Pope, Elaine Suzannah

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY415121 Inspection date 10/05/2011 Inspector Lynn A Hartigan

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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 2010 and lives with her partner and two children aged 15 and eight years. The childminder lives in Springfield, near Chelmsford in Essex. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have a dog and guinea pigs as pets.

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Description of the childminding

A maximum of six children under eight years may attend at any one time, three whom all may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently caring for three children, on both full and part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

Care is also offered to children aged over five years. 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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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 settle very well and their development and learning is met to a good standard. The childminder works closely with the parents, to ensure the children's individual needs are supported. Children progress well through the Early Years Foundation Stage as the childminder has a secure understanding of how to identify their unique needs and support their progress. Children enjoy a range of fun, interesting outings and activities, however, opportunities for heuristic play is more limited. A systematic way for assessment and recording observations is in place and parents' comments are welcomed. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the importance of self-evaluation, training and continuous improvement, ensuring a high standard of care is offered at all times.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop opportunities for babies and younger children to explore and experiment with natural materials.

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the early years provision

The childminder cares for children's well-being effectively as she fully understands her responsibility to protect children. The childminder has attended relevant training to ensure she is up-to-date with current practices and has a good understanding of child protection issues. The childminder ensures members of the household who require suitability checks have completed these. The childminder provides a very child friendly, welcoming and safe environment for children to play. The childminder ensures the home is safe on a daily basis as checks are completed This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 before the arrival of children and good, written risk assessments are in place. The childminder is aware of potential hazards when outdoors and on organised outings and is vigilant to ensure the children's safety at all times.

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the early years provision

The provision of good quality toys and resources are readily available for the children and they can easily self-select and initiate their own play. They receive very good attention from the childminder as she is organised and dedicates her time to the children. The childminder is realistic who she cares for at anyone time, ensuring every child receives good quality attention. The childminder's good practice is underpinned by effective policies and these are shared with the parents/carers at the time of admission.

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the early years provision

The childminder is an experienced practitioner and is effective in developing and supporting the children's learning and welfare. Children enjoy continuity of care because the childminder works in close partnership with the parents and other early years providers who share the children's care. The childminder is able to confidently demonstrate how she plans to improve the service she provides. Some good attempts at self-evaluation have been made and the childminder values and encourages parents' contributions. For example, the provision of questionnaires provides good feedback from the parents and is used to develop the provision further. Written references from parents are all extremely positive about every aspect of care offered to their child.

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the early years provision

The childminder values each child for their individuality and opportunities for children to learn about diversity are provided through the activities offered. For example, some positive images of diversity within books and equipment are readily available. Dressing up, puppets and small world people are available to the children to help them embrace difference and discuss similarities. Effective communication systems are in place to communicate with parents, who are warmly welcomed into the home. They are able to discuss their children on a daily basis and a daily information book is also used for children within the early years. Photographs are provided for parents within the children's learning journeys and these provide good evidence of what the children have been doing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very clear understanding of how children learn and develop and is familiar with the six areas of learning and how to ensure children progress well. The childminder positively encourages the children to initiate their own play both indoors and outdoors. The childminder is very familiar with the children's interests and ensures exciting and attractive activities are readily available. For example, bowls of water, towels and soap are provided so that children can wash their dolls. They have great fun lathering their babies and even very young children explain how they are washing the germs away and making their dolls clean.

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and outcomes for children

Regular outings are arranged weekly to ensure children are offered a variety of experiences to support their learning and development. For example, children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regularly visit the local children's centre and engage in the messy activities provided. They have fun at the local library where they enjoy story time, select books to bring home and join in the singing sessions. Trips to local lock and woods also provide children with excellent opportunities to play and explore the outdoor environment. They have immense fun making dens and expressing their creativity and having picnics with their friends. However, there are limited opportunities for children to explore and discover using natural materials within the indoor environment.

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and outcomes for children

Young children enjoy playing imaginary games such as, going on holiday, they pack their cases and talk to one another about their adventures. Some excellent equipment in the garden, such as a tree house supports children in their creative play and provides opportunities to develop their physical skills. Young children are proficient in climbing their way in and are aware of safety issues as they are gently reminded by the childminder. The childminder offers lots of praise for their efforts. Children have clearly formed positive relationships with both the childminder and her family and happily approach the childminder for assistance and cuddles.

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and outcomes for children

New children settle well and happily leave their parents as the childminder encourages a good settling-in process and ensures she is fully informed with regard to their likes and dislikes. The childminder speaks intuitively of all the children in her care and is exceptionally respectful of every child's individuality and positively embraces differences and similarities. The childminder has developed effective systems to record the children's development and encourages parental involvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn how to stay safe, as the childminder discusses road safety issues with them, at their level of understanding. Through familiar daily routines children are beginning to understand the importance of being healthy. For example, children are reminded to wash before snack and young children can independently complete this task. The childminder is close by should they require help and good nappy changing procedures ensures children are protected from cross-infection. Nutritious, healthy snacks are provided by the childminder, such as, rice cakes and fresh fruit. Children happily sit together on a blanket and enjoy their food in the sunshine. The childminder is vigilant to ensure all children wear sun hats and sun-cream. Wellington boots and rain suits are provided in the winter months to ensure learning in the outdoor environment is maximised. 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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