Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY249313 Inspection date 07/03/2011 Inspector Lesley Bott

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 2003. She lives with her husband and children aged 10 and seven years in North Weald, Essex. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre- schools.

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 five 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 to 10 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 satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder has completed a self-evaluation of her practice and is committed to improving and developing her service. Observations and assessments are in place to plan appropriate activities to help children in the Early Years Foundation Stage to progress. However, the current deployment of resources by the childminder does not allow for children to develop their independence and learning. She keeps parents informed about what their children are doing and obtains information about their needs and routines.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 review the storage of equipment to ensure the environment supports children's development and learning  take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of children; with regards to having access to the front door.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are fully protected as the childminder is aware of her role and responsibility in safeguarding. Children are protected from abuse or neglect because the childminder has clear procedures in place. She has completed safeguarding training and is aware of her responsibility to refer any concerns she may have about children's welfare. Children are cared for in a safe and secure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 environment. However, currently the front door is not locked from the inside, allowing anyone within the house to open the door. This could compromise children's safety within the home. A detailed risk assessment is in place and includes all parts of the property. This is amended on a regular basis, for example, when the younger child started to be more mobile. The childminder conducts daily visual checks to ensure that the environment is safe for children. The childminder

p.4

the early years provision

has sound written set of policies and procedures which are shown to parents. Most paperwork is in place to ensure children remain safe, with the childminder completing regular fire drills, accident forms and recording medication given to children.

p.5

the early years provision

The environment is bright and attractive and deployment of resources is satisfactory. Children make some choice about their learning; however it is hampered due to the lack of available resources for them to access independently. Toys are stored within a cupboard in the lounge, however due to the electric meter being within the cupboard there is a lock on the door which prevents the children developing their independence and free choice. Children are encouraged to share resources and develop an understanding of each others' needs. The childminder has some resources which reflect our diverse world and she introduces topics with older children about the wider world. She attends a mother and toddler group during the week where children have the opportunity to mix with others. They join in, make friends and respect each other, taking into account their diverse needs and backgrounds.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder exchanges information with parents on a daily basis and shows them the records she keeps on their children's development. Parents are encouraged to share information about their child when they first attend and on an ongoing basis so that children's individual needs are met effectively. For example, parents complete an initial starting point form on their child to ensure that the childminder is aware of their likes and dislikes and what they can do. Parents are given the policies when they start to keep them informed and are encouraged to share details about their children's development. Systems are in place to share information about children's learning and development when they attend other settings to ensure continuity.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and contented in the childminder's care. They are provided with a suitable range of appropriate activities. Although the childminder ensures toys are out for the children when they arrive, they do not have the opportunity to independently make a choice of what they want to play with. The childminder is beginning to make observations of children's play and writes down what they have been doing in a daily diary. She uses some of this information to plan activities to help children to progress, for example she plans to incorporate games rolling a ball when she notices that children are able to do this and encouraging younger children to be mobile. All observations are systematic and are linked to the six areas of learning to ensure that all areas of development are covered and planned for. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are confident with the childminder and are beginning to find a voice and

p.5

and outcomes for children

discover new words. She talks to them in a sensitive and calm manner to encourage their language development. Younger children chat away on the phone, talking to mummy, 'hello' they shout. Books are available and well used. Children develop an understanding of handling books and print as they visit the local library one a week to take out books. The childminder encourages the children to develop manipulative skills as they use crayons and pens to colour in their letter S. 'I like green' said one child as they found all green pens to use. Jigsaws and musical push button toys extend children's ability to problem-solve. Children are able to express themselves as they press the buttons to play tunes they know and love.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to be creative and experiment using different media such as play dough or paint. Messy play and craft activities at the local groups allow the children to experience this. Trips out to local facilities teach children about the community and the wider world around them. Children learn to play together and socialise as the childminder talks to them about sharing resources. Children's health is also promoted as they go out for walks every day to get fresh air. This complements the opportunities for physical play in the garden and the local park.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Satisfactory hygiene procedures are in place to prevent the risk of infection. Effective procedures are in place when nappy changing and children are reminded about washing hands before eating. A fire evacuation is practised so that children learn what to do in the event of a fire or emergency. 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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

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

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