Childminder in Thurrock

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY433881 Inspection date 23/04/2012 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 2011. She lives with her partner and two children aged six and two years old in Grays in Essex. The whole of the childminder's 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 family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four 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 are currently two children attending who are 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes children on regular outings to the local park and library. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides interesting and enjoyable play experiences that successfully support children's learning and development. The assessment of children's progress is good. The childminder forms good links with parents, as a result they work together to meet children's individual needs. Suitable procedures are in place to work with other providers if required. Most regulatory documentation is in place, in order to safeguard children. The childminder is beginning to assess her childminding practice, indicating that she will maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 08/05/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will continuously improve the quality of the provision for all 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 good understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children and does so effectively. Good safety measures throughout the premises and sensible routines on outings all help to keep children safe. A detailed risk assessment is in place, fire drills are undertaken and the childminder demonstrates a good awareness of the need to constantly review safety measures as children's abilities increase. Policies and procedures are detailed, carefully catalogued and regularly reviewed, so that they reflect her practice and provision accurately. Most of the children's records required for the safe and efficient management of the childminding provision are in place and well managed. However, the childminder does not have written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment, which compromises children's safety in the event of an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an inviting and child-orientated environment. She uses the local community to extend children's learning and development further. The childminder promotes equality and diversity in a manner that is meaningful to children. For example, she provides toys and books containing positive images of culture and non-stereotypical images. The play area is inviting to children with well laid out accessible resources and activities to stimulate them. The childminder uses the space well within the home. She is positive about the inclusion of all children. She works to ensure that children of all ages are provided with appropriate activities and experiences. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to making further improvements and enhancing her provision. However, a regular process of self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development is not fully established.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds good relationships with parents as she is open and approachable, encouraging an important two-way flow of information. Detailed communication sheets provide information about children's daily care and learning experiences. Although, the childminder does not currently care for children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities or for children who attend other early years provisions, she understands the importance of working closely with other professionals. This would include outside agencies to ensure that children's needs are met effectively and sharing information with other settings, when appropriate, to support their continuity of care.

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and outcomes for children

Children make visible progress in their overall development. The childminder makes regular structured observations and identifies children's achievements, linking her findings to the areas of learning. She makes plans for children's next steps as she monitors and assesses their progress effectively to aid their learning and development towards the early learning goals. Flexible and informal planning systems meet children's changing developmental needs and ensure that they have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a variety of activities, both indoors and outside. The childminder plans activities to support children's individual interests. She notices that children particularly enjoy 'messy play', so she plans activities using corn flour and an array of different textures for them to explore. Creative play is well planned as children create pictures with paint and decorate Mother's day and Valentine's day cards using

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and gain confidence in the childminder's care. The childminder recognises children's needs and reacts promptly to meet them. A lot of positive interaction effectively supports children's language and vocabulary and promotes their confidence and self-esteem. Children benefit from a broad range of activities undertaken in the home and in the local community. They enjoy a good balance of indoor and outdoor play and the garden is used regularly to promote positive outcomes for children. For example, the trampoline, rocker and ride-on toys are used to promote physical development and promote turn taking. Children sit together with the childminder to read books. This promotes their interest in stories, reading and the care of books. Children have many opportunities to develop their social skills as they meet others regularly at the local toddler group and the parks in the local community.

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and outcomes for children

Numbers, shape and colour are used effectively in children's daily activities, which fully enhances their skills in counting and recognising different shapes and colours. For example, children enjoy rummaging around the large basket of different play foods, looking for the green broccoli and yellow bananas. They are encouraged to count to 10 when playing hide and seek. There is a good supply of varying construction to encourage problem solving. Children access jigsaw puzzles, games and electronic games. Children enjoy playing with and making a variety of musical instruments and happily bang and shake them with enthusiasm. They negotiate the push button toys to achieve the desired effect, making them smile and giggle. Communication and language is fostered positively through access to books, language games and role play. Children enjoy their learning and demonstrate their growing confidence as they interact with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy healthy and nutritious food provided by the childminder and drinks are available throughout the day. Children's behaviour is positively promoted. They are encouraged to share, take turns, be kind to each other and follow the house rules. The childminder praises the children frequently for their achievements. They are affectionate towards her and her family, demonstrating the strong personal bonds and their sense of security in the childminder's care. 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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