Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY434012 Inspection date 29/02/2012 Inspector Lynn A Hartigan

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 2011 and lives with her partner and two children aged 15 and four years old. The childminder lives in Ardleigh in Essex. The whole of the premises is used for minding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have rabbits and fish as pets.

p.4

Description of the childminding

A maximum of five children under eight years may attend at any one time, three of which may be in the early years age range. The childminder is currently caring for four children in the early years age range on a part-time basis.

p.4

Description of the childminding

Care can also be offered to children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder supports children well in the Early Years Foundation Stage, ensuring young children make significant gains in their development and learning. Children have a selection of toys and resources that are easily accessible within a very child friendly, welcoming home. The childminder offers an exciting range of activities, which effectively promotes their learning and understanding of diversity. Superb opportunities are available for communication and positive relationships with parents and other carers ensure continuity of care. The childminder continues to develop systems to evaluate the provision, which is beginning to include parents' and children's views.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 obtain information from parents of all children about who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility for the child (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 14/03/2012

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure that the safeguarding children policy includes the procedure to be followed in the event of an allegation being made against the childminder or a member of her family. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively cared for as the childminder understands her responsibility to protect children. Attendance at training courses and keeping up to date with current practices, ensures that the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues. The childminder ensures members of the household, who require suitability checks have completed these. The childminder's safeguarding policy is meaningful and underpins her practice. Parents receive copies, however, the policy does not detail procedures to follow in the event an allegation being made against the childminder or a member of her family.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder provides a very welcoming, child friendly, homely and safe environment for children. This is successfully achieved as the childminder ensures that the home is safe on a daily basis. The home is checked for any potential risks, which includes toys and resources provided for the children. They are familiar with evacuation procedures as fire drills are regularly practised and discussed.

p.5

the early years provision

The provision of some very good quality toys and resources are available for the children. They receive very good attention from the childminder as she is realistic in how many children are cared for at any one time. The childminder is effective in developing and supporting the children's learning. A range of activities and play opportunities are readily available within the lounge and garden where children play. A good selection of resources are organised and stored at children's level to ensure that they can self-select and initiate their own play and learning.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder understands the importance of sharing information with other settings minded children attend, to ensure continuity of care. Good links have been established at the local primary school and village pre-school. The childminder's dedication and commitment to the children ensures they are happy and play in a fun and safe place. She is able to demonstrate how she plans to improve the service as she has developed a detailed self evaluation. Activities are also evaluated and used to inform future planning. The childminder values and encourages parents' and children's contributions and is introducing parental questionnaires to invite further comment about the service provided.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder values each child as unique and opportunities for children to learn about diversity are provided through the activities offered. The childminder has developed superb opportunities for communication with parents. For example, parents are warmly welcomed into the home. Organised visits to the child's home to meet their family and discuss the child's individual needs result in children settling quickly and comfortably in her care. Daily diaries are used and provide essential information from home to childminder. Superb logs are kept of the children's development and photographs are provided to evidence their time with the childminder. The childminder positively encourages parents to review and contribute to their children's learning journey documents. However, the childminder has not obtained information as to who has legal contact with the child and who has parental responsibility, therefore, children's safety may be

p.5

the early years provision

compromised. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very good understanding of child development and how children learn. Children engage in activities and are keen to learn, fully supported by the childminder. They have immense fun learning about people who help us. They have a fun day out, visiting the fire and police station and visiting the hospital to see the ambulance. They enjoy fresh air and exercise regularly as they feed the ducks at the pond or visit the local parks, using the climbing apparatus and swings to develop their physical skills.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy collage work and make happy and sad faces using scissors and pictures. They are praised for their 'good cutting'. The childminder is skilful when encouraging children to express how they feel. They enjoy mark making and even very young children are offered some good opportunities. For example, they paint using their hands and feet on large paper outdoors. They are positively encouraged to contribute to the environment in which they play. For example, they make prompt posters and signs that are displayed around the home. Opportunities to use everyday technology are provided. For example, they confidently use the computer and camera. They use a laminator skilfully for their posters and signs.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder is very intuitive of the children she cares for. Good communication systems are in place with the families to ensure that she is familiar with their routines, unique needs and family backgrounds. As a result, children settle well and happily leave their parents. Visitors are introduced to the children and they are comfortable and secure within their environment, happily engaging visitors in their play and conversations.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has developed effective systems to record the children's development and encourages parental involvement. Learning journeys are made readily available to parents. Also the children's next steps in learning are identified to ensure they are sufficiently challenged. Children are learning how to stay safe as the childminder discusses road safety with them. They are also aware of how to safe in the event of a fire as they regularly practise fire drills and evacuation procedures.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Through familiar daily routines children are beginning to understand the importance of being healthy. They walk to the local farm shop to buy fruit and vegetables for their snack. They happily help prepare their food and they contribute to the menus provided by discussing their favourite meals. Young children excitedly wash their hands in preparation for snack, they are very familiar with the routine and understand completely why it is important.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes the children's understanding of diversity through some play opportunities and some resources that are provided for them. For example, making pancakes, dressing-up and carving pumpkins at Halloween. Children have clearly formed good relationships with the childminder and her family and have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 great fun. It is evident that children feel safe and are comfortable in the childminder's care. 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.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.8

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 2

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9