Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY357918 Inspection date 23/05/2012 Inspector Lynn Hughes

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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 2007 and lives in Chelmsford, Essex. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding along with one first floor bedroom. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The childminder has two pet dogs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children attending who are within this age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. 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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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 welfare, learning and development needs are met to a good standard. The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each of the children in her care and works well with their parents to meet their needs. Children participate in an interesting range of activities, some of which are planned and some freely chosen. Resources are of good quality, although limited to fully enable children to further develop their knowledge of the wider community. The childminder has good partnership working practices in place and is beginning to develop systems to enable her to work in partnership with other settings which children attend. The childminder demonstrates a good commitment to her role and for making continuous improvements within her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the sharing of relevant information where children receive care and education in more than one setting to promote continuity and progression for all children  improve the range of resources to support children's opportunities to develop positive attitudes to diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of her responsibilities with regards to protecting children. She feels confident that she has relevant information on hand to deal with any concerns appropriately. She is also in the process of updating her safeguarding knowledge through an on-line training This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 course. All adults living on the premises are vetted and proof of their clearance is held on file. Minded children are always in the supervision of the childminder. Children play and learn in a safe and secure environment as the childminder risk assesses her home on a regular basis.

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the early years provision

The childminder strives to provide a good quality provision for the families in her care and is committed to driving ambition and continuous improvement. She has implemented a number of changes to her working practices over the past two years and now feels confident in the presentation of her paperwork, her partnership with parents and her general delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She participates in a self-evaluation process which enables her to review her policies, risk assessments and practices on a regular basis.

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the early years provision

Children freely access toys and play materials from the range presented at their height each day. The childminder has a larger selection of equipment stored in a spare bedroom which she alternates regularly to provide children with new experiences. She supports children's learning by sitting with them and chatting about the toys and how they are playing with them. Children are provided with some opportunities to extend their knowledge of other people's different needs and cultures through planned activities. However, at present the range of resources which reflect the wider community are limited which means that children do not see positive images of other people in their everyday environment.

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the early years provision

Parents are provided with clear information about the childminder and her provision. She presents a well-organised policy booklet which details all of her procedures and practices. Daily diaries are used to communicate information to parents on a daily basis as well as clear verbal discussions. Parents are provided with opportunities to view their children's learning journeys and to discuss their children's progress with the childminder at planned open evenings or at a time convenient to them. The childminder has formed links with local schools and other early years settings which children attend to promote continuity in children's care and learning. However, at present these links do not fully enable her to share relevant information about children's progress and achievements with other key persons in their lives.

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and outcomes for children

Children actively participate in a range of planned and freely chosen play experiences. They move confidently around the childminder's home making good use of the clear floor space available to extend their play. Their creative and social development is enhanced as the childminder regularly attends local toddler groups and messy play sessions with them. This provides children with opportunities to participate in a wider range of learning opportunities. Children are busy and active during their day; for example, they play excitedly with the selection of age- appropriate toys on offer to them. They show interest and are motivated to learn. They enjoy the interaction they receive from the childminder and cooperate well with other minded children. An effective system for observing children's play and learning enables the childminder to assess their development. She records her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

observations in individual learning journeys and uses photographs to support her evidence of their progress. The identification of children's next steps in learning enables the childminder to plan individual activities which will help them to further develop.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about keeping healthy as the childminder is committed to providing them with a well-balanced and nutritious diet. They enjoy a wide range of fresh and home cooked meals throughout their day and generally drink water or milk to remain well hydrated. The childminder ensures that children understand good hygiene practices, such as hand washing after using the toilet, before meals and when they have petted the childminder's dogs. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise on a daily basis when they play in the childminder's well-equipped garden, go for walks in the local area or visit parks and playgrounds. The childminder actively encourages them to participate in physical activities and to be active by reminding them about keeping healthy. Children feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. They approach her with ease and move comfortably around the areas of the home available to them. They learn about good safety procedures,

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and outcomes for children

such as crossing the road safely, as the childminder reminds them each time they take a journey outdoors.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident, settled and content in the childminder's care. They are praised and encouraged by the childminder to help to build their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder has firm house rules which she ensures children learn to enable them to adhere to her expectations. All children are treated with equal concern and the childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of their individual backgrounds. The range of activities and resources available to children enable them to develop skills for the future. They are beginning to use language to communicate and activities provided for them enable them to use numbers and to learn about numeracy. They also develop their knowledge and understanding of the world when they explore the natural environment. 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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