Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY442516 Inspection date 02/08/2012 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 2012. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and five years in a house in a residential area in North Weald, Essex. All areas of the childminder's house are registered for childminding and access is via one low step into the front door. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children at any one time of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the early years age range, both 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and takes children on 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

Children are happy and settled and demonstrate a strong sense of belonging within the security of the childminder's home. They make good progress as they take part in plenty of interesting and rewarding activities, which cover all aspects of their learning and development. The childminder provides an inclusive service where each child is valued and their individual needs are known and met. The procedures that promote children's welfare and safety are mainly effective. Good relationships are in place with parents and the childminder is starting to forge links with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. Systems for self- evaluation, planning, observation and assessment are successful and the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop partnerships with the other settings that children attend within the Early Years Foundation Stage to enhance continuity in care and learning  carry out regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The home environment is very clean, well organised and welcoming with very good quality play materials easily accessible to children. The essential documentation that promotes the safe and efficient management of the setting is systematically maintained and children are effectively safeguarded. All adults in the household have completed the relevant background checks. The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge of child protection procedures and knows who to contact should she have any concerns. A clear safeguarding policy supports her practice and is shared with parents. The risk assessment is thorough and ensures that any potential safety and security risks are promptly identified and appropriately minimised, both inside and outdoors. The childminder is mindful of hot weather and ensures children wear sun lotion and sun hats. She implements good health and hygiene practices, for example, disposable gloves are worn when

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the early years provision

changing children's nappies. This ensures that children are protected against the risk of cross-infection.

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the early years provision

Inclusive practice is well promoted and all children are included in activities. The childminder is very responsive to individual personalities and development. She is confident in her knowledge of how to develop children's understanding of diversity so that all differences are valued fully. Individual needs are fully discussed with parents and this gives the childminder a secure understanding of all children and enables her to meet their care needs effectively. There are clear settling-in procedures to ensure children are happy and settled and daily diaries used for young children keep parents informed of the care routines. The childminder encourages parents to be involved in their child's learning and they complete the necessary information that enables the childminder to assess starting points and children's learning at home. The childminder is starting to establish partnerships with the other settings that children attend in the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

However, they are not yet fully embedded to promote continuity in children's care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about what she does and is keen to promote the best possible outcomes for the children. Children benefit from the care of a qualified nursery nurse who has attended all the mandatory childminding training. She is keen to develop her service and meets with other childcare practitioners to share information and exchange ideas. The childminder effectively uses a range of methods to evaluate her practice and reflective practice is ongoing. She demonstrates a good awareness of her strengths and the things she would like to improve. She has completed the Ofsted self-evaluation form and consults with parents to obtain their views about her service. The parents make very positive comments and say they really appreciate how she manages to strike a good balance between working as a professional child carer and offering the personal touch needed for individual children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children smile and laugh as they play. They are confident and show by their actions that they are at ease in the childminder's care. Children happily go to her for comfort, reassurance and support and she is warm and affectionate towards them. Children demonstrate good language and communication skills and this is enhanced by the childminder through good quality interaction. Children show an avid interest in books and have definite favourites that they like the childminder or visitors to read to them. The childminder reads with expression and captures children's attention by asking open-ended questions and encouraging them to look at the pictures. Children are also encouraged to read for pleasure when they visit the local library and join the 'Story Lab' scheme during the summer holidays.

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and outcomes for children

Children are effectively developing the skills they need for future learning. They calculate and use mathematical language to describe size and shapes in everyday play. Children play creatively and show great fascination when they discover they can mix paint to create new colours. They have good opportunities to use resources that develop their understanding of technology. Children behave well and display good manners. Their good behaviour and effort is promptly acknowledged by the childminder and their self-esteem is boosted when the childminder takes photographs and displays their models. The childminder provides them with a positive role model to follow and is calm and caring. Children learn about themselves and the wider community in meaningful ways. For example, they learn through general discussion and participating in creative activities inspired by cultural festivals and special events.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in relation to their starting points because the childminder knows them very well and is intuitive with regards to their individual needs and personalities. She regularly observes children and uses what she discovers to plan their experiences and assess their progress. She records what she notices within beautifully presented learning journey books, which also contain a wealth of photographs and samples of children's artwork. The childminder is constantly reviewing and refining how she uses her assessments to plan interesting activities securely based on individual children's learning priorities. She also tracks children's progress and achievements to ensure there are no gaps in learning. The learning journey books are regularly shared with parents so they can contribute their comments and observations.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to keep themselves safe as they learn about road safety on outings. The childminder talks to them about fire safety procedures, however, they have not yet practised an evacuation drill so that they know how to swiftly exit the premises in an emergency. Children's health is effectively assured as they follow good hygiene procedures and enjoy a wide range of healthy and nutritious meals and snacks. Mealtimes are social events and children develop independence skills when pouring their own drinks. Children learn about the benefits of an active lifestyle as they enjoy lots of physical exercise and fresh air. They regularly play outside in the childminder's garden, visit parks and go for walks in the local 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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