Childminder in Thurrock

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY437002 Inspection date 24/05/2012 Inspector Jo Rowley

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and three years. They live in a house in a residential area in Purfleet, Essex. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder works with an assistant.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. 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. There were no children present at the time of the inspection.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. 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 provides a warm and welcoming environment. She takes some steps to promote children's welfare through established daily routines and she has a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures. The childminder promotes an inclusive environment by welcoming every child equally. Children make satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals, based on the childminder's knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has built positive and appropriate links with parents to promote consistency in children's care. The childminder is committed to developing her practice, however, there have been limited steps taken by the childminder to monitor and evaluate her setting through self-evaluation.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain written parental permission for children to take part in outings, with particular reference to regular school runs  improve the system of self-evaluation to ensure that parents and children are involved in a meaningful way and monitor the impact that the improvements have on the outcomes for children. 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 a sound understanding of safeguarding procedures in order to protect the children in her care. She has devised written policies and procedures, which are shared with parents and she is aware of her role and responsibility with reference to reporting concerns. The childminder has devised risk assessments, which are completed to identify and address any hazards and promote children's safety, both in the home and car. To further promote children's safety, a risk assessment has been completed for each type of outing they take part in. However, written permission is not requested for children to take part in outings and therefore the regular school runs that the childminder carries out have not been fully consented to. Children's well-being is generally well protected because the childminder has a relevant paediatric first aid qualification. Therefore, in the event of an accident the childminder would have the appropriate knowledge to

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the early years provision

deal with this appropriately. Children learn about staying safe as they talk about road safety regularly whilst out in the car and when walking.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has completed additional training to extend her understanding. All children are equally welcomed into the childminder's setting regardless of their background. Her equal opportunities policy is shared with parents to ensure that no child is discriminated against and to promote inclusion. Furthermore, the childminder has some understanding of cultural differences to support children's awareness of the wider community. Children have opportunities to use toys which are age and stage appropriate and they are able to make independent choices about their play because they can access resources which are stored at their height. Parents are provided with information about the childminder's policies and procedures at the start of a placement, which means that they are well informed about her service.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an appropriate relationship with parents and encourages them to share what they know about their children with daily communication being fully encouraged through discussion. The childminder has begun to build links with other providers, such as the local children's centre and schools, and she demonstrates an awareness of how this promotes consistency for children's development. The childminder acknowledges the importance of reviewing her practice and informally seeks parents and children's views. However, her self- evaluation processes are in their infancy and as a result, she has a limited awareness of her strengths and areas for improvement in order to make changes which promote outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a sound understanding of how children learn through play and of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has a suitable knowledge of the learning and development requirements, including the value of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 observation, assessment and planning. However, the children currently being cared for are only cared for during the school runs and as a result, opportunities for observations to be completed are limited as children are not being cared for in the childminder's home. The childminder demonstrates, through discussion, an awareness of how children would benefit from activities to develop their learning across all areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's independence is encouraged as the childminder encourages them to try and do things for themselves, such as putting on their coats and shoes. During the journeys to and from school children are generally listened to as the childminder allows them opportunities to talk to each other, sharing home information or discussions about what they've been doing at school. Children's behaviour is encouraged by the childminder who sets behaviour rules and promotes their self- confidence and good behaviour through praise. Children are encouraged to be kind to each other and learn about personal safety through discussion. For example, children talk about road safety and how to stay safe as they walk and drive to and from school.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children to have an appropriate awareness of personal hygiene. For example, explaining to them the importance of washing their hands before meal times and after playing outside at school. The childminder understands the importance of providing children with healthy snacks and meals and discussed how she would offer freshly prepared fruit snacks and balanced meals. A weekly menu would enable parents to see what their children are eating and the childminder demonstrates a suitable understanding of the importance of food being stored and served appropriately. 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: 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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