Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 590043 Inspection date 16/03/2012 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 2000. She lives with her husband and one child aged 12 years in Braintree, Essex. The whole of the childminder's home 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 pet rabbit.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children attending who are within the early years age range, 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. She is also registered to work with an assistant and when doing so can care for seven children under eight years, of whom no more than four may be in the early years age range.

p.4

Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is an accredited childminder who accepts early years funding for three and four year old children.

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

Children's welfare needs are effectively met through the childminder's clear and well-established working practices. Children enjoy participating in a range of planned and freely chosen play opportunities. The childminder observes children's progress, however, does not use information gained from observations consistently when planning children's next steps in their learning. Systems to ensure that children are safe are in place, however, are currently being reviewed with regards to the banisters. The childminder works in partnership with other's to ensure progression and continuity.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 reappraise the environment to which children are being exposed amend and make necessary adjustments to secure their safety at all times, this is with specific reference to the ranch style banisters  use information gained from observations consistently when planning for children's next steps in their learning and development towards 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

CChildren are well-protected from harm as the childminder demonstrates secure knowledge of her responsibilities with regards to safeguarding children. She continuously updates her safeguarding knowledge through appropriate training courses and childcare publications. All adults living on the premises are appropriately vetted and the childminder always supervises the children in her care. The childminder ensures the safety of children in her care by conducting regular risk assessments indoors, outdoors and for outings. An issue regarding the safety of the ranch style banisters has, however, been identified and not yet been addressed to ensure children's safety at all times.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has been registered and actively childminding for many years. She is an accredited childminder who accepts funding for three and four year old children. Her accreditation provides her with clear opportunities to reflect and review her provision. She demonstrates a firm commitment to continuously improving her childminding service and enjoys developing her working practices. The childminder's self-evaluation provides her with clear information about her strengths and areas for improvement.

p.5

the early years provision

The majority of the childminder's toys and play resources are stored in one of two bedrooms on the first floor of her home. Children visit these areas each morning with the childminder to help to choose a selection of resources to bring downstairs to the main play areas. They are knowledgeable about the range of equipment available and ask for additional toys throughout the day. The childminder is very attentive to the children's needs and supports them well throughout their time with her. She sits with them, joins in with their games and recognises when to step back and allow them to explore on their own. The childminder's fully inclusive and welcoming provision ensures that children feel valued, important and listened to.

p.5

the early years provision

Parents provide the childminder with clear information about their views of her provision. They complete questionnaires on an annual basis and some parents provide written positive comments especially for the purpose of inspection. Parents are encouraged to play an active role in their children's day through effective communication. The childminder works well with other early years settings and has a good working relationship with the local primary school.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They are actively engrossed in purposeful play throughout their day and are enthusiastic about learning. They participate well and enjoy the company of their friends and the caring and professional interaction they receive from the childminder. Their day is busy and active, for example, they excitedly make an edible bracelet from cereals. They concentrate on threading the cereals onto a long piece of string, enjoying the occasional one which ends up in their mouth rather than on the bracelet. The well- This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 equipped and interesting garden offers children the opportunity to throw, catch and kick their favourite balls. They cheer excitedly as they score a goal. The extensive range of play food and role play materials presented with the plastic kitchen provides exciting opportunities for children to 'cook' and present a range of

p.5

and outcomes for children

meals and snacks for others to enjoy. They talk confidently about the cooking process and correctly identify the names of the various foods available. The childminder plans a range of activities which enable children to make progress across all six areas of learning. However, at present the planning is very general and is not always fully tailored to the individual interests and needs of each child.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children behave in ways which demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's home. They approach her with confidence and understand the simple house rules which are put in place to ensure their safety. Children develop an understanding about keeping healthy as they follow the childminder's clear directions. They understand the importance of good hygiene practices, such as, hand washing at appropriate times. Children enjoy a varied and balanced diet as the childminder promotes healthy eating. They make decisions about their meals, for example, they choose the sandwich filling they want and help to wash, chop and prepare fruit and vegetables to accompany their lunch. Children are very fit and active and enjoy the daily outdoor experiences available to them. They know that fresh air is good for them. The childminder actively encourages them to enjoy outdoor experiences throughout the year, for example, when it is wet outside they

p.6

and outcomes for children

put on their wellington boots and go puddle jumping.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are very settled and confident. They are encouraged to have a voice in the childminder's home and are actively encouraged to make choices and decisions. Children learn about other people's different needs through appropriate resources and interesting activities. The range of resources and learning opportunities available to children help them to develop essential skills for the future. For example, they are confident speakers who converse well with each other and with the childminder. They express themselves creatively and imaginatively. Children are developing knowledge which helps them to learn about and enjoy numbers, shapes and colours in their everyday activities. 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 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.7

Stage

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

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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