Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY243894 Inspection date 03/03/2011 Inspector lynn smith

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2002. She lives with her two children aged eight and six years in Hockley. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a pet rabbit.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child attending who is within the Early Years Foundation Stage and attends on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's effective policies, procedures and practices promote children's welfare, learning and development needs to a good standard. She is knowledgeable about the children in her care and talks passionately about previous children she has cared for. She has embraced the changes introduced through the Early Years Foundation Stage and effectively provides activities which enable children to make good progress across all six areas of learning. The childminder has not yet developed effective systems to enable her to work in partnership with other settings. She reviews and evaluates her provision through her self-evaluation processes.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop the sharing of relevant information where children receive care and education in more than one setting.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder's effective safeguarding policy enables her to protect the children in her care and to follow the local Safeguarding Children Board procedures if she has concerns about the welfare of any children she is responsible for. She ensures that all adults living on the premises or having regular contact with minded children are suitable and proof of their clearance is held on file. Children play in an environment which is regularly risk assessed and checked for safety.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder regularly reviews and evaluates her provision to enable her to identify any areas of improvement. She involves parents in this process by asking This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them to complete questionnaires and making notes of any verbal feedback they share with her. Children also provide the childminder with written and pictorial feedback about things they like to do when they spend time with her.

p.4

the early years provision

Toys and play materials are stored in a dedicated playroom within the childminder's home. She presents the resources in low-level storage containers to promote children's self-selection and develop their independence. The childminder has updated her childcare knowledge through regular training events and has plans to further develop her knowledge as and when appropriate courses are available to her. All children are valued and respected within the childminder's care and she actively celebrates their differences by encouraging them to talk about their home backgrounds and differing family structures. Children have some opportunities to learn about other people's cultures and religions through the celebration of festivals and special occasions.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a good working relationship with parents and shares information with them verbally at the beginning and end of each day. Parents are provided with some written information about the childminder and her practices. At present, systems to enable the childminder to work in partnership with other settings are limited.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with this childminder. They excitedly participate in a 'jelly making' activity in which they melt the jelly with hot water, stir the mixture and pour it into small containers to set. They enthusiastically recall this procedure when asked what they have been doing, explaining that the jelly is in the fridge so that it can go cold. The child-sized apron and chef's hat worn throughout this activity sets the scene. Following this activity, the utensils used are expertly washed up, along with anything else which is within reach of the kitchen sink. The bubbles created by the washing up liquid create exciting play opportunities and generate purposeful discussions between the children and childminder. The childminder provides children with a balanced range of adult-led and child-initiated activities which help them to progress in all areas of learning. A system form observing, evaluating and reviewing the children's learning has been

p.5

and outcomes for children

implemented by the childminder which enables her to plan for their next steps in learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children develop a very good understanding about keeping themselves healthy as they follow the childminder's clear directions. They know that it is important to wash their hands at appropriate times and that they need fresh air and exercise to keep them healthy. Children enjoy a well-balanced diet which contains a good amount of fresh fruit and vegetables. They chat to the childminder about the vegetables she is preparing for the older children's evening meal and help to chop these. They discuss the fact that vegetables are good for them as they do so. Children behave in ways which demonstrate that they feel safe and secure within the childminder's home. They move confidently around the areas used for childminding and assess toys and play materials independently. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encourages children to develop a good sense of safety when outdoors by

p.5

and outcomes for children

promoting clear road safety rules and encouraging older children to make choices about safe places to cross the road.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to participate in a good range of activities which help them to develop essential skills for the future. They learn to use books to develop pre-reading skills and an enjoyment of reading. They have opportunities to make marks and to begin emergent writing as they freely access a selection of pens, crayons and drawing paper presented at their height in the dining room. Children's self-confidence and self-esteem is actively promoted through the childminder offering praise and encouragement throughout the day. She provides good opportunities for children to become independent. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8