Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY344855 Inspection date 30/03/2011 Inspector Lisa Paisley

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 2006. She lives with her family in a house in the Noak Bridge area of Basildon, Essex. All areas of the childminder s house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children in the early years age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. 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 a guinea pig as a pet.

p.4

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.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children in the early years age range are making good progress as the childminder has a good understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the developmental needs of young children. An enjoyable home-based play and learning environment is provided for children and their contributions and views are actively promoted ensuring all children can make a positive contribution. Promoting health lifestyles and ensuring children feel safe are stronger aspects of the provision as they are fundamental practices within routines and play experiences. Self-evaluation has been developed, however, it is not fully reflective and embedded to ensure continuous improvements are sustainable.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop further planning and assessment arrangements to include next steps and also parents comments  develop further self-assessment to promote continuous and sustainable improvements.

p.4

the early years provision

All required documentation including children's records, risk assessments and polices and procedures are in place and are effectively maintained for the safe and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effective management of the provision. Robust safeguarding procedures are in place as all adults living in the household are vetted, ensuring adults are suitable. The childminder has a good understanding of her role in safeguarding children, a written policy is in place, and she has recently attended safeguarding training and reviewed procedures. The childminder has a good understanding of safe working practices, this includes the accurate maintenance of records, transparency with parents and the supervision of children. Written risk assessments for the premises and for trips out are also in place, ensuring all potential risks to children have been minimised. Overall, children's welfare is effectively promoted.

p.4

the early years provision

Daily routines, resources and equipment are effectively organised to ensure children's individual needs are met and that they enjoy their time while at the provision. The designated play room provides children with a positive and safe play and learning environment. Resources effectively cover the six areas of learning and they are organised well 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 addressed all the recommendations, she has also worked hard at familiarising herself and implementing all the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder has also updated first aid training and attended additional training, including safeguarding. Self-evaluation has been developed, however, self-assessment is not fully embedded or reflective to

p.5

the early years provision

promote continuous and sustainable improvements.

p.5

the early years provision

Partnership with parents is good. The childminder ensures all parents are fully informed about her role, as good quality information is exchanged on a daily basis and there are very clearly written contracts and consent agreements regarding the individual care needs of the children. Developmental profiles are shared with parents, to ensure that they are fully informed about their children's progress. Parents' verbal complimentary comments include 'children are happy and safe', 'children enjoy the good range of activities' and 'children are making good progress'. Good 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.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Planning, observation and assessment arrangements have been successfully implemented by the childminder, to ensure children receive good and consistent play and learning experiences that are developmentally challenging. However, there are no clear links between activity plans and children's individual profiles, as children's next steps do not always clearly inform future planning. Children's individual learning journeys provide a good textual narrative of their progress, using both photographs and observations, linked to the Development Matters framework. However, parents comments are not formally recorded to ensure records are being shared with parents. Overall, children are making good progress in their individual development given their starting points. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are very happy, settled and secure as the childminder effectively forms

p.5

and outcomes for children

good relationships with them and successfully creates an environment that positively reaffirms children's identity and self-esteem. An inclusive environment is successfully promoted as the childminder values all children's individual needs, interests and contributions. Children are given good opportunities 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. The good selection of information and story books that are both culturally diverse offer children both instruction and delight. Children particularly enjoy transport and number books. There are regular trips to the local children's centre, park, beaches, and local farm which further help children to learn about the local community and the natural world. Children's imaginations and self-expressions are effectively promoted through the good range of resources and activities that are planned for.

p.6

and outcomes for children

They particularly enjoy building a train set and role play, where children cooperate and share in caring for the dolls and pushing trains around the track.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children take part in a variety of interesting planned activities and spontaneous events that successfully support all areas of learning, both indoors and outside. The garden provides an exciting play area for children where they can participate in physical activities and also learn about the natural world, as they plant bulbs and grow vegetables and help care for the fish in the garden pond and the guinea pig. Children have good opportunities for shared and sustained thinking as the childminder spends individual time with them in developing their imaginative play, for example, train track activity. Children behave very well as the childminder is calm and patient in managing and supporting children's behaviour and emerging personality traits. She uses a good range of sensitive and age appropriate methods that children understand and children respond well to. Consequently, children are happy, secure and confident in her care and they are very cooperative. Equality

p.6

and outcomes for children

and diversity is effectively promoted within the home as resources with positive images of diversity are in use and children celebrate a number of festivals and events including Chinese New Year, Christmas, Easter, Saint Patrick Day, Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. Children also taste a range of cultural foods linked to individual festivals, for example noodles for Chinese New Year, further developing children's awareness of other cultures.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's healthy lifestyles and ensuring they feel safe is effectively promoted by the childminder. Children know how to be safe within the home and also when on trips out as there are clear procedures in place and the childminder provides gentle reminders, for example, no running in the home. The childminder has attended first aid training and she knows what to do in the event of an accident or when a child is unwell. She is knowledgeable about individual children's dietary needs and she respectfully adheres to parents' wishes and children's preferences as she gathers all the required information before children start at the setting. Overall, children develop positive attitudes about their personal safety and healthy lifestyles promoting their well-being and welfare. 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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

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