Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY338431 Inspection date 10/10/2011 Inspector Lynne Hughes

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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 partner and one adult child, in Colchester, Essex. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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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 two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, and who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. 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

This childminder delivers the welfare, learning and development aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage to a good standard. Well-presented resources enable children to make choices and to guide their play, they participate in some activities which enable them to explore other people's cultures and beliefs. Parents play an active role in their children's development and the childminder has systems in place to work in partnership with other early years settings. The childminder shows commitment to maintaining continuous development by reflecting on her practices, however, at present evidence of this process is limited.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure self-evaluation clearly identifies specific areas for future improvements in practice, and the impact on outcomes for children  improve the range of resources, activities and positive images of diversity and disability and provide support so children learn to respect and value differences, helping them to develop positive and caring attitudes towards others.

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the early years provision

Children are well-protected and safeguarded. The childminder demonstrates secure understanding of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. She has a well-written safeguarding policy which is shared with parents and informs them of her responsibilities and the processes she would follow. All adults living on the premises are vetted and proof of their clearance is held on file. The safety of the childminder's home is checked on a daily basis to ensure that children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play and learn in a safe and secure environment.

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the early years provision

The childminder embraces the changes introduced through the Early Years Foundation Stage and feels confident that she is covering all aspects. She is committed to keeping up-to-date with changes in the childcare world and achieves this through training, liaising with other registered childminders and through the internet and childcare publications. She has some plans for the future which include further training and hopes to extend her current knowledge of safeguarding children. Some self-evaluation has taken place since the last inspection, however, this is not well-recorded.

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the early years provision

Children play in a bright and well-equipped home in which they have use of a number of areas on the ground floor of the property. They move confidently between the kitchen and the playroom where a large and exciting selection of resources are presented at their height for easy self-selection. The childminder is on hand at all times, to supervise and facilitate the children's play. She interacts well with them, encouraging them to develop their language skills and to explore their environment safely. Every child is valued and respected within the childminder's care. She spends essential time getting to know the children and the whole family in the early days of caring for them to provide her with a clear understanding of their individual requirements. Some toys, books and resources reflect diversity and equality and enable children to learn about other people, however, this knowledge is not further extended through appropriate activities and

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the early years provision

The childminder works effectively with parents to develop a partnership which enables them to share relevant information and to communicate well. They provide her with verbal and written feedback on her provision and she takes on board any comments which would have a positive impact on her provision. Partnerships in the wider context are actively encouraged by the childminder, for example, when children attend more than one early years setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a fun and exciting time with the childminder, exploring play indoors and outdoors on a daily basis. They enjoy her company and interact well with her, approaching her for a reassuring cuddle as well as to facilitate their play. Well- presented toys and play equipment enables children to develop independence skills and to make decisions about their learning. For example, they successfully take apart and put back together a range of puzzles. They draw pictures with coloured pencils and post shapes into appropriate holes using a range of shape sorters. Children name objects and repeat the childminder's speech, enabling them to develop further their language skills. They excitedly access the garden and outdoor toys such as a plastic car, trikes and balls. They know that additional equipment is stored in the play shed. The childminder observes and records children's play and learning in their individual learning journals. She supports her observations with

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and outcomes for children

photographs and links the activities to areas of learning. Children's next steps in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning are recorded and planned for.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave in ways which show that they are very confident and that they feel safe within the childminder's home. They move freely around the areas available to them and show no concern when strangers are present. They generally enjoy each other's company and any age-appropriate rivalry is efficiently resolved by the childminder encouraging them to share the toys and to be kind to each other. Children learn about keeping safe when playing indoors and when walking along the road as the childminder reminds them about road safety and how to remain safe. Clear procedures are in place to ensure that children's welfare needs are well-met, for example, children learn good hygiene habits, such as hand washing after using the toilet as the childminder gently reminds them. Children explore fresh air and exercise on a daily basis when they play in the childminder's garden and when they go for walks and trips in the local area. Their snacks and

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and outcomes for children

meals are well balanced and include a good amount of fresh fruit and vegetables.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and confident in the childminder's care. Their self-esteem and confidence is expertly promoted by the childminder constantly praising and encouraging them. They understand the childminder's simple house rules and follow her lead with regard to her boundaries and expectations. An exciting range of indoor and outdoor activities enable children to develop essential skills for the future across all six areas of learning. For example, appropriate large scale equipment in the garden promotes their physical development. An interesting selection of dressing-up clothes and role play resources enables them to express themselves imaginatively and a good selection of craft materials allow children to explore their creative talents. 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 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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