Smith, Karen Melinda

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY104248 Inspection date 09/09/2011 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 children aged 11 and 14 years. They live in a house in a residential area within walking distance of schools, shops and park in Rayleigh, Essex. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two rabbits.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years and Compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age range and four children aged between five and eight years. She is also registered on the Voluntary part of the Childcare Register and is currently minding four children over the age of eight.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and takes children to the local park and library. She is a member of the National Childminding Association. The childminder is accredited to receive funding for children eligible for free early education.

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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 an extremely safe and secure environment where they can become fully engaged in play and learning. The childminder works highly effectively with parents and other professionals to successfully identify and meet children's individual needs. Continuing professional development ensures that the childminder has the skills to help children make excellent progress. A process of self-evaluation is in place to support the childminder in reflecting on the quality of the service she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 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 extremely effective in safeguarding children. All policies and records are in place and are successfully implemented in order to support the childminder in keeping children safe. Highly effective steps are taken to protect children, including very detailed risk assessments of the premises and for each type of outing. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection procedures and keeps this up-to-date through further training. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 makes her responsibility to protect children clear to parents. Current training in first aid is in place, allowing the childminder to act quickly in the event of an accident or emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a well-established system of self-evaluation in place. This effectively supports her to identify what she is doing well and the impact her practice has on promoting positive outcomes for children. However. this process does not yet fully include the identification of areas for further development in order to fully support continuous improvement. The childminder has made a range of improvements since her last inspection. As a result of this she is now able to ensure that all the relevant paperwork is in place and that outcomes for children are evaluated to support children's learning and development. The childminder continues to improve her skills, through regular training. Since her last inspection the childminder has also completed aNational Vocational Qualification at level 4,in Children's Learning Care and Development.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes effective use of space within her home 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. The childminder stores resources very well to ensure that children can see what is available and have free access to a range of activities. She also makes good use of her garden and the local environment to support learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes excellent relationships with parents. She shares the full range of written policies and procedures with them. This provides a clear picture of the care she provides and gives them opportunity to ask questions. The childminder is available to chat to each day, and also completes a daily diary. In addition to this individual development files are sent home each half term, ensuring that parents are up-to-date on the progress their children are making. Relevant parental permissions are obtained, ensuring that the childminder can care for children in line with parents wishes. Parents views are sought annually through formal questionnaires and extremely positive feedback is recorded. Parents comment that their children settle in quickly and they greatly appreciate the childminder's flexibility.

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the early years provision

The childminder has also established effective links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This allows her to support continuity of care when children also attend other settings as well as ensuring an exchange of relevant information. She also works very well with other childminder's in her local area and seeks advice and support from local authority development workers. This supports her in providing high quality care and education through sharing good practice.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder works very closely with parents to identify which stage children have reached in their learning and development, in order to be able to plan appropriate activities for individuals, from the very beginning. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 keeps a detailed log of what children can do and uses this information to plan future activities for individual children. This ensures that all activities are tailored extremely closely to what each child needs to do in order to make progress. Activities cover a range of areas of learning, ensuring that children make excellent progress towards all of the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very well supported by the childminder who is attentive to their changing needs. She is also very positive as she interacts with them, helping to develop an enthusiasm for learning. Children are encouraged to think and discuss their ideas, fostering the development of independent learning skills. Children are enthusiastic and engaged learners. Young children are able to concentrate on one activity for an appropriate length of time, both independently and with adult support.

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and outcomes for children

Children communicate with confidence and have a good vocabulary. They talk animatedly about the things which interest them, showing excitement when they see a squirrel in the garden or as they hear an aeroplane fly by. Building with construction toys helps children to develop problem solving skills as well as supporting counting and shape-recognition. Children have ample opportunities to express their creativity as they play musical instruments, model with play foam or create collage butterflies. Children develop real-life skills as they regularly cook and enjoy helping to hang out washing, counting and talking about numbers as they do so. Older children are well supported in completing their homework to a good standard.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave extremely well and understand how to keep themselves safe. For example, they know why they need to stay out of the kitchen while the oven is on. Walks around the local environment provide children with daily opportunities to practise road safety skills. Children are able to explain the safety reasons for wearing high visibility tops when visiting busy places. Children have an excellent relationship with the childminder and clearly feel secure in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop good hygiene skills and are becoming more independent in using the toilet. They understand the benefits of physical activity. Regular opportunities to exercise are provided by walks from school, trips to local parks and woods, as well as, free access to the garden. Children enjoy a good range of balanced and nutritious snacks and meals. Fresh fruit and vegetables are always included and fresh drinking water is constantly available through individual beakers.

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and outcomes for children

Children become fully involved in the setting and the wider community. They devise the menu for the following week together, allowing them to contribute and also to think of the needs of others. They take part in activities to develop their awareness of charity work, for example by making biscuits for a fund-raising event. Children learn about the world around them as they find out about a range of religious and cultural festivals, such as Diwali. All children show respect towards each other, with older children showing a sense of responsibility towards younger 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 1 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 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 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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