Childminder in Thurrock

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY269639 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 2003. He lives with his 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 and is currently minding five children in the early years age group. The childminder occasionally minds with a co-minder and he acts in a supportive role. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. He 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 two cats and three dogs as pets. 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.

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Description of the childminding

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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children in the early years age are making good progress as the childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the developmental needs of young children. Promoting healthy lifestyles and ensuring children feel safe are stronger aspects of the provision. Partnership work with parents is a strong aspect of the provision as all parents are fully informed about their children's care and development. The setting is fully inclusive as all children make a positive contribution while in the childminder's care. Self-assessment has been developed to assess the overall effectiveness of the setting, however, evaluations are not fully reflective and embedded to promote continuous improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further self-evaluation systems to ensure self-assessment is reflective and sustainable.

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the early years provision

Documentation including policies and procedures and children's records are in place and are securely maintained to promote the safe organisation of the provision. Children are effectively safeguarded as good procedures, such as, the safeguarding policy and vetting procedures, are in place to protect them. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has a clear understanding of his role in protecting children and clearly understands safeguarding practices as an independent worker, such as, the rules of the house and the supervision of minded children. Risk assessments are comprehensive and they successfully minimise risks to children, for example, the front door and garden areas are secure and radiators and low-level sockets are protected. Effective fire procedures are in place, ensuring children know what to do in the event of an incident. Risk assessments are in place for trips out which

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the early years provision

includes taking children's contact details and also ensuring all children know the procedure before commencing outings. There are also clear procedures in place in the event of an incident or accident, this includes using the support of the co- minder.

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the early years provision

The physical environment; daily routines, resources and equipment are effectively organised to ensure children's individual needs are consistently met and that they are comfortable and secure within the family environment. The designated playroom provides a child-friendly environment for children to play and learn. Resources effectively cover the six areas of learning and they are well-organised to promote both independence and choice. Reasonable adjustments are made to support children's varying abilities and any additional requirements to ensure an inclusive environment is effectively promoted. Since the last inspection the childminder has addressed the previous recommendations and updated first aid training. Self-evaluation systems have been developed, however, further review is required to ensure self-assessment is reflective and continuous.

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the early years provision

Partnership work with parents is effective as good quality information is exchanged on a regular basis and there are very clearly written contracts and consent agreements regarding the individual care needs of the children. All parents have access to written policies and procedures, also photographic activities of children's play and notices on the display board, ensuring they are fully informed about their child's care. Developmental profiles are shared with parents to further update them about their children's progress. Parent's complimentary comments include 'the good range of activities, children being happy and confident' and also 'children enjoy their time at the setting'. Effective systems are in place for the childminder to work together with other settings that deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to promote effective transitions and continuity of care.

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and outcomes for children

Planning and assessment arrangements have been effectively implemented and embedded within the childminder's practice. Activity plans cover the six areas learning, incorporating themed activities and differentiation for children's differing abilities and learning styles. Planning and assessments are cyclical this ensures next steps are clearly identified and that play and learning experiences are challenging and tailored towards children's individual needs. Children's individual profiles provide parents with a rich textual narrative of children's developmental progress and this is combined with the 'Developmental Matters' framework to ensure effective monitoring of children's overall developmental progress. Overall, good progress is being made considering their starting points. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are very happy, settled secure and confident as they enjoy playing with

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and outcomes for children

the activities that are provided and are settled and contented in their play. The childminder effectively forms good relationships with them and successfully creates an environment that values all their individual needs and interests. Children are provided individual attention, as the childminder successfully captures and maintains their interest, for example, role play activities where the children enjoy ironing and organising the dinner table. As a result, they are inquisitive and curious about their play and enjoy new challenges. Children are given lots of opportunity to develop their language and communication skills as the childminder uses a range of descriptive language and open ended questioning to extend their verbal expressions. They develop an early appreciation of books and stories as they have access to a good selection of both story and information books that offer both instruction and delight. Children particularly enjoy 'The Three Bears' and the

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and outcomes for children

A good variety of resources showing positive images of diversity are in use and children celebrate a number of festivals including Diwali, Christmas, Easter and also children's birthdays. Consequently, children become familiar with different cultures and traditions. The childminder takes time to get to know children's individual needs; character traits and personalities and is, therefore, knowledgeable about each child's abilities and what they enjoy doing. Children behave very well as the childminder has a clear understanding of how to positively manage children's behaviour and there is a good focus on praise and encouragement. Consequently, all children are happy, secure and confident in his care and they are very co-operative. The outdoor garden area also offers an exciting dimension for children's play they are able to enjoy active play, ride tricycles and scooters and also plant vegetables and sunflower seeds. There are

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and outcomes for children

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, a zoo and other attractions. Children immensely enjoyed looking for insects, building sandcastles and active play in soft play centres.

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and outcomes for children

Children know the safety rules in the home as a result, they move around the home with skill and confidence. They also practise regular emergency evacuation procedures ensuring that they know what to do in the event of an incident. Children know when to wash their hands and what equipment they need to use to further minimise cross-infection. They enjoy a range of healthy snacks including fruit and they have access to fresh drinking water ensuring that they remain hydrated. The childminder has attended first aid training, therefore, knows what to do in the event of an accident or when a child is unwell. Good procedures are in place to support children with any dietary and medical needs as all the required information is obtained before children start at the setting. Overall, the childminder successfully promotes children's understanding of healthy lifestyles and personal safety. 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 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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