Childminder, Out-of school day care in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 202905 Inspection date 12/10/2011 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 1993. She lives with her husband and their two adult children. They live in a house in a residential area within walking distance of schools and shops in Chelmsford. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children under the age of five years. The childminder is currently caring for two children in this age range, one of whom is in full-time education. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for 11 children over the age of five, five of whom are aged over eight years. The childminder walks to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The family has three cats, a dog and two guinea pigs as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support from Local Authority advisors.

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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 a safe and secure environment. The organisation of the childminder's home provides space for children to become fully engaged in play and learning. The childminder supports learning well in order to ensure that children make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder works well with parents and other professionals, in order to identify and meet children's varying needs. A simple system of self-evaluation is in place to support continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 make use of sensitive observational assessment in order to plan and provide experiences which are appropriate to each child's stage of development  improve the system of self-evaluation in order to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision  provide further opportunities for children to develop an interest in cultural and religious differences. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Effective steps are taken to monitor and assess safety, including daily risk assessments of the premises. Safety equipment, such as stair gates are in place and smoke detectors are checked regularly. The childminder is effective in safeguarding children. All relevant documents are in place and are successfully implemented in order to support the childminder in keeping children safe. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures. 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 simple system of self-evaluation in place. This effectively supports her in reflecting upon what she is doing well, though it is not yet used in order to identify areas for development to support continuous improvement. The childminder has been able to make improvements since her last inspection. She has ensured that all household members over the age of 16 have undergone checks through the Criminal Records Bureau and has obtained all the required written permissions from parents. This has helped the childminder to ensure that children are safeguarded and have their welfare needs met. The childminder has also started to introduce some elements of the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance, in order to improve her practice in supporting learning and development for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a comfortable and welcoming environment. She makes good use of the available space to provide children with different areas in which to play, as well as regular access to the garden. The childminder manages and stores resources so that children can see what is available and can access most items independently. The childminder also makes good use of the local facilities, such as parks, library and toddler groups to support children in making good progress towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

All children are cared for in line with their individual needs. The childminder works closely with parents to ensure that she can care for children in line with parents' wishes and to agree consistent approaches, for example, behaviour management. Children's family and cultural backgrounds are respected. The childminder establishes a regular exchange of information with parents. She completes a daily diary for young children and often sends parents text messages during the day. Parents comment positively about the childminder, writing that they like the balance of fun and discipline and that she is able to meet their needs in relation to their changing work patterns. They also say that their children are safe and happy in her care and are treated as individuals. The childminder has established good links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as school and pre-school staff. This allows her to ensure a regular exchange of relevant

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the early years provision

information when children attend other settings. 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 is effective in supporting learning and development. She provides a good range of stimulating and age-appropriate toys and resources, most of which children are able to access independently. Good use of praise and encouragement helps children to enjoy learning and to feel secure in having a go at new things. Children are supported in developing their ideas and understanding through good use of questions and discussion. The childminder has started to keep a log of each child's learning journey. This includes observations of what children can do and have done, illustrated with photographs. The childminder has started to use this, in combination with her knowledge of how children learn, to help children to make progress. However, she is not yet basing planning on the next steps that individual children need to take, in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum guidance, in order to support them in making consistent progress

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and outcomes for children

Children are fully engaged in their play. They are supported in choosing the activities which are of interest to them and enjoy talking about what they are doing. Good use of resources, such as board games and puzzles support children in enjoying learning and playing together. Resources and activities cover all areas of learning. For example, children express their imaginations through a wide range of art and craft activities, including leaf collage and making Valentine's cards. Children learn about the world around them as they visit the local nature reservoir or nearby parks and woods. They experience the changing seasons, for example, by building a snowman in the winter. Children act out real-life situations, such as visiting the vet or doing the shopping, helping them to develop their vocabulary and communication skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to develop skills for the future. They are supported in practising early reading and writing skills as they learn letter sounds and enjoy sharing books and stories. Children learn to count in practical contexts, for example, checking that all of the puzzle pieces are there. They use Information and Communication Technology equipment, such as calculators in their play, helping to develop confidence in using technology in everyday life. Children concentrate at one task for age-appropriate lengths of time, enabling them to make good progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and understand the rules which are in place for their safety. For example, they know not to run ahead when walking to school and not to take things from the kitchen cupboards. Children practise fire evacuation procedures, helping to prepare them for emergencies. Children feel very safe and secure with the childminder and enjoy playing games, such as hide and seek with her. Children learn to respect each other and value each other's differences. Home traditions are shared, allowing children to feel fully included and to learn more about each other. However, there are a lack of opportunities for children to learn about difference and diversity in the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a good understanding of simple hygiene routines, such as hand This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 washing and are encouraged to be as independent as possible. Children enjoy helping to care for the childminder's pets and this provides good opportunities for them to learn about health and hygiene. Children exercise on a daily basis, walking to and from school and visiting local parks. They also have regular access to the garden where they can access a range of equipment, such as tricycles, stilts and skipping ropes. The childminder supports parents in sending in healthy packed lunches and ensures that drinks are freely available at all times. 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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