Oliver, Julie Anne

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY290498 Inspection date 27/10/2011 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 2004. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 16 and 10 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.

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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. She is also registered on the Compulsory and Voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for up to six children under the age of eight. The childminder is currently caring for one child in the early years age range. The childminder walks to local schools and preschools to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and receives support and guidance from the local authority.

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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. Thorough risk assessments have been carried out and equipment, such as stair gates, are in place. Good organisation of the childminder's home results in children becoming fully engaged in play and learning. As a result, children make very good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder works closely with parents and other professionals in order to identify and meet children's varying learning and welfare needs. A system of self-evaluation has been introduced in order to support the childminder in reflecting upon her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development in order to support continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Appropriate steps are taken to monitor and assess safety, including detailed risk assessments of the premises and for each type of outing. Safety equipment, such as stair gates and a well-stocked first aid kit, are in place to further promote children's safety. The childminder is effective in safeguarding children. A written safeguarding policy is in place and the childminder has attended training in order to ensure that she understands child protection procedures. Current training in first aid is in place, allowing the childminder to act quickly in the event of an accident This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 or emergency. All the relevant records, documents and parental permissions are in place in order to support the childminder in providing children with appropriate care.

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to use a system of self-evaluation in order to monitor her provision. This effectively supports her in reflecting upon what she is doing well, but is not yet used fully to identify a range of areas for improvement. The childminder has been successful in addressing the recommendation suggested at her last inspection. This has brought about improvements to the quality and range of resources and activities available to help children learn about difference and diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes very good use of space. Children are able to move freely around all of the ground floor and also have access to the garden. As a result, children have space for messy play, imaginative play and to exercise as well as areas in which to rest and relax. The childminder stores resources well to ensure that all children have independent access to a wide variety of toys and games. The childminder also makes very good use of local resources, such as the park, library and beach, to enhance children's learning.

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the early years provision

All children are cared for in line with their individual needs. The childminder gathers detailed information about children's needs before she starts to care for them and continues to work closely with parents at all times. She ensures that parents are well informed about what children have been doing, both through chats at the end of the day and by texting messages and photographs during the day. She shares development records on a regular basis and welcomes feedback from parents. Parents make positive comments about the childminder. They feel that she is very well organised, providing children with a good variety of activities. They also comment on how enthusiastic she is when interacting with their children. The childminder has established very good links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as local preschools. This allows her to support and extend children's learning and to ensure a regular exchange of all relevant

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a very welcoming and family-orientated environment. Resources are easily accessible and children are free to explore all areas of the ground floor and garden. The childminder gets to know children and their families very well, allowing her to provide personalised care for individual children. The childminder closely monitors children's learning and development. She keeps a journal of each child's progress, which consists of written observations, photographs and samples of children's work. This is then used effectively to support the childminder in tracking the progress children are making towards the early learning goals. She is then able to identify ways in which she can support children in making good progress, based on what they can already do. Planning is based both on the learning needs of individual children and on their interests and enthusiasms to provide a wide range of engaging activities.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children make very good progress across all areas of learning. They enjoy play and talk enthusiastically about things they have done in the past. They engage fully and are able to concentrate on one activity for an age-appropriate length of time. Children develop good social skills as they visit toddler groups or play turn taking games such as snakes and ladders. They express their creativity in a range of ways, including painting, modelling with play-dough and playing musical instruments. They learn about their local environment through trips to feed the ducks or walks to collect autumn objects such as cones, leaves and conkers.

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and outcomes for children

Children have very good opportunities to develop skills for the future. They are confident in using computers, playing educational games and researching topics of interest. They have a very good understanding of numbers and count as part of daily activities, for example, finding the correct number of pieces needed to play a game or seeing how many stairs there are. Children are confident communicators, asking and answering questions as they play and taking an interest in the world and people around them. Children notice words and letters on the signs and posters which are on display and young children are beginning to recognise a number of letters and sounds. Children develop a love of books they are reading, by reading with the childminder and through attending library story and rhyme times.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They regularly practise emergency evacuation routines and are taught about objects and chemicals which are not safe to touch. Trips around the local area are used as an opportunity for children to learn about road safety. Children demonstrate that they feel extremely safe in the care of the childminder, as they move confidently around her home and chat away happily.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about good hygiene routines. They wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet and are supported in developing their independence in this. Children learn about the reasons for washing fruit before eating it and sometimes help to do so. A good range of opportunities for children to exercise are provided. These include free access to the garden to play with equipment, including a rocking horse, skipping ropes, stilts and a climbing frame. They also walk to school and preschool daily and make regular visits to local parks and play areas. Children enjoy the range of balanced and nutritious snacks which are provided by the childminder who also supports parents in providing healthy meals for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is good and they treat others with kindness and respect. They respond well to the childminder when reminders are given. Children become fully involved in the setting and enjoy working together, for example, to build a den in the garden. Children learn about the needs, beliefs and cultures of others through the good range of activities and resources which are available. Children investigate festivals, including Diwali, Easter and Chinese New Year, through age-appropriate activities, such as making lanterns and tasting traditional foods. 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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