Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY402100 Inspection date 23/09/2010 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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 assesses 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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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 2010. She lives with her husband in Colchester, Essex, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding except the main bedroom. A secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities. The childminder has two gerbils as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four 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 six children in this age group. The children live in the local area and some also attend sessions at local pre-schools. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and regularly attends several toddler groups.

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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 very well met through the childminder's clear and efficient policies, practices and procedures. She demonstrates a very good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and how to support the children in her care to make progress across all six areas of learning. A clear self-evaluation process enables her to review and evaluate her provision in order to maintain continuous improvement. The childminder has started to develop links with other settings providing for children within the Early Years Foundation Stage and this process is not yet fully established. She ensures that all children are treated with equal concern, however, she has not yet fully developed her range of toys, books and resources which reflect diversity and enable children to develop greater knowledge of other people's differing needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop opportunities to work in partnership with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure progression and continuity  improve the range of resources and positive images of disability and provide support so children learn to respect and value differences, helping them to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 develop positive and caring attitudes towards others.

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the early years provision

The childminder's well-considered safeguarding policies and procedures ensure that the children in her care are protected and kept safe from harm. She demonstrates good knowledge of her responsibilities with regards to following appropriate safeguarding guidelines. The childminder's home provides minded children with a safe, secure and welcoming environment in which they feel safe and confident. All adults living on the premises are vetted to ensure their suitability and visitors to the premises are recorded.

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the early years provision

This is the childminder's first inspection since registration. She has spent the first six months of her childminding career developing effective policies and procedures and putting these in to practice to enable her to effectively meet the individual needs of the families in her care. She has reviewed her provision on a regular basis to enable her to evaluate the effectiveness of her service and make any necessary changes which will improve outcomes for children. The childminder has involved parents in her self-evaluation process by asking them to complete a questionnaire detailing their views on her provision. She has some clear plans for the future which include accessing further training to enable her to embed her Early Years Foundation Stage knowledge. She also plans to make better use of local facilities for children and to develop further links with other registered childminders.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from being able to safely access an interesting range of toys and play resources from the selection provided for them. They receive good quality interaction from the childminder who sits on the floor with them and supports their play and learning effectively. Children are valued within the childminder's provision. She treats all children with equal concern and recognises their individual needs and requirements. The childminder provides children with opportunities to develop their knowledge and understanding of other people's differing needs, however, she has a limited range of toys, books and resources to enable them to gain knowledge about diversity and equality of opportunity.

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the early years provision

Parents are kept very well-informed about their children's learning, development and welfare needs though daily verbal discussions and through effective methods of information sharing. For example, the childminder updates the childrens individual learning journals once a month and sends them home to their parents to view and add any relevant comments they feel necessary. The childminder is currently caring for seven children, many of whom also attend other early years provision. Links are beginning to be developed between the childminder and some of the settings, however, these are in their infancy and currently do not provide effective opportunities for all parties to ensure progression and continuity in the childrens learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their day with the childminder. They are excited and interested in the play and learning opportunities available to them. Their individual welfare and personal needs are effectively met through the childminder's clear practices. The childminder provides children with an interesting range of planned activities as well as facilitating their child-led play. Children enjoy playing with play dough and they use the selection of rollers and cutters to make models. They have fun playing on the large play ground equipment at the park. The childminder's system for observing children's play and learning enables her to effectively plan for their individual learning needs and to assess their progress in relation to their starting points. She supports their language development by asking them open ended questions and by naming objects around the home and when they are out on trips and visits. They learn about problem solving and use counting in everyday

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and outcomes for children

activities, for example, when they count the number of children present and set the table for dinner.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's home offers safe play opportunities as she ensures that she checks her home and provision each morning before the children arrive. Children develop a clear understanding about keeping safe as they follow the childminder's directions. They understand the house rules within the childminder's home and know that they need to follow her clear road safety rules when walking to and from school. Children are confident and move freely around the childminder's home, approaching her with ease and enjoying the interaction they receive from her. Children enjoy a healthy lifestyle within the childminder's care. She provides them with well-balanced and nutritious meals and snacks which include brown bread, fruit and vegetables. She encourages them to be fit and active as she regularly takes them to local parks and playgrounds. They also have access to her fully enclosed rear garden. Children learn about good hygiene practices such as

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and outcomes for children

hand washing as the childminder assists them when using the toilet and reminds them of the importance of this practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and comfortable in the childminder's care. They become active members within her household as she encourages them to value and respect each other. Children develop a good sense of belonging as they each have a special shelf on which to place their items from home. Children are very well-behaved and enjoy being considerate of each other. They are actively guided by the childminder who encourages them to share and to co-operate in their play. The exciting range of planned and free play opportunities on offer to the children enables them to gain essential skills for the future. For example, they learn about money and how to purchase items form shops when they visit local shops with the childminder. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 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 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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