Childminder in Thurrock

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY418078 Inspection date 11/05/2012 Inspector Tina Mason

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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 2010. She lives with her partner and three children aged three, 11 and 15 years old in Grays in Essex. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. Accessibility to the premises is via a small step to the front door. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than two may be in the early years age range and of whom, one may be under one year old. There is currently one child attending, who is within the early years age range. 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. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language.

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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

Children's individual needs are met well by the childminder, who includes them equally and helps safeguard their welfare effectively. Children are making good progress in their learning and development and in the main the assessment process supports future planning. Successful partnerships are established with parents. Systems to promote children's welfare are effective and most safety measures are in place. Overall, she has some good systems in place to monitor and evaluate her provision and demonstrates a strong commitment to maintaining continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop evaluation systems further to ensure that the quality of children's learning, development and care continues to improve  ensure risk assessments cover anything in which a child may come into contact, this specifically relates to children using the large trampoline in the garden  develop systems further for using children's next step in their learning to inform future planning to meet the children's individual needs as they progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded by the childminder, who has effective systems in place to help ensure their safety and well-being. The childminder has a clear understanding of her child protection responsibilities and the procedures to follow in the event of any concerns about a child's welfare. She conducts thorough risk assessments to help maintain good standards of health and safety and keeps a comprehensive record of her findings. However, a risk assessment for the large trampoline used by the children in the childminder's garden is not in place, which does not fully safeguard them when using this piece of equipment. Children are developing a sense of how to stay safe and an awareness of the safety of others, such as when sharing toys. The childminder's up-to-date policies and procedures strongly support children's welfare. All necessary records of accidents, incidents and administered medication are in place. For example, consent for emergency

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the early years provision

medical advice and treatment is obtained from parents. This ensures that all children are cared for in an emergency without delay.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established good partnerships with parents, who report positively on the care she provides. There is a regular exchange of information about the child's day. This supports the continuity of care for children. The childminder also uses well-presented 'All about me' learning journeys to provide good quality information about children's progress for parents. While children do not attend any other settings, the childminder recognises the importance of working in partnership with others involved in their care. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to making further improvements to her provision and to developing her knowledge of childcare by attending training. The childminder has a sound knowledge of her practice. However, her self-evaluation systems are not fully effective in ensuring that she identifies areas for development to further improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and nurturing environment for children. She organises herself and her resources well. This includes providing children with access to a changing range of toys, promoting independent play. She ensures that activities are suitable for all ages and interests. She also meets children's individual care routines consistently and as a result, they are all included equally and have their individual needs met effectively. The childminder recognises the importance of making good use of the outdoor learning environment. She ensures that children benefit from regular opportunities to enjoy fresh air and physical exercise in the garden and local parks. The childminder provides opportunities for children to explore their own cultures and beliefs and those of others.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from warm relationships with the childminder and from the homely environment that she creates. They are happy and content and demonstrate that they feel secure in her care. The childminder interacts well with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children to support their learning and they grow in confidence and show a developing ability to separate from her to explore on their own. Young children secure the skills they require, in order to progress in their learning and make good progress in their language, literacy and numeracy skills. The childminder encourages their attempts to imitate sounds and learn new words. For example, when completing an animal puzzle, the childminder sounds out the first letter of the word. She encourages the child to find this letter from the letter wall display. The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage

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and outcomes for children

Framework and makes accurate observations of children's learning in well- presented learning journals. She maintains an overview of each child's all-round development but does not formally plan for the children's next steps in their learning. As a result, levels of support are not always well targeted to meet children's individual needs and fully extend their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children form positive relationships with other children and there is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated play. Children enjoy a broad range of creative activities, for example, making marks and exploring paint with brushes, hands and feet. Children are supported well in developing an understanding of number, shape, size and quantity. The childminder uses mathematical language in their play to introduce this, such as counting bricks and encouraging the children to select those of a particular colour when building a bridge. They use language, including 'big' and 'small' when looking at what objects can fit under the bridge. Children problem solve and use their knowledge to complete puzzles and use activity toys successfully.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an awareness of their local community when they attend regular groups and facilities, including toddler group sessions, trips to the park, beach and library. They have many opportunities to learn about the environment and enjoy taking part in wildlife hunts. Children are also developing an awareness of the cultures and beliefs of others and explore festivals from around the world and play with many resources, reflecting diversity. Children use their imaginations well with role play resources and constructional sets. They also explore different media, materials and objects. For example, they squish, roll and model textured dough and draw, chalk, paint and make collage pictures.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted well. The childminder ensures that they have regular exercise and access to fresh air. Good hygiene is promoted by the childminder and children know that they must wash their hands before they eat and are familiar with the hand-washing routine in place after they go to the toilet. Children also enjoy snacks of fresh fruit and have regular drinks to stay hydrated. They learn about keeping safe, for example, identifying the correct places to cross the road when they are walking. The childminder offers good explanations to help children to learn right from wrong and self-discipline. Consequently, children are relaxed, play well together and have a strong sense of belonging. The childminder creates a positive environment, in which children learn to respect the needs and feelings of others. 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 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 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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