Childminder in Southend on Sea

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY343766 Inspection date 19/10/2011 Inspector Jennifer Beckles

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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. He lives with his wife and one child aged eight years in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, and when working with another minder he is registered to care for a maximum of six children. There are four children on roll who attend on a part-time basis, two of whom are in the early years age range. He walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has a cat.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are making exceptional progress in their learning and development because the childminder has expert knowledge of the children and works very effectively with their parents and carers. This also ensures that children's individual needs are well met. Children's learning is well supported by the rich and varied range of toys and resources available to them. The childminder regularly evaluates the quality of his provision and has astute awareness of his strengths and weaknesses. He is fully committed to continually improving his provision for the future.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 improve risk assessments to cover anything with which a child may come into contact, with reference to the kitchen.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and well protected in the setting because the childminder has excellent knowledge of local safeguarding procedures, including contact details if he is concerned about a child. All household members are suitably vetted. Overall, children are kept safe while in the childminder's care because he has a strong portfolio of health and safety policies and procedures, including risk assessments, that cover the main areas that children use for childminding purposes within his home and garden and while on outings. Although children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supervised well, prevention of unsupervised access to the kitchen by children is not fully covered by risk assessments. This presents a minor risk. Children behave in safe ways because the childminder has established shared ground rules for behaviour, such as no running indoors. Children are also further protected because

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the early years provision

the childminder keeps comprehensive records, including accident, medication and attendance records.

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the early years provision

The childminder has expert knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this very effectively to support children's learning. The environment is extremely well organised. It is a very stimulating and welcoming environment that reflects different backgrounds. There are a huge range of resources covering all areas of learning for children to choose from, such as a children's laptop with supporting software, electronic toys, and cause and effect resources. Children are able to choose what they would like to play with and can access most resources for themselves, such as construction sets, books and small world resources. This means that they are able to thrive and make excellent progress in their development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has astute awareness of his strengths and weaknesses. He continually looks for ways to improve his provision for the children and sets himself ambitious targets. For example, he plans to provide more care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilties. Although no recommendations were made at the last inspection, the childminder has initiated an improvement to his portfolio of policies and procedures.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms excellent working relationships with parents and carers. Parents' wishes and children's individual needs are well met because he obtains comprehensive information about each child's individual needs. The childminder shares exceptionally detailed child development records with parents regularly. Furthermore, his highly innovative practice involves sending email requests to parents for updates on their child's interests and skills so that they can contribute to their child's development record. This means that parents can become effectively and meaningfully involved in their child's learning and each child is exceptionally well supported in making progress towards the early learning goals. Exemplary relationships with other provisions and professionals involved with the children are firmly established and contribute well to supporting children's welfare and learning. For instance, links with health professionals who support children

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the early years provision

with special educationl needs and/or disabilties assist the childminder by offering advice on care and education plans.

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the early years provision

The childminder offers highly committed and sustained support and experience of caring for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children develop extremely positive attitudes towards themselves and others because the childminder talks to them about differences and challenges any discriminatory comments. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy being in this setting and are familiar and very secure in their routines because the childminder is meticulous about meeting their needs. The children display high levels of confidence and independence. Overall, children are able to move freely and safely around the setting because the childminder ensures their environment is safe. For example, each day he carries out various risk assessments to identify and rectify any potential risks.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is exceptionally well promoted by the childminder. They have an excellent understanding of how to stop the spread of infection and support younger children in hand washing before and after eating and after using the toilet. The children have a deep and thorough knowledge of the benefits of eating healthily because the childminder discusses the nutritional value of food and because they plant and grow fruit and vegetables at the childminder's allotment. The children wash the vegetables and fruit in preparation for menus which they have chosen for themselves. They get fresh air and exercise by using the garden or visiting the local park daily, where they develop a range of effective physical skills, such as running and balancing. Children show exceptional understanding of the benefits of exercise as they observe the effect of exercise on their body.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making excellent progress towards the early learning goals because the childminder plans rich, varied and imaginative activities around their needs and interests. He carefully and regularly observes what they can do and records their progress so that their next steps are clearly identified by referring to the early learning goals. Children develop very effective language skills. They consistently enjoy looking at books, enthusiastically turning pages to find their favourite picture and talking about what they can see. The childminder provides rich and varied role play scenarios and puppet theatres that enhance all aspects of language development. During play, children eagerly experiment with words, negotiate roles, question and respond to each other. The children have plenty of opportunities to make marks, write and draw using crayons, colouring pencils and felt pens. Children learn to count in everyday situations, such as on shopping trips when they

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and outcomes for children

count items or through saying number rhymes. A myriad of opportunities support shape recognition and problem solving, such as use of puzzles and board games. Children develop an excellent understanding of the world by playing with small world toys, such as railway tracks and farm animals.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave exceptionally well in this setting. This is because the childminder sets high expectations and clear ground rules for behaviour. He uses age- appropriate strategies, such as distraction techniques for very young children, along with praise and reward. Children play very well together by cooperating and sharing ideas and resources, and happily accept responsibility. Children learn about their own and other cultures and beliefs because they have an excellent range of highly suitable resources and celebrate many festivals, including birthdays, Diwali, and Chinese New Year. 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 1 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 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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