Gibson, Cheryl Jean

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY229509 Inspection date 06/07/2011 Inspector Jenny Howell

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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 has been registered since 2002. She lives with her husband and their two children aged nine and five. They live in a residential area of Rayleigh, Essex, close to shops, schools and parks. All areas of the ground floor and garden are used for childminding. The childminder receives advice and guidance from the local authority.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years and is currently caring for four children in this age range. The childminder is also registered by Ofsted on 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 are cared for in a very safe and secure environment where they can become fully engaged in play and learning. The childminder works effectively with parents to successfully identify and meet children's individual needs. Additional training and relevant reading ensures that the childminder has the skills to help children make excellent progress. A system of self-evaluation supports the childminder in identifying what she does well and how effective she is in supporting children.

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further?

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

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further?

 Establish and maintain a regular two-way flow of information between providers, when children also attend other settings.  Develop the use of self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is effective in safeguarding children. All policies, documents and records are in place and are successfully implemented in order to support the childminder in protecting children. Steps are taken to keep children safe, including very detailed risk assessments of the premises and for different types of outings. Safety equipment, such as stair gates and smoke detectors, are in place to further promote children's safety. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and keeps this up-to-date through additional training. Current training in first aid is in place, allowing the childminder to act quickly in the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 event of an accident or emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder has introduced a system of self-evaluation. This supports her in reflecting upon what she is doing well, but is not yet used to identify weaknesses in order to fully support continuous improvement. The childminder makes very good use of space to provide children with areas in which to play freely as well as space to rest and relax more quietly. She uses a wide variety of resources to ensure that children are able to learn through first-hand play experiences, both planned and spontaneous. Some toys are stored so that children can access them independently. She also makes good use of the local environment to support learning and, as a result, of this is able to support children in making good progress towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes a regular exchange of information with parents. She shares her full range of written policies and procedures with parents when she first meets them. The childminder chats to parents on a daily basis and also completes a daily diary which goes home with children. This includes a variety of relevant information ranging from welfare issues, such as nappy changes, to the activities they have enjoyed that day. Learning and development folders are sent home once a term, ensuring that parents are kept up-to-date with the progress their children are making. All relevant parental permissions are obtained, ensuring that the childminder can care for children in line with parents' wishes. The childminder's efforts have not yet been successful in establishing links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, in order to support a regular exchange of relevant information about individual children.

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and outcomes for children

Effective use is made of all resources to support children in making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder engages extremely effectively with children, bringing learning opportunities into everyday play and conversations. She is also very positive and enthusiastic as she interacts with them. Very good use is made of the available space to provide children with different types of learning experiences, with children able to access many resources independently. Displays of children's artwork help to make the childminder's home feel warm and welcoming. Children are encouraged to think and solve problems for themselves. They are supported in working together, for example, to make dens.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder maintains a detailed log of a child's learning journey. This includes lots of detail about what children can do and have done, illustrated with photographs. The childminder then uses this, in combination with the Early Years Foundation Stage practice guidance, to identify which stage of development children have reached in each area of learning. The childminder is then able to plan and provide activities and resources which are carefully tailored to the learning and development needs of individual children. As a result of this, all children make extremely good progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are enthusiastic and engaged learners who enjoy a wide variety of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities. Very young children are able to concentrate on one activity for an appropriate length of time, both independently and with adult support. Children especially enjoy sharing books, talking about what they can see and making links with the world around them. Counting forms an integral part of the daily routine, giving children a practical understanding of numbers and their uses. Children have access to computers in order to develop their confidence in using technology.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about safety from an early age. Clear house rules are in place and the reasons for these are explained. Children learn about road safety as they play games which help them learn where to stop before crossing the road. Children behave extremely well and respond quickly to instruction from the childminder. Clear boundaries are in pace which help children to feel secure. Behaviour is managed in close consultation with parents so that a consistent approach is used at all times. Children learn to respect each other and their differences. They also learn about diversity around the world as they find out about different festivals and enjoy food from different cultures.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very well supported in learning to wash their hands and are encouraged to do this independently when they are old enough. Children have regular opportunities to exercise. They have access to the garden with a range of physical play equipment. Children also enjoy daily trips and walks around the local area to school, parks and to investigate the local wildlife. A healthy and varied menu is in place which helps the childminder ensure that children enjoy a balance of different types of food. Fresh, home-made food is provided by the childminder, who also supports parents who wish to send packed lunches. Fresh drinking water is available to children at all times. 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 1 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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