the food that is good for you. Children thrive because they really enjoy eating very healthy snacks and well-balanced meals and follow well-established hygiene routines. Emergency evacuation procedures are practised and road safety is discussed so that children gain an awareness of potential dangers and how to stay safe. 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 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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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