Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY422338 Inspection date 11/10/2011 Inspector Sarah Clements

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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 three children aged nine, 13 and 13 years in West Mersea, Essex. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with the exception of two bedrooms, a bathroom and the garden. Children access the local park and beach for outdoor play. The family has a pet cat.

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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, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in the early years age group who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently supporting a number of children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and a number of children who have English as an additional language.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder escorts children to and from local schools and pre-schools. She attends local social groups with the children and takes them on regular outings.

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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 access a wide range of interesting resources and enjoy learning through their play in an inclusive environment. Systematic use of observation and assessments enables the childminder to plan and promote children's good progress towards the early learning goals. Most of the required documentation is in place to ensure the safe and efficient management of the provision. Opportunities to work in partnership with parents, carers and other early years settings are well established, ensuring children experience good levels of continuity in their care, learning and development. The childminder actively evaluates her early years provision, enabling her to identify clear areas for improvement that promote positive outcomes for children.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 maintain a record of risk assessment, clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 31/10/2011

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  ensure the daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance is kept fully up-to-date  provide more positive images, activities and resources that challenge children's thinking and help them to embrace differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of how to protect children from harm. For example, she regularly updates her knowledge of safeguarding children issues to ensure she is able to confidently identify and report any concerns about a child's welfare. All necessary checks are completed to ensure children only come into contact with suitable people. Thorough risk assessments are carried out each day to ensure children play in a very safe environment, and each type of outing is well planned and fully assessed to minimise any further hazards. However, the childminder does not keep an up-to-date written record of these risk assessments to meet the Early Years Foundation Stage requirement. A good range of play resources and equipment are offered in the spacious home, these are managed well to ensure they are safe, stimulating and fun. The layout of resources in the playroom is well organised to promote equality of opportunity and ensure all

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the early years provision

children are able to participate in all activities.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are very effective. The childminder fosters professional yet supportive relationships with parents, ensuring they feel at ease in discussing their children's changing needs on a daily basis. The childminder shares her observations of children's achievements with their parents and creates opportunities for them to support their children's learning at home. For example, children are provided with a set of number flash cards to take home to share with their parents. The childminder links up with practitioners who care for children at a local playgroup to discuss the learning themes they are covering and to extend these in her own setting. This means that children experience good progression and continuity in their learning and care.

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the early years provision

Overall, a good range of documentation underpins the childminder's practice and ensures the smooth running of the setting. However, the record of children's daily hours of attendance is not always kept fully up-to-date to ensure this information is readily available at all times. The childminder makes good use of the internet for gathering new ideas to enhance outcomes for children's learning and development, and her use of a narrative daily diary demonstrates her strong reflective approach. There are well-targeted plans in place to develop the provision, particularly in relation to adapting the premises to enable children to access the childminder's garden. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are comfortable and content in the company of the childminder. They confidently interact with her as they engage in a wide range of play activities. Much of children's play is led by themselves as they explore and develop various imaginative role play situations. The childminder fosters their interests by offering resources, such as, blankets, dolls and household equipment to bring more meaning to their play. Whilst playing, children are encouraged to act out scenarios that help them to learn how to keep themselves safe. For example, they confidently remind the childminder that they must be careful with the water in the imaginary kettle as it is hot. Opportunities for children to practise their early writing skills are good. For example, they make confident attempts to write 'happy birthday' in a card for their friend, using the childminder's writing as a guide. The childminder extends children's literacy skills as she draws their attention to the

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and outcomes for children

letters printed on the food packets in their lunch boxes. Inclusive practice is reflected in the support given to children who have English as an additional language. For example, the childminder actively encourages children to use their home languages at the setting, as she puts her ability to speak both English and French to very good use. Children delight in singing a wide range of number songs and rhymes which help to consolidate their counting skills. There are good opportunities for children to attempt everyday tasks for themselves. For example, they learn to use tools with increasing control as they use a knife to spread and cut up their own sandwiches.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is confident in observing children's play and is able to link children's progress to the relevant areas of learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She maintains a meaningful development record for each child which includes rich observations and examples of children's artwork. As a result, the childminder has good understanding of each child's stage of development she is able to support any gaps in their achievement. The childminder's planning is flexible enough to embrace spontaneous learning opportunities. For example, when a child finds a sycamore seed, they are encouraged to watch it twirling to the ground like a helicopter and have opportunities to look at the seeds inside. Children's awareness of the natural world is extended further as they visit the nearby beach to search for small crabs. Although children are developing positive impressions of people's similarities and

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and outcomes for children

differences through everyday discussions, the use of resources and positive images to challenge children's thinking about diversity and the wider world is less purposeful at this stage. Children are developing a strong understanding of good behaviour because of the childminder's calm manner and use of positive role modeling. They are keen to behave well as she spends a great deal of time listening to what they say and praising their efforts.

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and outcomes for children

Children lead healthy lifestyles at the setting and have daily opportunities to play outside in the fresh air. They master strong physical skills as they access the large play apparatus at the local park and strengthen their control and balance as they learn to ride a scooter. Children benefit from being cared for in a home which is maintained to a very comfortable and clean standard. They are encouraged to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 manage their own personal hygiene routines from a young age as the childminder provides child-friendly facilities. These include a step to help children to reach the sink and individual towels positioned on low-level hooks. Children's awareness of healthy living is promoted further through ongoing discussions about good dental hygiene and healthy eating choices. 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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