Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY319707 Inspection date 29/03/2012 Inspector Ann Cozzi

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and their two children aged eight and ten years in Brentwood, Essex. The whole premises are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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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. She is currently minding one child in the early years age group. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a very good knowledge and understanding of children's needs which ensures that she successfully supports their welfare and learning. Children are safe and secure and have fun whilst learning about their local and wider environments. Partnerships with parents and others are good ensuring that the needs of all children are met along with any additional support needs. This results in children progressing well in relation to their ages, abilities and starting points. Regular self-evaluation means that priorities for development are clearly identified and targeted by the childminder, resulting in a setting which responds well to the needs of its users.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that risk assessment covers anything with which a child may come into contact.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children. She has a wealth of relevant information to support her should she have a concern about any child in her care. A comprehensive and informative range of policies and procedures are in place, discussed with parents and copies provided for them at the start of placement. The childminder has undertaken a thorough risk assessment of her premises and as a result she has minimised all potential risks to children, for example, her home is kept secure to ensure that no child is able to leave unescorted. Although, current records do not fully reflect all safety measures implemented, for example, how children are prevented from This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 independently accessing the large trampoline in the rear garden. All other records, contracts and permission forms, required by legislation are well maintained. This

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the early years provision

includes a daily register recording children's hours of attendance, enabling the childminder to safely account for children in her home at all times. Appropriate care is provided to children in the event of an emergency because the childminder has an appropriate paediatric first aid qualification.

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the early years provision

Children enjoy a flexible approach to daily routines and planning, this ensures that the childminder is responsive to their individual needs. There are a wide range of accessible high quality resources, organised in a way which promotes children's ability to make choices and decisions about their own play and learning. The childminder's knowledge and understanding about each child is used effectively, to promote their care and education in a fully inclusive manner. Children's good health is protected and promoted well through daily routines.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are supported through consistent open communication. The childminder makes sure that time is taken to share information about each child's care and learning. Partnerships with other providers of care and education that children attend ensures that important information is shared, promoting continuity of care and learning. The childminder regularly reflects on the service she provides, including seeking the views of parents and consulting with the local authority development worker about best practice. She assesses this information in order to use it as a development tool, leading to the continuous progression of her provision.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a stimulating, child centred environment which fully reflects the backgrounds of children attending, as well as the wider community. The good organisation of the educational programme reflects a wide range of experiences that meet the needs of all children well. This results in children making good progress towards the six early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are secure and very confident in the care of the childminder, this is demonstrated as they independently choose which activity they would like to do next. They show that they are learning about and observing the effects that activity has on their bodies. For example, they tell the inspector that when they run in the field their heart beats faster. Children are beginning to distinguish between quantities, recognising that a group of objects is more than one as they spontaneously count whilst making a pretend call to Grandma. During play children's knowledge and understanding of the world is clearly demonstrated through real and imagined experiences. For example, they place a cup into the role play microwave to warm it up, mimicking what they have observed adults do. Using single handed tools they demonstrate their competence as they prepare role play foods. Children show their clear understanding of how to keep themselves and

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and outcomes for children

others safe as they recognise that they need oven gloves when taking a 'hot' pretend meal out of the role play oven. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children develop social skills as they begin to recognise the views and feelings of others as they talk to the childminder about sharing toys. They are beginning to link sounds to letters, naming and sounding letters of the alphabet and identifying sounds such as 'f' for 'foot' or 'g' for 'goat'. Children show good control as they hold and use a pencil to write their own name.

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and outcomes for children

The good health of children is promoted well, for example, going for walks to local fields along with regular opportunities to access physical play in the garden. There are good hygiene procedures in place to prevent the risk of infection. In addition a clear visual aid is displayed next to the sink which support's children's understanding of how to wash their hand thoroughly. Children learn to keep themselves safe as part of the settings routine such as regular fire evacuation practises, ensuring that they learn what to do in the event of an emergency. 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 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

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Stage

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

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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

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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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