Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 202250 Inspection date 18/11/2010 Inspector Sarah Johnson

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 16 and 13 years in Colchester, Essex. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. A secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities. The family has a dog and cat as pets.

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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. The children live in the local area. She is currently minding seven children in this age group, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. The 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 walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends local social groups with the children and takes them on regular outings. The childminder is a member of an approved childminding network and is working towards an early years qualification at Level 3.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children feel extremely happy and safe in the vibrant and child-centred environment of the childminder's home. They make excellent progress as they enjoy a wide range of play opportunities, which are skilfully planned to meet their individual interests and additional support needs. Partnerships with parents, grandparents and other early years settings are fully valued by the childminder, ensuring that all children experience excellent levels of continuity in their care, learning and development. The childminder is truly committed to reviewing every aspect of her provision and demonstrates an outstanding ability to make continuous improvements to benefit the children in her care.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 enhancing the use of the outdoor environment to fully maximise the range of stimulating and purposeful play experiences.

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the early years provision

The childminder's practice in relation to safeguarding is exemplary. In addition to completing regular safeguarding training courses, she has clear written procedures This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to ensure that children's welfare is given unquestionable priority. The childminder shares her safeguarding children policy with all parents and carers to ensure they are fully aware of her responsibility to protect children. All adults in the home have completed the required checks to confirm their suitability to be in regular contact with children. Highly effective risk assessments, together with the childminder's intuitive awareness of safety, ensure that children play in a very safe and secure environment. Furniture, equipment and resources are wide ranging and of an extremely high standard, resulting in an environment that is very conducive to learning. The childminder is taking well-considered steps to ensure the provision of

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the early years provision

resources remains sustainable. For example, she takes full advantage of supermarket voucher schemes to enable her to purchase further resources that are chosen by the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder knows the children extremely well. She values and embraces their individuality and has a positive attitude and approach to promoting diversity. She is highly committed to supporting any specific needs that children may have and confidently links up with outside professionals to seek specialist advice. The childminder is genuinely dedicated to building successful relationships with parents and other practitioners involved with the children's care. This means that she is able to share valuable information about the children's changing needs and promote true continuity of care as children move between settings. Parents are extremely keen to express their satisfaction with the care provided and clearly appreciate the childminder's caring and attentive nature. They have rich opportunities to contribute their comments to their children's learning journal records and share their views more formally in their annual review letters.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates high levels of enthusiasm and professionalism. She has very high aspirations for the quality of her service and uses continual reflective practice to identify key areas for improvement. For example, she actively uses the Ofsted self-evaluation form to review each area of her practice in meticulous detail. Many improvements have been made since the last inspection and the childminder is continually looking to enhance her existing knowledge and understanding. For example, she continues to work towards a relevant early years qualification and is very keen to become accredited to offer funded early education for three and four- year-olds.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has extensive knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and understands how children learn through play and exploration. Each child has a beautifully presented learning journal, including an abundance of meaningful photographs and detailed observations that are skilfully linked to the relevant aspects of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. These documents provide parents with a rich overview of their children's progress and inspire them to understand how they can support their children's future learning. Children benefit from a very bright, warm and child-friendly learning environment, where they can reach many of the resources independently. For example, they have ample space to empty boxes of construction materials onto the floor, spreading out as they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 build tracks and line up small vehicles. The childminder is particularly mindful to

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and outcomes for children

present a wide range of toys for babies and younger children on the lowest shelves, including those with various buttons, sounds and lights.

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and outcomes for children

Children's development across all six areas of learning is promoted exceedingly well. They are curious, imaginative and able to concentrate for prolonged periods of time with activities that stimulate and challenge them. They enjoy completing tasks and show pride in their achievements. For example, as they tackle increasingly challenging puzzles and learn to write their names independently. The childminder actively supports children to extend their vocabulary and build secure skills for the future, as they share books and stories, link sounds and letters and develop their communications from a young age. High regard is given to the things children say and how they respond to the world around them. For example, when children ask 'how are carrots made?' during a trip to the supermarket, the childminder plans for them to sow and harvest their own carrots. This means that they are actively learning from rich first-hand experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Access to the garden, local park and woodland area is well promoted, where children can enjoy a wide range of physical activities in the fresh air. The childminder has proactively identified the use of resources in her garden as an area for development as they are not always presented as vibrantly as they could be. Children delight in exploring an excellent range of sensory resources. For example, they eagerly delve into a treasure basket containing a variety of interesting objects, including sponges, chains, pine cones and pouches of scented herbs and spices. The childminder promotes the children's positive appreciation of diversity through fun activities, books and different foods. For example, she talks to children about the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti whilst they make traditional colourful kites. Clear boundaries for behaviour and age-appropriate explanations help children to understand what is acceptable and they are extremely well-behaved.

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and outcomes for children

They respond very well to the childminder, as she is an excellent role model and treats them all with kindness and respect.

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and outcomes for children

Outcomes for children's health and safety are fully promoted. As a result, children feel very safe within the childminder's home and are at ease with seeking her support whenever they need it. They have a highly effective awareness of their own personal hygiene. For example, they follow rigorous procedures such as washing their hands after using the toilet, with very few prompts from the childminder. Children demonstrate a strong understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They are given valuable opportunities to use a wide range of tools with increasing coordination. For example, the childminder supports them to use a knife safely to cut up their own fruit at snack time. The older children also show an intuitive awareness of the safety needs of the younger children as they learn to tidy away smaller toys to prevent any choking hazard. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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 1

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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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