Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY360089 Inspection date 03/11/2011 Inspector Ann Cozzi

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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 two children aged nine and six years in Loughton, Essex. The whole premises 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 to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Since her last inspection the childminder has achieved a level three childcare qualification. The family has two pet rabbits.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

The childminder demonstrates a well-developed knowledge and understanding of each child's needs which ensures she successfully promotes their welfare and learning. Children are safe and secure and have lots of opportunities to learn about the local area they live in and the wider world. Partnerships with parents are effective in making sure that the needs of all children are met, along with any additional support needs. Partnerships with others are sound. Children make good progress given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder undertakes self-evaluation providing an accurate diagnosis of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision in order to drive and secure improvements.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop partnership with parents by sharing information and involving them in their child's continuous learning and development  develop further the current system of assessment to ensure children's next steps across all areas of learning are consistently linked to the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation stage to inform planning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has undertaken safeguarding training and has supporting documentation in place should she have a child protection concern. She has developed a broad range safeguarding systems which are implemented in her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 everyday practice, for example, clear policies and procedures which maintain the safe and smooth running of her provision. The childminder has implemented a number of safety measures in her home which minimise risk to children attending. Clear risk assessments are in place for outings and the childminder has undertaken a full risk assessment of her home as required. However, written assessments do not fully reflect all of the safety measures in place. All other records, contracts and permission forms, required by legislation, are in place and are well maintained and regularly updated by the childminder. This includes accurate records of children's

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the early years provision

hours of attendance. In addition, the childminder maintains a record of all visitors to her home including their time of arrival and departure. This ensures that she is able to safely account for all children and adults in her home at any given time. The childminder has a paediatric first aid qualification which ensures that she can provide appropriate care to children in the event of an accident. The organisation of the home ensures that children are able to easily access the good range of toys and resources available, supporting their developing independence well. The childminder strives to ensure her provision is sustainable.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed very positive relationships with parents, ensuring each child's needs are met. She gathers comprehensive details about each child at the start of placement which provides her with important information needed to effectively meet their individual needs. She provides clear and accessible channels for parents to communicate with her and to express their views, for example, discussion at pick-up and drop-off times and through the use of their child's daily diary. Parents are kept well informed about their children's achievements and well- being, although there is a minor weakness in ensuring that regular information relating to their individual developmental stages are shared. Parents report that the childminder offers a warm, caring and friendly atmosphere to the children in her care and that the care provided is of the highest standard. They also express that they trust the childminder and feel at ease that their child spends time with

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the early years provision

her and that it is reassuring to know that their child is in good hands. The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of the importance of partnership working to promote continuity of learning.

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the early years provision

Ongoing self-evaluation is undertaken by self-reflection and using information gathered from a range of sources. This includes feedback from parents and other professionals, such as the local authority development officer. In addition, the childminder has met all recommendations and actions raised since her last inspection. This provides the childminder with an accurate diagnosis of the strengths and weaknesses of her service promoting good outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children at this setting are supported well by the childminder and, as a result, they make good progress towards the six early learning goals. Regular observations are undertaken of all children and are used to inform the flexible planning of a wide range of interesting and stimulating learning opportunities.However, at times there is a weakness in ensuring that observations are cross-referenced to the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation stage to consistently inform planning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children show that they feel safe and secure within a healthy relationship with the childminder as they show feelings of pleasure, excitement or frustration. For example, they clearly enjoy sitting on her lap looking at books. Children are encouraged to make good progress in communicating, literacy, numeracy and skills relating to information and communication technology. For example, they

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and outcomes for children

confidently use battery-operated toys, such as a telephone. Pressing its buttons, they show their amusement as it makes a sound and the lights begin to flash. They demonstrate a growing knowledge and understanding of the world when they hold the telephone to their ear and say 'hello', mimicking what they have seen adults around them do. Young children show an interest in books, which they access independently. They examine them with interest, looking at the pictures inside. They make a wide variety of sounds, mimicking adults as they tell the story. Toddlers use their voices to make contact and to let people know what they need and how they feel, for example, when they want to look at books with the childminder. Young children begin to explore creative play, tentatively exploring the properties of paint. With support from the childminder, they use their senses and begin to gain some confidence as they handle sponges covered in paint,

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and outcomes for children

placing them on to their piece of paper.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop physical skills as they use equipment and materials, for example, they become absorbed in putting objects in and out of containers. They show they are developing physical skills as they move spontaneously within the environment and set their own challenges, such as, standing in a doorway, balancing on the dividing strip between rooms.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to socialise and begin developing their understanding about the similarities and differences of others. This is achieved through visits into the local and wider community, for example, local toddler groups, the library and trips to the forest. 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 3 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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