Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 202485 Inspection date 20/01/2012 Inspector Lynn Hughes

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1999. She lives with her husband and four children aged 15, 13, six years and four months in Feering, Essex. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The family have a lizard and a dog as pets.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range, none may be aged under 12 months at any time. There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's welfare, learning and development needs are met to an extremely high standard through the childminder's robust and effective delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She demonstrates extensive knowledge of the children in her care and provides them with excellent quality play and learning experiences. The childminder's rigorous systems for observing children and recording their development enable her to proficiently plan a wide range of fun, stimulating and challenging activities. Children are extremely well-safeguarded as the childminder has extensive procedure in place to ensure their safety at all times. Effective systems for reviewing and evaluating the provision ensure that the childminder maintains continuous improvement. She is currently further developing her systems for involving parents in their children's learning.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 developing further systems to enable parents to play an active role in the self-evaluation procedures.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder's robust procedures for safeguarding children ensure that they remain safe, secure and extremely well-protected from harm at all times. She demonstrates extensive knowledge of her responsibilities with regards to protecting children and understands current guidelines to follow if she has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 concerns about any of the children in her care. All adults living and working on the premises are appropriately vetted and proof of their clearance is held on file. The childminder regularly updates her safeguarding knowledge through training. Children play and learn in an extremely clean, safe and well-organised home as the childminder has rigorous procedures in place for risk assessing her home and all outings.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has been registered for a number of years. She has recently returned to work after a short period of maternity leave and has re-commenced caring for the children she was previously caring for. The childminder is extremely committed to driving improvement and strives to provide the families in her care with a high quality service. She achieves this in all areas and has extensive evidence to show how she proficiently and professionally embraces the Early Years Foundation Stage. Effective systems for reviewing and evaluating all aspects of the childminder's provision enable her to identify her strengths and any areas for further development.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder's home offers children a warm, welcoming and extremely child- friendly environment in which to play and learn. A dedicated playroom leads out from the family's lounge affording children a good amount of clear floor space in which to spread their play. Toys and play materials are very well-presented in organised, low-level storage units which enable children to safely select the resources of their choice. The childminder is on hand at all times to support the children's learning. She is extremely committed to maintaining and developing her childcare knowledge through appropriate training. Bright and colourful posters which depict the wider world and offer positive images of diversity are displayed around the walls of the playroom. The childminder provides children with superb opportunities to learn about people's different needs, cultures and beliefs through well-considered activities and through the celebration of festivals and special

p.5

the early years provision

Effective systems are in place to enable the childminder to work in partnership with other provisions. She communicates well with development workers from the local authority and makes good use of a number of local Children's Centres to enhance the children's experiences. Parents are provided with excellent information about the childminder and her provision. She has a well-established website which is regularly updated to ensure that prospective parents are provided with accurate information to help them make decisions about their children's care. Parents are encouraged to play an active role in their children's learning and have good opportunities to provide the childminder with feedback on her provision. At present the childminder is further developing these opportunities to ensure that she is meeting the needs of all of the parents using her childminding service.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children's welfare, learning and development needs are superbly met by a well- qualified and proficient childminder. She understands the children in her care and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 works well with their parents to identify their starting points and capabilities. The childminder uses this knowledge to plan extremely effectively to ensure that every child's interests and learning needs are incorporated in her planning. Children actively and enthusiastically participate in an excellent range of planned and freely chosen play experiences. For example, they enjoy looking through photographs and examples of previous creative play activities. They ask to re-create an activity whereby they stick shiny strips of paper on to straws to make pretend sparklers. The childminder efficiently facilitates this activity and provides children with the resources they need. They enjoy shaking these around and talk about the pretty

p.5

and outcomes for children

patterns they make. Their interests then wander to the range of dolls and dolls clothes on offer. They take the dolls swimming and chat confidently to the childminder about what clothes the doll needs and how they are re-dressing them. A box of precious gems then capture their interest and they show the childminder the different colours, they tell her about their favourite colours and which stones they like best. Extremely effective systems are in place for the childminder to observe and record the children's progress. The photographic evidence to support the childminder's observations are attractively presented in the children's learning journeys. Parents have regular access to their children's learning journeys and have opportunities to comment on their children's progress and achievements. The childminder uses her observations to plan effectively for children's next steps in learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are and feel extremely safe and secure within the childminder's care. They understand her house rules and know how to behave safely and carefully in her home. Their knowledge of keeping safe is effectively promoted by the childminder in a clear and concise manner. For example, they talk proficiently about what they have to do if the smoke detector alarms, as they regularly practise evacuating the house. They understand that the pretend, laminated flames placed in strategic places around the home indicate that that is where the fire is, therefore, a different route is required to safely evacuate the home. Children are fit and healthy. They enthusiastically enjoy fresh air and exercise and play in the childminder's garden in all kinds of weather. Children understand the importance of good hygiene practices as the childminder reminds them about hand washing at appropriate times and provides them with individual colour-coded hand towels to dry their hands on each

p.6

and outcomes for children

day. Children enjoy extremely healthy and nutritious meals and snacks as the childminder is committed to providing them with a well-balanced diet. A four weekly rolling menu ensures that children are provided with a wide variety of foods and provides clear information for parents about what their children are eating.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are extremely settled and confident in the childminder's home. They move comfortably around the areas of the home accessible to them and approach the childminder with ease. Their self-esteem is expertly promoted as the childminder offers them constant praise and encouragement. She has very clear rules which enable children to respond to her expectations. The enthusiastic participation in a wide and exciting range of activities enables children to develop secure skills for the future. They are extremely good communicators and chat proficiently with the childminder and other children present. They use the exciting range of toys and resources to help them to develop their critical thinking and to learn to solve problems. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 1 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8