Happe Cindy Lynn

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY231869 Inspection date 12/03/2012 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 2001. She lives with her husband and child aged 11 years. They live in a house in a residential area in Canvey, Essex. All areas of the childminder's house are registered for childminding. Access is via one step into the front door or wheelchair access via the side gate. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. The family has a parrot as a pet.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. 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 to 11 years. 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 drives to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and an approved childminding network.

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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 displays an excellent knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage which underpins the extremely positive outcomes children experience in their learning and development. The professionalism of the childminder ensures the service she provides is flexible, caring and inclusive to meet the individual needs of all the children. She recognises that the partnerships with parents and other agencies are integral to every child's development. Overall, the childminder maintains her high standards through consistently reviewing and reflecting on her practice to ensure continuous improvements are sustained.

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further?

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

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further?

 building on existing technology skills and developing the childminding provision to include new initiatives as they become available. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of safeguarding issues and keeps up to date with training. She is extremely confident in her role and responsibility to protect children in her care. Records and written policies are extremely well organised and underpin the exceptional organisation of the setting. All adults in contact with children have undergone relevant vetting and checking procedures to ensure their safety. A comprehensive risk assessment procedure is in place which the childminder reviews regularly to ensure that any hazards are kept to a minimum and promotes children's ongoing safety. Risk assessments cover all aspects of the home, garden and include outings away from the home setting. The childminder is extremely vigilant about the security of the children and she uses a secure entry system with a monitor to view when visitors arrive at her door.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is very stimulating and well organised. This enables children to actively participate in a wide range of opportunities and experiences which foster their initiative, independence and confidence. Children know where to find resources to extend their play ideas and follow their own interests. The annexe of the childminder's house provides defined play areas as well as a kitchen and toilet facilities specifically for childminding purposes. A plentiful range of high quality toys and equipment is well maintained, both indoors and outside. Furthermore, the childminder takes the children to children's centres and the library to enable them to access a further choice of resources.

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the early years provision

The childminder is skilled in ensuring that she provides a fully inclusive environment that makes parents and children feel very secure and welcome. She has a trusting partnership with parents, who value her commitment and the wonderful range of activities and outings she provides. The childminder puts an enormous amount of effort into presenting paperwork attractively to children and parents. She liaises with parents extremely effectively using a variety of different methods, such as a daily contact books, verbal feedback, regular newsletters and a website. A wealth of information is displayed and the childminder holds a box full of useful brochures and notices with information about aspects of health and safety issues that she shares with parents. Comprehensive observation and assessment folders are in place for each child and the childminder ensures that parents have regular opportunities to contribute to these. This enables parents to

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the early years provision

be fully involved in their child's learning and development. Parents are also eager to support the childminding provision and offer their skills in using a computer or source imaginative artefacts and play equipment that children love to use. The childminder has built very strong and firm links with other early years professionals and the other settings that children attend to promote continuity in care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is extremely passionate about her work and loves every minute she spends with the children. She is committed to improving outcomes for all children and spends time reflecting on her practice, which helps her identify how she can enhance children's lives and their future well-being. For example, since the last inspection the childminder has achieved a level 4 qualification in childcare and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 has attended extensive training courses. The childminder has also identified that she wishes to build further on her existing technology skills and develop the childminding provision to include any new initiatives as they become available. This has the potential to enhance outcomes for children even more.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and confident in their play. Through the dedicated and committed practice offered by this exceptional childminder, children have excellent levels of achievement. They play a dynamic role in their learning and development because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. Their differences are recognised and celebrated with utter conviction, enabling each child to reach their full potential. The childminder is highly skilled and sensitive in her management of children and their behaviour. As a result, children behave exceptionally well, are courteous and polite and know what is expected of them as boundaries are clear. They feel valued and beam with pleasure as the childminder welcomes and praises them and they are aware they are someone special to her.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a very good balance of child-initiated learning which is superbly supported by the childminder. There is a very strong emphasis on independence and children are encouraged to deal with their own care needs or access their own drinks. Children follow their interests with perseverance and have confidence in what they do. They learn how to pull levers and use programmable toys from a very early age. They explore cause and effect as they realise that they can push a button or turn a knob and lights flash or music plays. All toys and play materials within reach of babies are safe for them to explore using their mouth or hands. Children have excellent opportunities to see examples of everyday print and to learn that print has meaning throughout the setting. All toys are labelled and enable children to freely choose what they want to play with. Children have extremely good opportunities to listen to sounds and recognise letters during

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and outcomes for children

planned activities. There are superb opportunities for making marks and learning how to hold a pencil correctly. Children learn to count very well, calculate and problem solve throughout their daily routine or using a wide range of mathematical toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children's physical skills and coordination are developed extremely well as the childminder encourages and promotes outdoor play and exercise. Children have very good opportunities to climb and balance using large equipment in the rear garden. Health is extremely well promoted. Babies and young children learn from an early age to connect toileting routines with hand washing in order to reduce the risk of the spread of germs. They enjoy exceptionally nutritious meals and snacks as the childminder is also a qualified chef. Children also learn to consider their own safety as they are encouraged to tidy away, participate in regular evacuation drills and learn to cross roads with care. They also have use of high-visibility jackets, provided by the childminder to further ensure their safety when walking in the local area or taking part in outings. The childminder fully exploits community venues such as local parks, the beach and activity centres to provide an extended

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and outcomes for children

range of learning opportunities for children. These visits significantly enhance their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knowledge and understanding of the natural world and provide additional physical challenges. 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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