Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY420754 Inspection date 20/01/2012 Inspector Lynn Hughes

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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 2011. He lives with his wife 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.

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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. He is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has robust procedures in place to ensure that he effectively meets all children's learning, development and welfare requirements. He knows the children in his care well and works effectively with parents to assess and review their individual needs. The childminder enthusiastically promotes children's enjoyment of the outdoor environment by providing exciting and challenging experiences to enable them to explore nature and the living world. He plans to further develop this by reviewing his knowledge of promoting outdoor experiences for very young children. The childminder works well with other Early Years professionals and has effective systems in place for reviewing and monitoring his provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 extending opportunities for babies and younger children to explore and experiment with natural materials.

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the early years provision

Children are extremely well-safeguarded as the childminder demonstrates extensive knowledge of his responsibilities to protect the children in his care. He regularly updates his knowledge through appropriate training and has effective written procedures in place to ensure that any concerns are promptly referred to the correct authority for investigation. All adults living on the premises or working This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with children are appropriately vetted and proof of their clearance is available for inspection. Robust systems for risk assessing the premises ensure that children are extremely safe and secure at all times.

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the early years provision

This is the childminder's first inspection since registration, however, he worked as his wife's assistant for a number of years before registering in his own right. He holds a level 3 qualification in home based childcare and demonstrates a firm commitment to updating his knowledge through appropriate training events and meetings. He strives for improvement in every aspect of his childminding service and welcomes feedback from parents, children and other agencies connected with his provision. The childminder effectively reviews and evaluates his service and updates a detailed self-evaluation form detailing his future plans and developments. The childminder has used this system to identify that his knowledge of providing challenging and exciting outdoor experiences to younger children could be further developed.

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the early years provision

Children are very well-supported in the childminder's care as he provides them with continuous, hands-on interaction. He supervises their play at all times and facilitates their ideas and suggestions. The childminder recognises each child's individual needs and requirements and works extremely effectively with parents to tailor his provision to meet their needs. Children's knowledge of the wider world is superbly extended as the childminder offers them, fun, exciting and informative activities to help to develop their understanding. They enthusiastically play with an excellent range of resources which reflect diversity and equality. Children are actively encouraged to become strong, independent young people as the childminder provides excellent opportunities for them to make choices and decisions over their play and learning.

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the early years provision

An extremely open and professional relationship between the childminder and the parents using his service ensure that children's well-being is paramount. They have effective systems in place to communicate verbally on a daily informal basis as well as through a more formal open day arrangement. A set of extremely well- considered and documented written policies inform parents of the childminder's service and working practices. The childminder has extremely effective links with other early years professionals and makes good use of local Children's Centres and support networks.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder. Their welfare, learning and development needs are superbly met. They enthusiastically participate in an exciting range of planned and freely chosen play and learning experiences both indoors and outdoors. They approach the childminder for reassuring cuddles and are provided with excellent quality interaction as the childminder chats to them in a comforting way, shows them new and exciting toys and provides a safe and comfortable lap on which they can fall asleep for a short while. On waking they are encouraged to explore the floor toys available to them whilst still benefiting from This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the support and supervision of the childminder. Excellent photographic evidence shows all children thoroughly enjoying the extensive selection of play materials and activities offered to them on a daily basis. The childminder demonstrates excellent

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and outcomes for children

knowledge of the children's starting points as parents are asked to complete detailed 'all about me sheets'. The childminder uses this information to assess their capabilities and to plan effectively for their next steps in learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with superb opportunities to remain fit and healthy as the childminder provides them with very nutritious and well-balanced meals and snacks. Their individual dietary needs are effectively followed as the childminder researches appropriate foods to ensure their safety. They have daily opportunities to experience fresh air and exercise as the childminder actively encourages children to enjoy outdoor play. They follow the childminder's clear procedures regarding keeping healthy and understand the importance of practices such as regular hand washing. Children's safety is paramount within this childminder's provision. He actively encourages children to learn about keeping safe by talking them through safety routines such as sitting carefully at the meal table to avoid falls or choking. Children demonstrate excellent knowledge of keeping safe and proficiently talk about their understanding of practices such as fire evacuation.

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and outcomes for children

Children's participation in a varied and exciting range of activities enables them to develop essential skills for the future. They are good communicators and enjoy conversing with the childminder. They proficiently use numbers in everyday activities and relay real and imaginary stories through their play. All children are valued and respected within the childminder's care. He tailors his service to ensure that every aspect of the provision is inclusive and offers all children equal opportunities to learn and develop effectively. 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 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

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Stage

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

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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

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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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