Treais, Sharon

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY307330 Inspection date 19/01/2011 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged 12 years and eight years in Westcliffe-on-Sea. The whole of the ground floor of the property and the bathroom on the first floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect 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 five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend 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. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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 has well-organised and established procedures in place which enable her to effectively meet the welfare, learning and development needs of all the children in her care. She clearly knows the children well and demonstrates good knowledge of their individual interests, personalities and needs. The childminder has fully embraced the Early Years Foundation Stage and has adapted many of her practices to enable her to deliver this effectively. The childminder's system for reviewing and evaluating her provision ensures that she makes any necessary changes and improvements.

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

Children are well-protected within the childminder's care as she has a secure understanding of safeguarding issues and how to promote their safety and well- being. She regularly updates her safeguarding knowledge through training courses and has a well-written safeguarding policy in place. Effective risk assessments ensure that children remain safe and secure at all times.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder embeds ambition and strives for improvements through her clear This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and effective self-evaluation process. She involves parents in this system by asking them to provide her with verbal and written feedback on her provision. She keeps up-to-date with current changes to childcare by accessing articles, attending training events and through the internet. The effective deployment of resources which are stored and presented at the children's height enables them to freely self- select toys and play materials from the exciting range on offer. The childminder is very interactive with the children and ensures that she is on hand to actively support their learning at all times. She is committed to updating her childcare knowledge through further training and regularly meets and discusses childminding issues with other local childminders and outside agencies. Children are valued and

p.4

the early years provision

respected within the childminder's care. Parents ensure that the childminder is provided with good background information about their home life which enables her to tailor her service to meet their requirements. They have opportunities to participate in activities which promote equality and diversity such as the celebration of festivals and special occasions.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder works very effectively with the parents of the children she cares for. She communicates verbally and in writing and shares relevant information on a daily basis. She provides opportunities for parents to play an active role in their children's learning by sharing their learning journeys with them and informing them of the activities they have participated in that day. The childminder has some links with other early years provision; however, she has not yet fully established a system for working in partnership with other settings.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. They excitedly participate in a wide range of activities and have fun. They talk confidently about their 'babies' and how they look after them. They dress and undress them accordingly and proficiently change their nappies when required. They use a good selection of dough cutters and rollers to make shapes from the mint and lemon scented dough on offer to them. Children move confidently around the childminder's home making good use of the dining room and playroom to extend their games. Children actively participate in an exciting range of planned and freely chosen activities which enable them to explore learning across all six areas. The childminder uses her effective system for observing children's play to assess and evaluate their progress. She uses her clear observations to plan for children's individual learning and to provide exciting and appropriate activities.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children behave in ways which demonstrate that they feel very safe and secure in the childminder's care. They are very confident and approach the childminder with ease. They participate in discussions about keeping safe and understand the importance of following the childminder's safety rules, such as, walking carefully indoors. Children have good opportunities to learn about keeping healthy; for example, they know that it is good practice to wash their hands after using the toilet and before meals and snacks. They enjoy experiencing outdoor activities which provide them with opportunities to develop physical skills as well as to participate in learning in an outdoor environment. Children enjoy healthy snacks This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and meals as the childminder promotes healthy eating. She encourages children to think about foods which are good for them.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are very settled within the childminder's care. Many of them have been cared for by the childminder for a number of years. They are very well-behaved and show respect for each other's feelings. They talk to each other in a kind and caring way as they follow the childminder's good role modelling. Children's self- esteem is actively promoted as the childminder offers children constant praise and encouragement. She reminds them how clever they are and provides them with good opportunities to make purposeful decisions which promote their confidence. The interesting range of planned and freely-chosen activities available to children enables them to develop effective skills for the future. They develop their love of books as they help themselves to an interesting selection. They have very good opportunities to make marks and to develop hand writing skills. They regularly visit local attractions and shops and learn about the local community in which they live.

p.6

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

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 2 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