Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY330433 Inspection date 12/06/2012 Inspector Patricia Champion

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and child aged 11 years. The childminder and her husband also act as foster carers. They live in a house in a residential area in Braintree, Essex. All areas of the childminder's house are registered for childminding. Access is via one small step into the front door and the toilet facilities are on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family keep a bearded dragon and a rabbit as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently five children attending who are within the early years age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. 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. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local carer and toddler groups on a regular basis.

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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

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and they benefit from the helpful relationships the childminder builds with parents and other early years professionals. Although children make steady progress and their individual needs are soundly met, the system for using observations to identify learning priorities is not yet fully embedded. The essential paperwork that promotes children's welfare and safety is in place. The childminder demonstrates an encouraging commitment to improving and developing her practice. Most of the issues identified at the last inspection have been suitably addressed.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify the strengths and key priorities for development that will improve quality for all children  develop a systematic and routine approach of using observations to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress and involve parents as part of the ongoing observation and assessment process  extend children's knowledge and understanding of the world by creating a stimulating environment that offers a wider range of activities which will encourage children's interest and curiosity, both indoors and outside. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Documentation is effectively organised and stored appropriately to ensure confidentiality is maintained. Children are safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect because the childminder is well aware of her responsibility to refer any concerns she may have about their welfare. She has all the required information to be able to take the appropriate action and contact relevant agencies, when necessary. All adult members of the household have completed the relevant background checks and there are clear contingency cover arrangements with other childminders, in the event of an emergency. The childminder has implemented written risk assessments, which have been carried out on the property and for outings in the car. Consequently, children are cared for in a secure environment and effective safety measures are in place to protect them from hazards, such as, cupboard locks, a stairgate and fire guard. Toys and resources are arranged to

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the early years provision

enable children to access them independently and space is generally used appropriately to meet children's needs. Children are encouraged to develop an understanding of each other's differences. They have access to dolls, books and role play resources which reflect our diverse world.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively liaises with other early years professionals to ensure that children's unique needs are met and there are smooth transitions when they start nursery or school. She meets regularly with other childminding colleagues and attends sessions at local children's centres to keep updated on current childcare issues and trends. The childminder has attended all the mandatory training and since the last inspection she has achieved the Diploma in Home Based Childcare to help support her understanding of the Early Year Foundation Stage. Both the childminder and her husband have also attended specific training in relation to dealing with children's behaviour. The childminder has successfully addressed the actions set at the last inspection. However, she is still working towards meeting some of the recommendations. Although the childminder reflects on the service that she provides, she has not successfully implemented a process

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the early years provision

for evaluating the strengths and identifying key areas for improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder has open, honest and trusting relationships with parents. There are clear contracts so that parents are fully aware of the business arrangements and important certificates are displayed for them to view. The childminder has improved her written policies and procedures so that they that cover all aspects of her practice and she shares these with parents via email. The childminder is starting to encourage parents to become involved in their children's learning. She asks them to share their views of her childminding service. However, they are not yet contributing their own observations of children's progress and achievements as part of an effective assessment process. Parents say they really appreciate the childminder's flexibility and her efforts in building children confidence when developing communication and social skills. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and content in the childminder's care. They make steady progress as the play environment is reasonably conducive to learning. Children are provided with a suitable range of appropriate activities and resources are organised to enable them to make independent choices when they play indoors. The childminder has started to make her garden a safe and secure place for children to learn. However, the outdoor area is not yet a stimulating environment that encourages children's interest and curiosity, particularly when developing their knowledge and understanding of the world. The childminder is starting to link her routines and planned activities to the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure children have fun while they learn. She is beginning to take photographs of children as they play to record achievements. However, this system is still in its infancy and as a result the information gained from the observations is not

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and outcomes for children

consistently used to help plan to meet children's individual needs and next steps.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to develop the skills they need for future learning. They learn about the need for responsible behaviour and the childminder encourages politeness and good table manners when eating. The childminder encourages children to use numbers and recognise colours and shapes during everyday conversations. Consequently, they count and start to solve problems when completing puzzles. There are opportunities for children to take part in creative and imaginative learning experiences as they use play dough or act out scenarios using role play props. Books are within easy reach so that children can read or look at pictures for pleasure. Outings to local toddler groups give children opportunities to access a wider range of activities and play equipment.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate they feel safe as they explore their surroundings and enjoy finding out what they can do. The childminder ensures that children know the safe way to evacuate the premises in the event of an emergency. They gain a good understanding of road safety on outings and tell visitors that they have to hold hands when they cross the road and listen to the instructions of the school crossing patrol officer. The childminder has story books that raise children's awareness of potential dangers both in the home and when on outings. Children's health is suitably promoted by the childminder and they play in a generally clean environment. Children use disposable wipes to clean their hands before eating and they enjoy nutritious meals and snacks. The childminder is knowledgeable about any dietary requirements and she has sound policies regarding children's sickness to prevent the spread of infection. Children are able to enjoy fresh air and exercise

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and outcomes for children

because the childminder takes them to the local parks and open fields so that they can develop their physical skills and play energetically. 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 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 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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