Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY340871 Inspection date 15/07/2011 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 2006. She lives with her husband and four children aged eight, 10, 13 and 15 years old. They live in a house in a residential area in Boreham, Essex. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding. Access is via one low step 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding two children in the early years age group. 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 groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and an approved childminding network.

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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 effectively recognises and meets children's unique needs and promotes their learning and development well. Children are happy and a high priority is given to their welfare and safety. Most of the essential documentation is well-maintained. The childminder's self-evaluation highlights the areas of good practice and notes areas for further development. She is committed to continuous improvement by attending training, obtaining relevant support and establishing highly effective partnerships.

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further?

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

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further?

 review and update policies and procedures to reflect current practice  encourage parents to contribute their comments about children's learning at home to the development records.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a very warm, welcoming and safe environment for children and their families. She has a secure understanding of how to safeguard the children in her care and knows how to record and report any concerns in line with the procedures of the Local Safeguarding Children Board. All adults likely to be in contact with the children have undergone the required background checks. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 All equipment is checked regularly to ensure that it is safe and clean for children to use. The documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the provision is mostly well-maintained. The risk assessments of the premises, garden and all outings are recorded in detail and ensure that possible hazards to children are minimised. Appropriate accident and medication records are kept and the childminder holds a current first aid certificate so that she can deal with minor

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the early years provision

injuries. However, there is potential for misunderstandings as some of the written policies and procedures shared with parents do not reflect current practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed excellent links with local schools, children's centres and the key persons in the nurseries the children attend. This ensures that there is continuity in their care and children are given exceptional support to help them with the transition into the reception year at school. Children benefit from the very friendly partnerships with parents and carers. The childminder gathers information about children's individual needs right from the start and implements contracts and consent agreements relating to the business arrangements and specific childcare requirements. Important certificates are displayed so that parents can easily see these and the childminder shares newsletters with information about forthcoming events and activities. Parents regularly get to see their children's development records with observations, examples of their artwork and discs containing a wealth of photographs. However, they are not yet fully involved in their children's learning

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the early years provision

through adding their own observations of children's achievements at home to these records. Parents are invited to share their views about the care provided and make very positive comments. They appreciate the energetic, bubbly, positive and creative nature of the childminder and value that children take part in well- researched and fun activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder regularly participates in training and Early Years Foundation Stage workshops to keep her practice fresh and well-informed. Self-evaluation is accurate and the childminder modestly evaluates her strengths and seeks areas for further development to consistently help her to improve the work she does with children and their families. The childminder demonstrates a very positive attitude to providing an inclusive environment. Visual prompts are used to convey messages and the childminder seeks dual language books for children who speak English as an additional language. Children take part in activities to celebrate festivals from around the world and see positive images of diversity in the readily available resources and toys they handle everyday. These influences teach the children to respect and value other people and other ways of life.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel secure and welcome in the childminder's home. They respond well to the childminder's enthusiasm and motivation and clearly enjoy their learning. Children have a strong sense of belonging because the childminder is proactive in ensuring that they can easily access resources and feel comfortable. They behave well because the childminder has effective strategies to ensure that children remember right from wrong and act responsibly. Interaction between the childminder and children is lively and animated. The childminder fosters their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 developing communication skills by discussing with them all the time and supporting them when they use their imagination, for example, when they creatively act out scenarios together using a 'Story Kebab'. Plenty of praise and encouragement is given to acknowledge children's good attempts and

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and outcomes for children

accomplishments and this raises confidence and self-esteem. Highly perceptive observations and assessments of the children help the childminder to plan interesting and varied learning experiences that take account of individual starting points, abilities and interests. The childminder compiles beautifully presented books for each child with examples of their creations linked to recent learning experiences.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes account of the different ways in which children learn and plans games based on their interests to specifically encourage their problem solving and numeracy skills, for example, children really enjoy playing 'Dinosaur Dash'. Outings and outdoor play are a major contribution to children's overall development and external resources in the community are extremely well used. For example, children develop their physical and number skills using equipment, such as, balls and hoops in the garden or use more challenging and adventurous apparatus in nearby parks. They learn about the natural world making visits to country parks or discovery centres and regularly visit the childminder's allotment to plant and water the vegetables they are growing. Children use their artistic and creative skills both inside and outdoors and explore colour using paint and chalks in the garden. They work out that they need to weigh the paper with stones in

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and outcomes for children

each corner to prevent the wind blowing it away. Regular cooking sessions are organised so that children learn practical skills in meaningful ways.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe because the childminder has a very good understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. They understand what to do when the childminder tests her smoke alarms, know to wear sun hats in hot weather and learn about road safety as they walk to and from school or nursery. Effective hygiene procedures are in place with individual towels and liquid soap within easy reach. Children learn about the healthy food as they eat lunch boxes prepared by parents or taste the vegetables they grow on the allotment. 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 1 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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