Spurr, Christina Helen

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY416943 Inspection date 06/06/2011 Inspector Patricia Champion

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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. She lives with her husband, who acts as an assistant and two children aged two and five years. They live in a house in a residential area in Chelmsford, Essex. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding. Access is via two low steps into the front door. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding four children in the early years age group, who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The 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 walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis. She 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

The childminder recognises and celebrates each child's individuality and effectively promotes inclusive practice so that all children feel secure and valued. She has good working relationships with parents and other early years professionals and this ensures that children's needs are well met. Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder deploys her resources well and provides a generally broad range of stimulating learning opportunities. The childminder has developed systems for self-evaluation to identify her strengths and areas for further development. She is totally committed to providing a safe and happy environment for the children she cares for.

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further?

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

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further?

 encourage parents to add their comments about children's learning at home to the development records  extend the range of natural and sensory materials available for children to explore, investigate and experiment with.

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the early years provision

The childminder is efficiently organised and has devised an effective range of policies and procedures to promote the welfare and safety of the children. She has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a clear understanding of how to safeguard the children in her care and has attended training so that she knows the steps to take if she has any concerns about their well-being. The childminder ensures that only adults who have had background checks through the Criminal Records Bureau supervise the children. Risk assessments are carried out and reviewed at regular intervals regarding the premises and any outings. Smoke alarms are frequently checked and the childminder makes good use of items such as safety gates and cupboard locks to keep children safe. All the regulatory documentation such as registers, accident and medication records are kept up-to-date. Both the childminder and her

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the early years provision

assistant hold current paediatric first aid certificates so that they can deal with minor injuries in an approved way.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an effective equal opportunities policy and values and respects each individual child. Parents supply information about children's routines, interests and capabilities right from the start to ensure that the care meets their unique requirements. Children have access to resources that are representative of diversity and they are encouraged to have a positive attitude and respect for themselves and other people.

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the early years provision

A positive and enthusiastic commitment to continually improving the provision is shown through the childminder's completion of an accurate self-evaluation. She clearly identifies areas where she feels she is strong and areas where there is room to improve. All the mandatory training has been attended and the childminder is keen to attend more workshops and childcare courses. The childminder meets with other early years professionals to share ideas and widen her childcare knowledge. She has also established effective communication with the nearby pre-school and reception teachers in the local primary school to enhance the continuity in children's learning so that they achieve as much as they can.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the professional and friendly partnership with parents. Clear contracts and all the required written parental permissions have been obtained to ensure that children are cared for in line with their parents' wishes. There is good verbal communication and daily diaries are shared so that parents know how their children have spent each day. Parents are fully consulted about the care of their children and in recent questionnaires commented on how pleased they were with the service provided. Parents regularly get to see their children's learning journals. However, the two-way flow of information is not yet fully established as parents are not yet contributing their comments about children's learning at home to these development records.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and develop good relationships with the childminder. They are interested learners who engage happily in activities and remain fully engrossed. Children develop important skills to support their future learning as a result of the quality of the interaction they have with the childminder, who skilfully promotes their communication, literacy and numeracy. The childminder appreciates the important role she has in setting a good example and her calm, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 gentle manner in all dealings with children helps to create a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Children's confidence and self-esteem grows as they respond to praise and encouragement. Positive observations are made of children's achievements and the childminder effectively identifies their next steps with links to the areas of learning. Well-chosen photographs are used to support the

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and outcomes for children

observations and the childminder carefully tracks children's progress to ensure that there are no gaps in learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children access a variety of good-quality play materials and books, which are regularly rotated to provide added interest and stimulation. The childminder takes account of varying needs and interests. Babies have ample space to practise their developing mobility and all toys within their reach are safe to explore using mouth or hands. They are curious about shapes and sounds and develop problem solving skills as they play with brightly coloured role play materials, puzzles and activity equipment. Further consideration for developing the range of natural and sensory materials available for children to explore, investigate and experiment with, has the potential to extend and enhance children's experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Children's awareness of healthy lifestyles is well supported. Fresh air and exercise is a feature of their everyday experiences, whether going to different parks and playgrounds or playing in the garden. The importance of good personal hygiene practices is stressed through normal daily routines such as using an individual wipe to clean hands prior to eating. A broad variety of healthy, nutritious meals and snacks are provided and children are encouraged to try and taste new foods. Children are also beginning to become involved in growing vegetables, which they intend to help care for, harvest and eat. Children learn about staying safe as the childminder constantly talks about her actions and enables children to move safely around the environment. On outings they gain road safety awareness. Special trips to the zoo, a castle and indoor play centres also enhance children's knowledge and understanding of the world and their physical development.

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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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