Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY358516 Inspection date 09/03/2011 Inspector Ann Cozzi

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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 2007. She lives with her husband in a house in Harlow, Essex. The childminder uses most of the ground floor of the property for childminding activities and toilet facilities are also available on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in the early years age group.

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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

The childminder has an exceptionally good knowledge of each child's needs which makes sure that she successfully promotes their welfare and learning to a high level. This means that children progress extremely well, given their age, ability and starting points. Children are very safe and secure in this warm family home environment and enjoy superb opportunities to learn about the world around them. Partnerships at all levels are excellent and important in providing continuity of care for each child. Thorough self-evaluation and ongoing reflective practice means that priorities for development are identified and acted on, resulting in provision that responds effectively to user needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to make effective use of the local health service to further enhance opportunities for children to learn about dental care from qualified adults to advance and extend their experiences of the world.

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the early years provision

The steps taken to safeguard children are exemplary because the childminder has a comprehensive awareness of safeguarding issues. She maintains this knowledge and understanding by ensuring that she attends regular safeguarding training. There are comprehensive policies and procedures in place which effectively support the childminder in identifying any child at risk of harm and liaising with the appropriate agencies. The childminder has a very clear understanding about the importance of criminal records bureau checks. Children's hours of attendance are recorded which ensures that she can safely account for all children in her home at any time. All records and documents required by legislation are in place, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 maintained effectively and stored securely. This ensures that the daily management of the setting runs effortlessly and provides extremely positive

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the early years provision

outcomes for children. The childminder's consideration to maintaining her professional development is excellent. This ensures that her knowledge and skills remain current, to meet the needs of all children exceptionally well.

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the early years provision

Children's well-being is significantly enhanced by the childminder's outstanding organisation, risk assessment and her planning for continuous improvement. She has a wide range of high quality furniture and equipment which fully supports and enhances learning and development outcomes for the children attending. The childminder manages the environment well which ensures that it is extremely conducive to learning and is safe for children. The dedicated playroom is well suited to its purpose. Children clearly benefit and thrive as a result of their time spent with the childminder. She effectively and actively promotes equality and diversity and tackles unfair discrimination. She is highly effective in ensuring that all children are exceedingly well integrated. The development of children in relation to their starting points is very good. The childminder is taking well-considered steps to ensure resources and the environment are fully sustainable.

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the early years provision

There are well-established channels of communications between all partners involved with children. This enables excellent partnership working to take place and makes sure that every child receives high levels of support. The childminder has a highly positive relationship with all parents and carers. For example daily diaries and photographs are used to ensure that parents are able to see their children's learning in action and means that they can share in their children's achievements as they happen. Clear information about the Early Years Foundation Stage is shared with parents and they are consistently encouraged to share learning which happens at home. This provides the childminder with a clear image of the complete child and means that she can plan successfully for future learning based on what each child knows and can do. Parents have access to children's development records providing further, clear information about their child's

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the early years provision

progress during their formative years. Parents report that they wanted a 'home from home' environment and that is exactly what they have, they say 'the childminder does a great job with the early years foundation stage, they have been shown their child's personal assessment file and thoroughly enjoyed reading and looking at the pictures of what their child has achieved'. They comment that 'this gives us a real insight into how our child is developing, communicating and learning, the childminder is a very warm, open and easy person to get on with, it is a friendly and caring environment, she has a very caring nature always has children's best interests at heart'. Self-evaluation is meaningful and thorough, providing a clear overview of the childminder's strengths and areas for future development. As a result actions taken by the childminder are extremely well targeted and have had an exceptional impact in bringing about sustained

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the early years provision

improvement to her early years provision. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The outstanding organisation of the educational programme ensures that children are provided with a wide range of varied and imaginative experiences, which meet their needs exceptionally well. Assessment through high quality observations is meticulous and the information gained, is used very effectively to guide individual planning. The childminder's teaching methods reflect her clear knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements. In addition she demonstrates an obvious understanding of the benefits to young children when they are enabled to learn through free-flow play and investigation. The childminder has secure plans in place to support children's learning across all areas. This includes further enhancing the excellent existing practice with regard to children's understanding of dental health by making effective use of local health services. For example, enhancing opportunities for children to access health professionals in the

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and outcomes for children

local area to advance and extend their experiences of the world. Relationships are very strong at all levels, and children respect each others' differences and play harmoniously together.

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and outcomes for children

Children persist for extended periods of time at an activity of their choosing, for example, they enjoy playing alongside the childminder building a tower out of bricks. They learn about number language as she counts each brick used to build their tower. In addition the childminder introduces mathematical language, such as, big and little which children begin to use appropriately.

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and outcomes for children

They demonstrate pride in what they can do as the childminder provides them with lots of positive praise and attention for their achievements. Children have great fun and clearly enjoy attempting different activities without fear of failure. They are able to sustain attentive listening, for example, as they share a book about animals with the childminder. When she makes animals sounds it promotes children's interest in the illustrations and they have lots of fun as they mimic the childminder successfully making monkey, cat, lion and dog sounds. Children enjoy role play and begin to use some number names accurately, for example, they count one, two as they put their arms and legs into their favourite Spiderman outfit. Children show their growing understanding as they respond to simple instructions, for example, they run to wash their hands when the childminder tells them it is time for snacks. Children enjoy playing with small-world models such as a garage and

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and outcomes for children

have lots of fun pushing vehicles up the slope to the car park at the top and then back down again. They enjoy planting and growing vegetables, such as, tomatoes and cress which they nurture from seedlings until fully grown and harvested by them. This activity helps them to develop an understanding about sustainability and caring for living things.

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and outcomes for children

Children show that they are developing a very good understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy. In addition they demonstrate an exceptional understanding of the importance of following good personal hygiene routines. Children develop an excellent understanding of healthy eating as they are enabled to make healthy choices at snack and meal times. Children are provided with an extensive range of opportunities to engage in a wide range of physical activities, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 both indoors and out. This helps them to develop a secure understanding about the significance of regular exercise as part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Children show a strong sense of security and that they feel safe in the care of the childminder. Children safely use a range of tools and equipment within the setting and know how to handle these in order to keep safe. They are especially confident

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and outcomes for children

and skilled in communicating their thoughts and show a mature response to taking responsibility about their own and others safety. Children have ownership of their health and well-being and demonstrate they are well informed about healthy living and keeping themselves safe. 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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