Childminder in Thurrock

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 204322 Inspection date 28/03/2011 Inspector Lisa Paisley

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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 1999. She lives with her family in a house in Chafford Hundred, Essex. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children is currently minding five children in the early years age group. She occasionally minds with a co-minder and together they may care for a maximum of 12 children. The childminder has overall responsibility for the childminding practice and her co- minder works in a supportive role. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years.

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Description of the childminding

She walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children and the childminder takes children on regular outings to the local parks and library. The family has three dogs and two cats as pet. The childminder supports children with English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Outcomes for children in the early years age range is outstanding as the childminder has very good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the developmental needs of young children. A fully inclusive environment is provided, ensuring all children make a positive contribution. There is a strong ethos in the promotion of children's independence and emotional and social well-being, ensuring children are confident when they start school. Formal self-evaluation has recently been developed, further review is required to ensure progress is clearly identified and effectively tracked.

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further?

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

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further?

 developing further the self-evaluation to identify and track progression.

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the early years provision

All required documentation including children's records are extensive and are exceptionally maintained and organised to support the successful day-to-day This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 management of the provision. Policies and procedures are outstanding and they reflect current practice, as they are all reviewed on a regular basis. Vetting procedures are robust ensuring all those in the household are suitable. Safeguarding is exceptional as the childminder has extensive knowledge and understanding of her role in protecting children. The safeguarding policy is comprehensive and is shared with parents by the childminder, ensuring that they are fully informed of her role. Risk assessments are robust and comprehensive and they are reviewed regularly, this includes the suitability of all the play areas and equipment, further ensuring children are safe. Very good fire safety procedures are

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the early years provision

in place as children practise regular fire drills, ensuring that they know what to do in the event of an incident. Effective systems are in place for trips out to support children whom may require medical care or attention, this includes written parental consents and the support of the co-minders and other registered childminders. Overall, children's safety is exceptionally promoted.

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the early years provision

The organisation of daily routines; the physical environment, resources and activities are outstanding in meeting children's individual needs, interests and capabilities. All resources and play activities are maintained to a high standard and are exceptionally well-organised to support children's play and the provision of activities. Promoting children's independence and choice is an integral part of the childminder's ethos, this ensures that children are confident and competent in their independence and decision making. Consequently, children receive exceptional standards of care, attention and support. Equality and diversity is an effective part of the setting as the childminder has a very good understanding of equality and how to promote inclusion effectively within the environment. The childminder is a very skilled and experienced early years practitioner. Since the last inspection she has successfully implemented all the requirements of the Early Years Foundation

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the early years provision

Stage, and continues to attend short training courses, for example, Every Child's A Talker. Self-evaluation has been developed, however, further review is required to ensure progress is clearly identified and effectively tracked.

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the early years provision

Partnership work with parents and other agencies is outstanding, as the childminder endeavours to establish effective working relationships. All parents are fully informed about the childminder's role through initial welcome meetings with parents and the ongoing extensive communications with them. There are regular meetings with parents regarding children's developmental progress and continued learning needs. Parents are also able to make comments in their child's learning journeys, further consolidating children's progress. Parent's complimentary comments include, 'children have a brilliant time at the childminder's, they are happy, confident and children blossom'. Partnership work with others who are delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage is exceptional as the childminder gathers and shares information, for example, initial assessments are used to inform future activity plans.

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and outcomes for children

The learning and development arrangements within the provision is outstanding as the childminder has worked hard at developing extensive planning, observation This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and assessment systems. Planning and assessments are effectively formatted and cyclical this ensures that all children receive a very good range of play and learning experiences that are closely tailored towards their individual interests. Children's learning journeys provides a rich textual narrative using both observations and photographs of children linked to the 'Development Matters' framework. The next steps in children's development is identified and are used to inform future activity plans. Consequently, children's progress is being effectively assessed and monitored and all children are making outstanding progress considering their starting points and capabilities. A very good selection of resources showing positive

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and outcomes for children

images of diversity are in use and children celebrate a number of festivals including, Diwali, Chinese New Year, Easter, Christmas and any Royal celebrations. As a result, children become familiar with different cultures and traditions.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and confident within the home and are self-motivated in their play and learning as they are given extensive opportunities to explore the excellent range of activities, these include painting, construction, puzzles and outdoor play. The childminder knows children's individual developmental milestones very well and will closely support them in their development, such as, mark making and communication and language development. Children play and learn in a language rich environment as there are excellent opportunities to use language through everyday experiences, for example, books and role play activities. The very good selection of story and information books which are culturally diverse and offer children both instruction and delight. They particularly enjoy 'The Three Little Pigs' and 'Goldilocks' stories. Children enjoy singing and music and movement sessions, their current favourite nursery rhymes are 'Twinkle Little Star' and 'Wind The

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and outcomes for children

The indoor play environment including the designated playroom is brightly decorated with children's artwork, posters and letter and number prints. The childminder continually develops visual aids and activities to consolidate children's learning, for example, laminated books of children's trips out and also number cards. The outdoor garden area also offers an exciting dimension for children's play they are able enjoy active play, ride tricycles and scooters and also plant vegetables and seeds, such as, sunflowers. There are very good opportunities to explore the natural world, as there are regular outings to farms, parks, beach and conservation areas and planned days out to a popular aquarium centre, zoo and other attractions. Children behave very well as the childminder has an exceptional understanding of how to positively manage their behaviour. Minded children and family members have very good relationships for one another where they show

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and outcomes for children

both affection and concern. They are very respectful to each other polite and co- operative ensuring everyone makes a positive contribution and feel valued within the household.

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and outcomes for children

Developing healthy lifestyles and ensuring children feel safe is outstanding. As the childminder promotes healthy routines for all children from an early age, this includes regular fresh air and exercise and ensuring children wash their hands on a regular basis. Very good emergency evacuation procedures are practised and there are very good procedures on trips out, for example, all the children know the procedure when getting into and out of the car. The childminder has attended first aid training and she knows what to do in the event of an accident or when a child This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 is unwell. Children are provided with a very good range of meals and snacks, and she ensures all children have access to fresh drinking water so that they are hydrated while in her care. The childminder is extremely knowledgeable about individual children's dietary and medical needs as she works in partnership with the

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and outcomes for children

parents and gathers all required information before children start at the setting. Overall children's health and well-being is extensively supported. 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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