Childminder in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY382864 Inspection date 23/11/2010 Inspector Patricia 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 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 2008. She lives with her husband and child aged three years. They live in a house in a residential area in Southend-on-Sea, Essex. All areas of the childminder's house, except from the master bedroom and study 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 five children at any one time and is currently minding one child in the early years age range. The childminder walks to local pre-schools to take and collect children. The family has three cats as 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 attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. 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

Children's unique needs are met well and they play in a safe environment. The childminder's good relationships with parents and other early years professionals ensure that she is well informed about each child's requirements. She uses her knowledge of individual children to plan effectively to ensure they make good progress towards the early learning goals. The implementation of self-evaluation and parental feedback is beginning to identify priorities for development and generally ensures that any actions taken by the childminder are well targeted.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systematic way of using observations to identify children's next steps in learning and encourage parents to add their observations to the development records  develop reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify the strengths of the setting and further areas for development that will enhance outcomes for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder organises her provision efficiently and has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She ensures that children are safeguarded and has effective procedures to protect them from harm. Parents are provided with a comprehensive range of written policies and procedures that explain the safe management of the childminding service. The safeguarding policy includes the appropriate procedures to follow if there are concerns about the welfare of the children. Adults who are in regular contact with the children are subject to checks by the Criminal Records Bureau. All visitors are asked to provide relevant identification, their presence is recorded and they are supervised by the childminder. Children remain safe because the childminder conducts thorough risk assessments of her premises and any outings.

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the early years provision

The childminding service is both welcoming and inclusive. Children are encouraged to be kind and help each other and make choices about what they like to do. Makaton sign language is used by the childminder and the children to enhance their communication and understanding. Children are helped to understand about differences and diversity through use of play equipment and artefacts from around the world and by being involved in celebrations and festivals.

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the early years provision

The childminder is motivated and attends training courses for her ongoing professional development. She is also keen to act on advice from her development worker to develop her practice. The childminder has now started evaluating her provision in a variety of ways and is fully aware of the strengths in the service she provides. However, reflective practice is not yet fully embedded in the provision to ensure that improvements are sustained and all outcomes for children are enhanced. The childminder has developed effective links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She meets with other childminders at nearby children's centres and liaises with key people at local pre-schools.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that individual children's needs are met. Parents are provided with beautifully presented information booklets. They receive daily feedback about their children, including information about care routines and the activities they have participated in. The childminder has developed effective and accessible means of providing parents with information about the early learning goals and how their children learn through play. Important information is displayed on posters and picture prompts with captions. Parents make very positive comments about the childminder and really appreciate the high level of care provided.

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and outcomes for children

Children play in an environment that is very conducive to learning. A wealth of indoor play equipment is stored at child-height and the garden provides many This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunities for interesting experiences linked to all areas of learning. Good interaction supports children in developing their understanding of problem solving, working together and thinking of others. They particularly enjoy cooking activities when they explore weight and measure and count the number of spoonfuls of water when mixing ingredients together. Carefully framed questions are used by the childminder to encourage children to think and develop their vocabulary and language skills. Children enjoy experimenting with natural and man-made materials and take delight in exploring the difference between wet and dry sand. Many costumes, props and art and craft materials are provided so that children can

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress towards the early learning goals given their starting points and capabilities. The childminder records positive observations of children's achievements and uses photographs and examples of creative work to illustrate their progress. She is now looking at ways of ensuring that observations are used in a more consistent way to identify next steps to enable children to learn as much as they can. Parents provide initial information so that activities are securely based on children's interests and capabilities. There are plans to encourage parents to contribute more frequently to the development records to enhance consistency in children's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and safety is given a high priority. Clear procedures have been implemented so that children can swiftly evacuate the premises in an emergency. Children learn about the consequences of their actions as there are discussions about climbing on furniture, potential tripping hazards and taking care with toys. They have good opportunities for exercise and fresh air each day, which contributes to a healthy lifestyle. All adults remove their outdoor shoes on entry so that children play in a very clean environment. There are well established hygiene routines so that children adopt healthy habits and they eat nutritious meals. The childminder encourages children to drink regularly and ensures their individual beakers are kept topped up with fresh water, and are within reach at all times. Children's need to rest and sleep is built into the daily routine.

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and outcomes for children

Children have regular opportunities to attend toddler groups where they take part in a wider range of activities and learn about their own community. The childminder is a calm role-model and promotes good manners and skilfully negotiates any minor disagreements. Consequently, children develop a helpful attitude towards each other, form friendly relationships and acquire positive dispositions towards learning the skills they need for the future. 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 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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