Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY266219 Inspection date 29/02/2012 Inspector Jane Tagg

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 2003. She lives with her husband and children aged four years and 9 years in West Mersea, Essex. The whole of the property is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under the age of eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for six children under eight, two of whom are in the early age group. All children attend on a part time basis. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, and 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 satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are kept safe overall because the childminder is experienced and has a sound understanding of safeguarding procedures. The childminder provides a suitable range of activities to help all children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development, but has not been able to complete all the childcare qualifications required. This means the childminder's ability to effectively evaluate children's progress over time across the areas of learning is impaired. She has developed positive partnerships with parents, so she can mostly meet all children's individual needs. The childminder is beginning to identify strengths and weaknesses of her practice. She recognises that the outside area needs developing in order to maintain continuous improvement and benefit all the children in her care.

p.4

further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.4

further?

 complete relevant childcare qualification to ensure continuous improvement of practice. 30/03/2012

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 extend children's skills and understanding of natural environments by developing the outdoor area to offer more opportunities for children to explore and use their senses  implement effective systems of planning and assessment to ensure children have experiences across the areas of learning and make consistent progress toward the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder keeps children safe overall, because she has a sound understanding of the safeguarding procedures. She has recently updated her first aid and safeguarding training to further enhance her provision. The childminder keep appropriate attendance, medication and accident records. She also complete daily checks, for example that all the toys are in good repair, to ensure children's safety around her home. A range of policies and procedures inform parents about the provision and appropriate consents, such as, for outings, are in place.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is very experienced and uses this to support children in their learning, overall. The environment is organised to enable children to select their own activities from an appropriate selection available inside and outside and so become independent learners. However, she has not been able to complete an appropriate qualification in childcare so her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage is limited as a result. The childminder is beginning to self- evaluate and is aware of her strengths and weaknesses and looks for ways to improve the quality of the provision. For example, she wants to improve the outside area so children can dig in the soil and learn about how things grow to enhance their skills for the future.

p.5

the early years provision

There is a reasonable range of resources for all children to choose from, including, construction bricks, marble run, toy prams with dolls, train track, drawing materials, puzzles and books. This enables children to make satisfactory progress in their development. The childminder knows about children's individual needs and can provide consistency of care, as she has positive relationships with parents. Information, such as, preferences and interests is provided by parents when each child starts. Parents receive verbal feedback and also a scrap book of their child's achievements, so they know about activities and routines. There are established relationships with the local school, playgroup and other childminders to enhance communication and continuity of care.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children well and understands their individual interests. Children settle to their play and move around the premises freely as they know where they can go. They choose for themselves from the appropriate resources and range of toys available. This encourages children to become independent learners and feel secure. Children behave well, as the childminder models appropriate behaviour to which the children respond, such as, praising them for sharing. Older children are encouraged to help younger ones. Chidlren's pictures and models are on display which gives them a sense of belonging.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children's good health is promoted by the childminder. Children are able to play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outside daily in the fresh air, for example bouncing on the trampoline. They are given enough opportunity to exercise by walks to the school and visiting the nearby beach. They also take part in sponsored runs. Children are beginning to make healthy choices for snack, such as apples, bananas and avocados. Hands are washed before snack and after using the toilet, which teaches the children about personal hygiene. They are helped to stay safe by holding the childminder's hand, when crossing the road, to learn about road safety.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are making steady progress towards the early learning goals because the childminders informally provides activities around their interests and needs. She observes the children's play and generally identifies learning priorities. However, there is no formal method of monitoring children's learning or processes to plan for future experiences. This limits children's learning potential. Children are beginning to develop good language skills, as the childminder engages them in conversations all the time, such as, asking them to name colours and numbers in English and Spanish. All children readily access a reasonable range of books and have times to sit to draw and paint. Children learn about numbers and volume through counting with blocks cutting playdough in half, and weighing ingredients to make biscuits or pancakes. Children find out about the wider world by exploring the outdoors visiting the beach, the zoo and the woods and collecting stones, leaves and acorns.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder is accepting of others regardless of background and encourages the children to be the same. They find out about peoples' similarities and differences by playing with each other and through dolls from other countries and puzzles. They continue to have fun by exploring textures inside a pumpkin, blowing bubbles outside and dressing up and dancing to music. This also means that children are mostly learning good skills for the future. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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