Childminder in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY218273 Inspection date 12/07/2011 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 has been a childminding since 1987. She lives with her husband and three adult children in Southend-on-Sea in Essex. The whole of the ground floor and the first floor bathroom are used for childminding. Accessibility to the premises is via three steps up to the front door. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a pet rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, three of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 10 years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

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

Children are fully engaged, interested and motivated in the exceptionally well- managed, welcoming, child-centred environment provided for them by the childminder. The childminder ensures all the children are supported in an inclusive environment where their individual needs and interests are maximised. The childminder instinctively supports children's learning and provides a good range of age and developmentally appropriate activities. Consequently, children are making good progress in their learning and development, although written records are not fully developed. Effective communication with parents, together with the positive support the childminder offers, leads to their individual needs being well met. The childminder is committed to developing her role and maintaining continuous improvement by keeping up-to-date with changes and attending training to increase her knowledge.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems for using children's next step in their learning to inform future planning to meet the children's individual needs 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

Children are well safeguarded and protected as required checks to determine suitability are in place. The childminder has a good understanding of the need to protect children from harm, and is aware of the indicators of abuse. A written child protection policy, which parents and carers are made aware of, ensures that they are clear about the childminder's responsibility to protect their children from harm and how she will deal with any concerns she may have. The environment is extremely safe and the childminder is proactive in minimising any risks to children. Risk assessments for each type of outing are effectively carried out, ensuring the safety of children when out and about.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good partnerships with parents and people involved with the children, which enable all to be heavily involved in decision making and daily routines. Parents receive good information regarding their child's day and progress as the childminder provides systems of communication, including lots of photographs and children's artwork. The childminder has a very good knowledge of each child's background and needs. She updates her knowledge and skills on a regular basis and effectively helps children to learn about and understand the society in which they live. The wonderful range of resources and activities fully promote children's development in all six areas of learning. In addition, furniture and equipment are of very high quality and suitable for the ages of children to support their learning and development. Children clearly benefit and thrive as a result of the setting they are in.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates her practice well. She is dedicated to further extend her practice in all areas. She is skilful in the adaptation of her practice and uses rigorous monitoring to ensure that continual reflection is used to bring about improvement. Documentation is detailed and all paperwork is methodically in place, including policies and procedures, risk assessments and contracts. The childminder promotes equality well within the setting, ensuring all children have access to the resources and play materials available. She differentiates the activities so children of all ages and stages can participate fully.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and relate well to adults. They learn how to share and take turns through good social interaction and play, as well as visits to toddler groups. All of these experiences develop young children's skills for the future. Children have access to various creative play activities and use their imagination well. For example, children choose from a wide range of materials and media to make things, such as hanging mobiles and an array of different collage pictures. The childminder has developed a clear understanding of the early learning goals and how to support children to make good progress towards them. She plans activities based on the children's interests. However, a system to ensure that the childminder consistently promotes the next steps in individual children's progress is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 not fully in place. Children are provided with a good variety of learning activities

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and outcomes for children

and experiences. Children's independence is fostered well as they make choices about their play from the easily accessible resources. Children are introduced to number through puzzles and taking part in number rhymes. Basic mathematical concepts are introduced through practical and meaningful activities. For example, when baking cakes, biscuits and bread, children learn about weighing and different quantities. Children's communication and language is developed well through the childminder's positive interaction and effective questioning. Children take part in physical activities and show good control as they carefully negotiate the ride-on scooters through the childminder's home. They enjoy being out in the fresh air, and the childminder gets them actively involved in planting, growing and caring for the plants and vegetables in the garden. The vegetables are then tasted at meal times, helping children learn about where food comes from.

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and outcomes for children

An outstanding aspect of the childminder's play setting is the colourful and attractive nature of the learning environment. This provides children with many opportunities for choosing and exploring resources, and children's knowledge and understanding of the world is well fostered. Regular outdoor learning takes place. For example, during the school holidays the children enjoy attending a wide variety of outings where they meet people and explore their local area. Visits to venues, such as the zoo, the park and the woods, build on children's curiosity in nature, animals and wildlife. Children's healthy growth and development is successfully supported, and the childminder works well with parents to ensure children have a good range of healthy foods and snacks provided. To support children's healthy development, a wide range of physical activities are encouraged. For example, good use is made of the back garden, with many games and fun activities provided

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and outcomes for children

to support children's balance and coordination. They enjoy climbing on the large climbing frame in the back garden, and this helps to develop their physical skills. Children become aware of the diverse world in which they live through toys, resources and activities provided which reflect different cultures.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn how to keep themselves safe through the childminder's gentle explanations and support. They take part in evacuation practices to raise their awareness of what to do in an emergency situation. Children's behaviour is managed through positive strategies, such as praise and encouragement, reflection time and discussion. Children are confident in using language to express themselves. From a young age, children make their needs known and communicate their opinions because the childminder responds positively to their attempts to talk. Children follow daily hygiene routines of washing hands before eating, and wipes are used for younger children to help minimise spread of germs. Children benefit from the provision of healthy snacks of fresh fruit and vegetables they recognise when they feel thirsty and have a drink. The thoughtful childminder makes sure that young children's needs are met well, offering regular drinks and

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and outcomes for children

linking closely with parents about their individual feeding patterns. 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 1 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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