Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY384703 Inspection date 11/05/2012 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 2009 and works with two assistants. She lives with her husband and child aged two years. They live in a house in a residential area in Basildon, Essex. All areas of the childminder's house are registered for childminding. Access is via one low step into the front door. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog and two terrapin turtles as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom no more than five may be in the early years age range when an assistant is present. There are currently six children attending who are within the early years age group, most 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 or walks to local schools to take and collect children. She 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder and her assistants ensure that children are cared for in a warm and welcoming environment. They work very positively in partnership with parents to meet children's individual needs. A varied range of activities are provided that help children make steady progress in their learning and development. Systems for monitoring children's progress and planning the next steps in their learning are not fully developed. Most of the essential documentation is in place to promote children's safety; however, there are weaknesses in relation to conducting risk assessment. Use of reflective practice and self-evaluation is not yet fully embedded to identify areas for further development.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment and review it regularly, at least once a year or more frequently when the need arises (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 25/05/2012

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths and the priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children  develop a more systematic approach to using observations to plan the next steps in children's development and encourage parents to contribute their observations of children's learning to the ongoing assessment records  support children's growing independence as they do things for themselves, this specifically relates to providing equipment to improve the hand washing arrangements.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded appropriately by the childminder who has some suitable systems in place to promote their safety and well-being. She has written policies and procedures to safeguard children and her assistants have completed the necessary background checks through the Criminal Records Bureau. There is always an adult who has attended a paediatric first aid training course supervising the children. The childminder has attended safeguarding training so that she knows the steps to take if she has concerns about a child's welfare. Relevant systems are in place to record any accidents or when medication is administered and documentation with information about the children is securely stored. Suitable use is made of safety gates to prevent children accessing potential hazards in the kitchen or upstairs. However, children may not be fully protected as the childminder has not yet carried out a full risk assessment of her premises to ensure

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the early years provision

that all risks are minimised, both indoors and outside. This is a breach in the welfare requirements.

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures that her home is welcoming for children. She finds out about individual requirements and cultural backgrounds right from the start. The childminder uses space appropriately to provide floor and table top areas where children can engage in play. Children also relish the opportunity to choose whether to play indoor or outside in the garden. There is a sufficient range of toys available, most of which children can access for themselves. This includes some books and play resources which help children to develop a respectful awareness of diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended all the mandatory training and is keen to attend any further training courses available to her. She reads childminding publications to update her childcare knowledge and ensure some improvements are made. However, she has not yet implemented an effective system which will enable her to monitor and evaluate all areas of the provision and also help identify ways in which the outcomes for children can be improved.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the very friendly relationships the childminder establishes with their parents. Written policies and procedures are shared. There are clear contracts and parents sign the relevant consent agreements. Written day books, text and picture messages or verbal feedback are used to keep parents informed about their children's day. Parents are given the opportunity to make comments This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about the care provided. They express that they particularly value the childminder's dedication, openness, flexibility and say that the assistants are kind and approachable. The childminder understands the importance of planning smooth transitions and forming suitable partnerships with key workers from pre- schools and nurseries, when the need arises.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel comfortable and secure and they have close relationships with the childminder and her assistants. Interaction promotes children's language and vocabulary as children are encouraged to repeat new words and use colours and numbers in their conversations. Children receive plenty of praise and encouragement and demonstrate that they feel safe by readily approaching the adults for a cuddle. They behave generally well and are learning to share and take turns. In addition, children are encouraged to behave positively through positive reinforcement of good behaviour and clear guidelines as to expectations and boundaries within the household.

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and outcomes for children

Children are suitably developing the skills they need for future learning. They enjoy mark making with pencils and paint sticks and start to recognise letters and numerals through using puzzles and games. Outings to soft play centres or to parks to feed the ducks help to develop their knowledge and understanding of the local environment and the natural world. Children make steady progress because the childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She rotates toys and resources to maintain children's interest and plans experiences broadly linked to all areas of learning, such as cooking and planting seeds. The childminder has started observing children's progress and compiling individual books with photographs of their achievements. However, she has not yet organised a systematic approach to using her observations, or those of parents, to plan the

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and outcomes for children

next steps in the children's development to enable them to achieve as much as they can.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about supporting their own health and safety through daily routines. The garden is used to extend children's experiences in the fresh air and to provide children with opportunities to use larger physical play equipment. Drinks, nutritious snacks and home-cooked meals are provided. The childminder has attended food safety training to ensure that meals are hygienically prepared and is well aware of any special dietary requirements. Young children develop independence skills as they learn to feed themselves. However, they are less able to develop independence skills when washing and drying their hands as they cannot comfortably and safely reach the taps of the hand basin or the individual towels. Children gain an acceptable understanding about their personal safety as they follow sensible road safety routines or take part in regular evacuation procedures. 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 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

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Stage

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

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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

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 25/05/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 25/05/2012

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