Childminder in Thurrock

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY306157 Inspection date 24/11/2011 Inspector Patricia Champion

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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 2005. She lives with her two children aged four and eight years in a house in Corringham, Essex. All areas of the childminder's house are registered for childminding. Access is via one low step up to the front door. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog and two cats as pets.

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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 is currently minding two children in the early years age group on a part- time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She is also registered to provide overnight care for two children. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks or drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. She attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and 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 effectively recognises the individuality of each child and promotes inclusive practice. Children are cared for in a safe and stimulating environment. Their learning and development is generally supported well because the childminder ensures that they have access to a wide range of interesting activities and stimulating resources. Strong working relationships with parents and mostly effective partnerships with other early years professionals help to promote children's welfare and learning. The childminder effectively monitors and evaluates her service and this assists her in modifying and improving her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the partnerships with the other settings that children attend within the Early Years Foundation Stage to enhance their learning and development review regularly the routine approach for observations and assessment to ensure that there are no gaps in learning.

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the early years provision

Detailed written policies and procedures are in place to promote children's welfare and safety. Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of her child protection responsibilities. She has easily accessible contact details for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the Local Safeguarding Children Board and any other appropriate agencies she may need to contact. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate so that she can deal with minor injuries. Written risk assessments are carried out for the premises and any outings. The childminder is aware of her duty to ensure that other people living or working on the premises are suitable to be in contact with children. She uses the available space in her home effectively and child-size tables and chairs are provided so that children can eat and play in comfort.

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the early years provision

The procedures for involving parents and keeping them informed of their children's care and learning are effective. Important notices and certificates are displayed in a prominent position where parents can easily see them. There are very clear contacts and consent agreements that cover the business and care arrangements. Parents get to see their children's development records at frequent intervals and are encouraged to make comments about their children's achievements. The childminder asks parents and children for their views and these comments are used to inform important decisions about the provision. Parents make very positive comments about the childminder and say they are thrilled with all aspects of the service and would happily recommend her to others.

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the early years provision

The childminder's practice is inclusive and all children can participate fully in the activities as she gives careful consideration to the accessibility of resources. A wide range of play materials depicting positive figures are in constant use so that children view images of diversity in the toys or artefacts they handle every day. These influences teach the children to respect and value other people and other ways of life.

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the early years provision

The childminder is motivated and uses self-evaluation to accurately identify what she does well and the areas for improvement. She attends a variety of training courses and is very receptive to information from her development worker. The childminder has strong partnerships with local children's centres and meets regularly with other childminders. However, her partnerships with the pre-schools and schools that children attend are not yet fully embedded to enhance their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and enthusiastically develop confidence and the important skills they need for future learning as they play. The environment is planned thoughtfully so that children can choose what they want to do independently, both indoors and outside. The children respond eagerly to consistent praise and encouragement and enjoy the reassurance from the affectionate and caring childminder. Children's language is effectively promoted as the childminder spends a lot of time talking to the children. Carefully framed questions are asked to promote vocabulary development and elicit interesting answers from the children. They have good access to a range of books and puzzles and they enjoy reading for pleasure on their own but also eagerly share their chosen books or puzzles with the childminder. Children enjoy listening to nursery rhymes and effectively use props and resources that depict characters from favourite songs.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children receive good opportunities to develop their social skills at local toddler groups, where they also receive further opportunities to experience messy play. The childminder encourages children to observe and explore the changing seasons and they collect autumn leaves and twigs to create pictures and leaf rubbings. Numbers, mathematical language and colours are continually used in conversations. Children are progressing well in their learning and development. Photographs and examples of the children's artwork are used effectively to evidence their progress and achievements. Each child has an 'all about me' book where the childminder records observations and plans around children's needs and next steps. However, children may not achieve as much as they can because the childminder is not yet consistently reviewing the observations and assessments to

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and outcomes for children

ensure that there are no gaps in learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave in ways that are safe for themselves and others and are developing an understanding of potential dangers and how to keep themselves safe. They learn to cross roads safety and understand that the house rules are there to keep them safe. Fire drills are practised and tools and utensils are used carefully and in safety. Good hygiene routines have been established and children eat wholesome and freshly prepared food, such as fresh fruit and crunchy raw vegetables for snacks. Drinks are freely available so that children do not become thirsty or dehydrated. This ensures that individual dietary needs are met and children develop a strong understanding of the need for healthy eating. The children play very well together. They learn to share resources fairly and are starting to show consideration for others by being polite and learning to take turns. 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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