Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY431801 Inspection date 26/04/2012 Inspector Angela Jackson

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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 seven and 14 years in a residential area in Loughton, Essex. All areas of the house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet dog and keep fish in an aquarium.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of five children aged under eight years at any one time, of which no more than three may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently minding three children in the early years age range. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder supports children who are learning to speak English as an additional language and 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 establishes strong working partnerships with parents and has a well developed knowledge of each child's individual needs and interests. She uses her excellent knowledge of the learning requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to plan interesting and stimulating activities. The childminder promotes full inclusion and supports children in learning to speak English as an additional language. Overall, children quickly settle in her care and make very good progress in their learning and development. The childminder regularly reflects on her practice and demonstrates a very good capacity for further improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the risk assessment process so that particular aspects identified as needing regular and consistent checking are subject to a planned review.

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the early years provision

Children are well safeguarded and protected. The childminder has an excellent understanding of child protection issues and how to manage any concerns she may have about children in her care. Her policies are clear and there are very good procedures in place to make sure children are supervised at all times. In addition, the childminder has risk assessed her home and provision and carries out a full risk assessment for visits and outings. The risk assessments correctly identify where more regular checks need to be made to make sure children are always kept safe. For example, keeping the cords of window blinds at a high level and out of reach This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 of children, and checking the batteries of the smoke alarms. The childminder demonstrates a good awareness of the need to carry out these checks at appropriate intervals, but the system for ascertaining when further reviews should

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the early years provision

Toys and equipment are clean and well maintained and stored at low level so that children are able to access them freely and independently. The garden area is attractive and extremely well organised. There are clearly defined sections for different types of play and for different age groups. Steps and gates separate the different areas and reduce the risk of younger children falling on the steep incline. As part of her ongoing evaluation and reflection of her practice and provision, the childminder has identified further improvements for action. She is very aware of her strengths, such as her commitment to improve learning outcomes for children and to promote healthy lifestyles. For example, she plans to put further fencing at the bottom of the steps to make the lower area contained and safer for young children. She has already fixed outdoor chalk boards to the walls of the lower area and is developing the space for creative and imaginative play activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents to make sure she effectively meets children's needs and parents' preferences. She regularly provides updates on children's progress through discussion, a daily diary and texts or emails. Parents appreciate photographs emailed to them at work and the 'incredible amount of activities' children participate in and which 'make a huge contribution to their development'. The childminder is forming good partnerships with professionals in the wider context, such as schools and nurseries. She is supportive of parents and is able to provide contact details for a range of support and health staff at the local children's centre. This means that emerging concerns about special educational needs or disabilities are able to be dealt with sensitively and promptly. All children are fully included in all activities and the childminder promotes children's understanding of diversity in the community and wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to keep themselves safe and healthy on daily walks to and from the local schools and when visiting nearby parks and forest areas. The childminder explains about road safety and the importance of staying together when out. Other visits during the week include a visit to a children's centre where children have good opportunities to socialise and to learn to share with other children. Children's understanding of keeping safe is extended by regularly practising emergency evacuation of the house and garden. They recognise what they have to do when the alarm is sounded or the whistle blown, and are beginning to understand why it is dangerous to panic and run. Children are learning to use small tools and equipment safely as they cut play dough with scissors and use appropriate cutlery to eat the freshly prepared meals and snacks provided for them. Children are offered a wide range of fruit and vegetables each

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and outcomes for children

day and enthusiastically eat olives and strawberries or tuna risotto and garlic bread. These tasty dishes provide variety and encourage children to try different foods and new flavours. Before and after eating children follow good hygiene This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 routines such as washing their hands and faces.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about the needs of other living creatures through planned activities, such as caring for their tadpoles and watching them grow. Children's interest in animals and other living creatures is further encouraged as children give each tadpole a name and spend time with the family's pet dog. Children develop an understanding of the pet's feelings and his needs and benefit from learning to respect animals and each other. As a result, children are well behaved, kind and courteous. Children enjoy books and there is a good range of resources, including puzzles and dolls, that help children to understand difference and diversity in the community and wider world.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an excellent knowledge of children's individual likes and dislikes and uses observations to plan a wide variety of activities across all areas of learning. She has a very good awareness of how children learn and builds on their previous experiences to extend and challenge children further. For example, children's fascination with dinosaurs is used to develop number skills. A display of colourful, numbered dinosaurs provides an excellent opportunity for children to examine, name and count them. Later, for an exciting sensory experience, children thrust their hands into a bowl of homemade yellow spaghetti, with green jelly dinosaurs lurking in its depths. Children are curious and enjoy investigating the new materials and make the most of the opportunities they offer. Afterwards, they sit with a large bowl of water, scooping and pouring it from different containers and spoons. Throughout the day the childminder chats and explains things to

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and outcomes for children

children clearly and thoughtfully. Children are therefore settled and independent learners who enjoy positive relationships with her. Children confidently play with interactive games and toys that incorporate new technology and are developing strong skills for the future. 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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