Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY337778 Inspection date 25/10/2011 Inspector Lisa Mayes

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and adult daughter. They live in a house on the outskirts of Witham, Essex located within walking distance of local shops and schools. The ground floor of the childminder's house, and one bedroom where children sleep, is currently used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder holds a CACHE level 3 diploma in home based childcare.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of these three can be in the early years age group, with one under one. She is currently minding 10 children on a part-time basis. When working with an assistant they can care for 10 children under eight years, of whom four can be in the early years age range, two of whom can be below one year.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 where they can become fully engaged in play and learning. As a result, children make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder works well with parents in order to identify and meet children's varying needs. A simple system of self-evaluation is in place to support continuous improvement. Continuing professional development supports the childminder in providing good quality care and education. However the childminder needs to develop the use of self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for the future to improve the quality of the provision for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 identify how observations of children's learning and development link to the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to demonstrate that children are making progress towards the early learning goals  develop the use of self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for the future that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is effective in safeguarding children. All policies, documents 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 keep This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children safe, including very detailed risk assessments of the premises and for different types of outings. Safety equipment, such as stair gates, cupboard locks and smoke detectors, are in place to further promote children's safety. Current training in paediatric first aid allows 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 continues to improve and develop her skills through training.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a welcoming environment. She makes good use of the available space to provide children with different areas in which to play and free access to the garden. The childminder manages and stores resources so that children can see what is available, and can access some toys independently. The childminder makes good use of the local environment, such as nearby parks and library to support learning.

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the early years provision

All children are cared for in line with their individual needs. In order to achieve this, the childminder works closely with parents. She shares the range of written policies and procedures with parents when she meets them and displays some in the hallway. This gives parents a clear picture of the type of care she provides, as well as giving them the opportunity to ask questions. As well as talking to parents on a daily basis the childminder also completes a daily diary which goes home with children each day. All relevant parental permissions are obtained, ensuring that the childminder can care for children in line with parents' wishes. The childminder has established good 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.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is effective in supporting learning and development. Children are supported in developing their ideas and understanding through good use of questions and discussion. The childminder keeps a record of each child's learning and development in a learning journey. This includes lots of detail about what children can do and have done, illustrated with photographs. However, she does not identify how observations link to the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to demonstrate that children are making progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are enthusiastic and engaged in play. They are supported in choosing activities which are of interest to them. Resources and activities cover all areas of learning. For example, children enjoy a wide range of imaginative and expressive activities, such as singing, modelling with play dough, dressing up and exploring shaving foam. A bag of natural and man-made resources supports children's heuristic development. Children are also supported in developing their social skills as they visit a toddler group and are encouraged to take turns and play cooperatively. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children have good opportunities to develop skills for the future. They have a range of resources to support the development of information and technology. For example, children can access cameras, mobile phones and remote control toys. They visit the library to develop a love of books and practise early reading skills

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and outcomes for children

through singing simple phonic action rhymes. Counting and recognising numbers is an integral part of the daily routine. A good balance between adult-led and independent activities is achieved, supporting children in taking the lead in their own play and encouraging active learning.

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and outcomes for children

Young children are very well supported in developing an understanding of safety. The childminder helps them to think of others when they are playing and for example, encourages them to remain sitting until they have finished eating. Children learn about road safety as they walk around the local area and practise a simple fire drill. They have a close relationship with the childminder, turning to her for comfort and falling asleep quickly at nap time. This demonstrates that they feel safe and secure.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well supported in learning to wash their hands and are encouraged to do this independently when they are old enough. Posters are on display about good hand washing and remembering to flush the toilet. Children have regular opportunities to exercise. They have access to the garden with a range of physical play equipment. Children also enjoy daily trips and walks around the local area to school, parks and local toddler groups. A healthy and varied menu is in place which helps the childminder ensure that children enjoy a balance of different types of food. Snacks are healthy and nutritious, with fresh fruit and vegetables provided daily. 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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