Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY349183 Inspection date 30/03/2011 Inspector Tina Mason

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and child aged seven years old in Rochford, Essex. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding, apart from bedrooms one, four and five on the first floor and the lounge, study and utility room on the ground floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two pet dogs, a rabbit, guinea pigs, a tropical fish tank, a parrot, budgies, chickens and an aviary in the garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years of whom three can be in the early years age group. In addition, the childminder is registered to care for four children in the early years age group on a Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The childminder is currently caring for four children in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children on regular outings to the local park and library. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and also those who speak English as an additional language. 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 are happy and confident within the welcoming family environment as their safety and welfare are given high priority. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and, as a result, most children are making good progress in their learning and development in a safe and stimulating environment. A wide variety of activities and resources are provided to stimulate children's interest and extend their learning and development. The childminder is beginning to establish effective systems in relation to self-evaluation to identify key strengths and areas for development. Partnerships with parents and other settings make sure children's individual needs are well known, which enables consistency of care.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision  improve the use of observational assessment to plan to meet children's individual needs and to provide experiences appropriate to each child's stage of development as they progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Clearly written policies and procedures are in place and followed by the childminder to ensure children's welfare is effectively safeguarded and promoted. This is reflected in her understanding with regard to recognising possible signs and symptoms of abuse, and the procedures she would follow should she have concerns. Effective written risk assessments and daily safety checks ensure the suitability of indoor spaces, furniture, toys and outings; this, combined with appropriate supervision, minimises any potential risks to children. Children's play opportunities are enhanced by the very good organisation of space and resources. All required documents are very well maintained, including accident, medication and attendance records. The childminder has completed most of her self- evaluation and is starting to identify areas she intends to develop as she gains more childminding experience. She has a strong commitment to training and has

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the early years provision

completed different training events totalling twenty two hours. Some of these include first aid, safeguarding and food hygiene. The childminder now holds the 'CACHE' Level 3 diploma in childcare and has been accredited by the local authority.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very well organised and has a warm and enthusiastic approach, which helps children feel nurtured and valued. Toys and the comprehensive range of books are clean and invitingly displayed on shelves or in large boxes to enable children to choose as they play. Children learn about self-sufficiency when they collect eggs from the childminder's pet chickens in the garden. The childminder has a keen awareness of the need to promote equality and diversity. She celebrates different festivals with the children and has established play themes to support their knowledge and understanding of the world. The childminder communicates well with children's parents and carers and, as a result, has an excellent understanding of the needs of all children in her care. Contracts and other detailed information about children's needs and development are completed by parents and carers. Diaries and daily discussions ensure that families know

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the early years provision

many details about their children's day and what they have enjoyed doing. Conequently, parents and carers are included in the care of their children and are aware of their achievements as well as their daily routine. In addition, the childminder has established good links with other providers at other settings children also attend. She shares relevant information with them on children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are engaged in a range of good play activities which are suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder provides many opportunities for children to independently take control of their learning through planned activities and an excellent range of resources, which are easily accessed by them. Children's starting points and progress are understood by the childminder so children make This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effective gains in their learning. The childminder has individual files for children to show their progression towards the early learning goals through observations, artwork and photographs of their learning. These are linked to the each of the areas of learning. However, there is no clear procedure to show how identified next steps are used to inform future planning. The impact of this is, however, slight as the childminder knows children well.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a warm and caring relationship with the childminder. They offer her voluntary hugs, which shows they feel safe and secure with her. Children self- select activities from the wide range of choices available. The childminder values and respects children and includes them in decisions about their play and care. As a result, they are developing good independence and appropriate confidence in expressing their wants and needs. The childminder provides a wide range of stimulating resources and activities in all areas of learning. For example, children are able to develop their fine motor skills as they complete puzzles and use tools to plant bulbs in plant pots for Mother's Day presents. The childminder interacts and extends the learning of children well. As a result, young children are able to focus on activities for quite long periods of time. For example, with younger children she promotes their emerging language skills well by asking open-ended questions and

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and outcomes for children

reading with them daily. The childminder also encourages them to develop knowledge and understanding of the world. For example, children enjoy outings to local farms.

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and outcomes for children

Children are offered food which is healthy and nutritious. They have a wide selection of fruit at snack time and have cooked meals on a daily basis. The childminder ensures she discusses each child's dietary needs with their parents. Children drink lots of water during the day to ensure they do not become thirsty and to promote a healthy lifestyle. They regularly participate in physical activities, both at the local park and in the childminder's garden. In this way, they learn to use ride-on toys and other suitable garden equipment. Children show confidence, both in their selection of toys and in speaking to visitors. They learn to share and take turns. They are cooperative with the childminder and get to know her simple house rules, in particular those relating to personal hygiene and hand washing. They fully participate in the emergency evacuation procedure and learn the skills to keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

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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