Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY422301 Inspection date 08/09/2011 Inspector Marilyn Peacock

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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 2011. She lives with her partner and two young sons in Romford in the London Borough of Havering. The childminder's home is a three bedroom end of terrace house close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom one may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in the early years age group on a part time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 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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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children have only been attending the childminder for a short time and are settling in well. Their welfare is safeguarded through the implementation of suitable safety procedures including generally effective risk assessments. Children are making sound progress although the systems in place to identify, monitor and assess their individual achievements are still in their infancy. Resources indoors and in the garden are plentiful giving children lots of opportunities to explore and investigate. However resources reflecting wider society, different abilities and culture are few. The childminder has plans for improvement that are likely to improve the outcomes for children and is committed to continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems for observing and assessing children's progress and use them to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child, for example by linking observations to the expectations of the early learning goals  provide more positive images, resources and activities to help children embrace differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop systems for monitoring and evaluating practice to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips and to ensure it covers anything with which a child may come into contact.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of the possible signs and symptoms of abuse, the reporting procedure and she also has local safeguarding contact details readily available. Therefore, she is able to act in children's best interest should she have concerns. The childminder provides a safe and clean environment for children to play in. She carries out regular risk assessments of the home and daily safety checks. Therefore she can identify potential hazards and put in place effective precautions to minimise accidents and keep children safe. However, although she risk assesses all outings she takes the children on she does not keep a record of these assessments in order to be able to review them in light of change. There are also some aspects of the garden that pose a risk to children. Appropriate fire detection and control equipment is in place and the childminder has devised a fire evacuation procedure which will be practised with the children to help them

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the early years provision

Most records and documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the Early Years Foundation Stage are in place. Parents are encouraged to spend time settling children into the childminder's home. Therefore, children can get to know the childminder's family and become familiar with the house and garden. This also gives the childminder the opportunity to find out each child's background and their unique characteristics. Parents receive appropriate information on how their child has spent their day through daily diaries and informal verbal discussions at the start and end of the day. The childminder organises her resources suitably so that children can make safe and independent choices in their play. The childminder demonstrates a positive commitment to equality and diversity and she promotes equal opportunities through meeting children's individual needs well. However, children have little access to resources which reflect positive images of

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the early years provision

diversity and support them in having respectful attitudes towards all people in society.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands the need to develop links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she intends talking to providers to help promote continuity of care. The childminder has yet to introduce formal systems to help her identify key strengths and areas for development in her provision. However, she has a realistic view of the service she provides and is keen make any necessary improvements. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder shares a caring relationship with the children she looks after. The environment is clean, tidy and well maintained. Resources are stored at a low level to enable children to self select. This helps children learn independent skills. Activities are pitched at children's stage of development. Children are gradually becoming more mobile and the childminder makes sure they have sufficient space to move around safely and confidently. She is on hand to offer encouragement and lots of cuddles to help them overcome their anxieties and start to feel safe in the relatively new environment. The childminder recognises resources the children enjoy and she ensures that their favourite toys are at hand to provide security. Children smile as she helps them push the buttons on musical toys. She talks to them about the noises the animals make on the animal train while children bite on the animals' ears.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has began to observe children's achievements but has not yet started to identify how she plans to move children's learning and development on to help them progress successfully toward the early leaning goals. The childminder has developed a behaviour management policy which she shares with parents. She is keen to develop systems which look at the positive side of behaviour and encourages acceptable behaviour through lots of praise and encouragement and explanation as to why some behaviour is unacceptable.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder implements suitable hygiene routines. She tries to take children out in the fresh air each day with trips to the local shops and walking to the local park. Children are offered drinks regularly to help ensure they don't become thirsty and snacks include fresh fruit. Currently parents provide all children's main meals which the childminder heats and stores according to their wishes. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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