Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY274653 Inspection date 20/01/2011 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and five years in Galleywood, near Chelmsford. The whole of the ground floor 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.

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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 age range, 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.

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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

The childminder has established procedures in place for meeting children s welfare needs. She is beginning to develop systems to enable her to deliver the learning and development aspects of the Early Years Foundation stage. Children have opportunities to participate in activities which are both planned by the childminder and freely chosen. The childminder works with parents to identify and meet the children s individual requirements, however, has yet to implement effective systems to enable her to work in partnership with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation stage. The childminder is not currently reviewing and evaluating her provision to enable her to identify her strengths and areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of observation and assessment to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child for each of the six areas of learning and development  extend opportunities for parents and others across different settings to share what they know about the child and become involved in identifying the next steps in their learning and development  develop the use of reflective practice to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for improvement that will improve the quality of the provision for all children. 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 safeguarded through the childminder's clear policies and procedures. She demonstrates appropriate knowledge of her responsibilities with regards to protecting children. All adults living on the premises have been suitably vetted and proof of their clearance is held on file. Children play in a safe and secure environment as the childminder conducts safety checks each morning before the children arrive.

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the early years provision

The childminder has yet to effectively implement a system for reviewing and evaluating her provision to enable her to progress her provision and improve outcomes for children. She has briefly looked at the self-evaluation form and is beginning to put together some thoughts on ways that she could implement this.

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the early years provision

Children freely access toys and play materials which are stored in low level containers in the childminder's playroom. They move between the lounge and playroom extending their play across the rooms. The childminder supports their play and learning by facilitating their ideas and sitting with them. The childminder shows some commitment to developing her childcare knowledge as she has in the past attended relevant training course. She plans to pursue this further in the future and is in the process of sourcing current training opportunities. Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved her range of toys and resources which reflect diversity and equality and is planning to further develop this by enabling children to participate in the celebration of different cultural celebrations and festivals.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an open working relationship with the parents of children she cares for. They share relevant information verbally each day and are beginning to share information about the children's progress and achievements. The childminder has not yet developed effective systems for sharing information about children's learning with other settings also caring for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They have access to appropriate toys and play materials which enable them to explore learning across all six areas. They carefully look after their baby doll, feeding her milk from the pretend bottle and changing her nappy. The game develops into an opportunity for children to try on the doll's clothes, causing a great deal of laughter as they realise that they are too big. Children enjoy watching children's programmes on the television and talk to the childminder about their favourite programmes and characters. They have fun looking at books and learning to listen to stories. The childminder is beginning to develop systems to enable her to observe the children in her care and to use her observations to identify the children's stages of development and next steps in learning. These systems, however, are in their infancy and are not fully effective. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children behave in ways which show that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care, for example, they move confidently between the various play spaces. They are comfortable in the childminder's presence and enjoy her company. The childminder ensures that all play spaces indoors and outdoors are safe and appropriately equipped to meet children's needs. Children develop an understanding of keeping themselves healthy and well as they follow the childminder's clear directions. They know that it is important to wash their hands before eating meals and after using the toilet. They enjoy a range of healthy snacks and drinks during their day with the childminder and participate in activities which enable them to keep fit and active.

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and outcomes for children

Children's self-esteem is actively promoted by the childminder who offers them positive praise and encouragement. She talks to them in a calm and friendly way. Children learn to develop friendships as the childminder encourages them to be considerate of each other's needs. They enter into discussions about other people's differing home backgrounds and learn about different cultures and religions through a small range of books and appropriate resources. Children are well- behaved and understand the childminder's rules and boundaries as they have opportunities to devise them with the childminder. The range of planned and freely chosen play opportunities provides children with opportunities to participate in activities which develop their skills for the future, such as, mark-making which promotes pre-writing skills. 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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