Childminder in EssexOfsted inspection, 25 Feb 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY412360 Inspection date 25/02/2011 Inspector Lynn Smith

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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, her adult child and two children, aged 12 and 15-years-old, in Braintree, Essex. She has four registered assistants. The whole of the ground floor, accessed via a small step, is used for childminding and all children have access to an enclosed garden. The childminder drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the library, parks, toddler groups and educational facilities. The family has two dogs and a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children 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 and 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.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's learning, development and welfare needs are satisfactorily met through the childminder's policies, procedures and practices. She demonstrates knowledge of their individual requirements and home backgrounds. The childminder is beginning to embrace systems to enable her to observe and assess the children's learning needs and to use this information to plan appropriate activities to challenge their learning. At present the system does not clearly identify plans for meeting children's next steps in learning. Procedures for working in partnership with other settings and for self-evaluating the childminder's provision are in their infancy.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the organisation of the setting by developing the use of self- evaluation to identify areas for improvement in all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage  develop the opportunities for partnership working where children receive care and education in more than one setting  improve the use of observational assessment to plan to meet children's individual needs and to provide experiences appropriate to each child's stage of development as they progress towards the early learning goals  improve the range of resources to support children's opportunities to develop positive attitudes to diversity. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are appropriately safeguarded as the childminder understands her responsibilities with regards to protecting the children in her care. She has attended relevant training and has a file containing informative documentation to refer to if she has concerns about a child's safety or well-being. All adults living on the premises are appropriately checked and vetted and proof of their clearance is held on file. The childminder's home is kept safe and secure as she conducts regular risk assessments.

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the early years provision

This is the childminder's first inspection since registration. She is beginning to embrace all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has already changed and adapted some of the procedures she originally had in place. She has not yet developed a formal system for reviewing and evaluating her provision but plans to consult parents to seek feedback on her setting and the service she is offering them. The childminder plans to do some further training and is waiting for information about the next module of the Home Based Childcare training events in her local area.

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the early years provision

Children freely access a good selection of toys and play materials which the childminder stores in low-level storage containers in the designated playroom and lounge. The childminder is on hand at all times to support the children and assist them in choosing toys and play activities. Children have limited opportunities to explore resources which reflect diversity and equality as the childminder has not yet commenced collating equipment which portrays positive images of other people. They do not currently participate in appropriate activities to help them to develop their understanding of other people's cultures and beliefs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good working relationship with parents and shares information with them verbally and in writing. She has devised a very clear and effective set of written policies and provides parents with good information about her, her family and her provision for their children. Systems have not yet been developed to enable the childminder to work in partnership with other settings providing for the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They giggle excitedly as they play with her children. They watch the childminder's dogs through the patio doors and name them, calling them to come closer. Children enjoy role play and pretending to make meals from the selection of play foods available. They offer their goods to each other and use the pretend baby bottles to feed the dolls with. Children have some opportunities to enjoy outdoor play when the childminder takes them to the local park. The childminder is developing a system to enable her to observe children's play and learning and to plot their development through photographic evidence. The system currently in place does not enable her to clearly identify This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's next steps in learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are safe within the childminder's home and demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they freely wander around the premises and approach the childminder and her family with ease. The childminder has clear procedures for maintaining security within her home and ensures that all visitors sign her visitor's book. Children are encouraged to develop good health and hygiene habits. They are reminded of the importance of washing their hands after using the toilet and before meals. They eat fruit at snack time and are provided with fresh drinking water throughout the day. Opportunities for children to make free choices about whether they play indoors or outdoors are limited during the winter months.

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and outcomes for children

Children are content and settled within the childminder's care. They have a good sense of belonging and are confident, as the childminder promotes their self- esteem through constant praise and encouragement. The selection of activities they participate in enables them to develop skills for the future, such as, pre- reading and writing skills. They talk about colours, shapes and patterns in everyday play and learn to count as they participate in number rhymes and counting activities. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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