Childminder in Essex

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY399483 Inspection date 15/08/2012 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 2009. She lives with her husband and two children aged six years and 20 months in Braintree, Essex. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools. The family have two guinea pigs.

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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. 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. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. 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's welfare, learning and development needs are effectively met through the childminder's clear policies and working practices. She demonstrates good knowledge of the children in her care and encourages them to become strong and independent young people. Children play in a safe and well-organised environment and participate in a broad range of planned and freely chosen play experiences. The childminder is beginning to develop procedures to enable her to work in partnership with other early years provisions. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement, however, at present this system does not effectively enable her to evaluate the learning outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the organisation of the setting by developing the use of self- evaluation to identify areas for improvement in all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage  develop the opportunities for partnership working where children receive care and education in more than one setting.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded and protected from harm as the childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of her responsibilities with regards to child protection. She updates her safeguarding knowledge through appropriate training courses. Children play and learn in a safe and well-organised environment as the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has effective procedures in place for risk assessing her provision. All adults living on the premises are appropriately vetted and proof of their clearance is held on file.

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the early years provision

This is the childminder's first inspection since registration. She has been actively caring for children in the early years age group for over a year and has developed effective systems to enable her to deliver all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She demonstrates a firm commitment to updating her knowledge through appropriate training courses and regularly meets with other registered childminders to share good practice and information about changes to childcare guidance. The childminder uses a basic self-evaluation process to review and monitor her provision, but this does not effectively evidence the ways in which she evaluates the learning outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder's home is child friendly and provides an appropriate amount of clear floor space in which children can explore and develop their play. They are provided with opportunities to select toys and resources from low-level storage cupboards which promotes and enhances their independence. They benefit from the close and supportive interaction they receive from the childminder who sits with them and extends their language and vocabulary skills. The childminder uses the knowledge she gains from training courses and childcare publications to enhance her childminding provision. For example, she includes some of the positive behaviour techniques learned through training in her everyday practice. All children are valued and respected in the childminder's setting. She spends valuable time getting to know them and their families in order to meet their individual needs. Children are encouraged to gain greater understanding of other people's

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the early years provision

different needs through books, resources and posters which reflect the wider community, as well as the celebration of festivals and special occasions.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good relationship with the parents of the children she cares for. They communicate effectively and share information on a daily basis. Parents are encouraged to play an active role in their children's learning by viewing and commenting on their learning journeys. Parents are provided with good opportunities to feed their views of the childminder's provision into her self- evaluation processes. The childminder works in partnership with other agencies and authorities. She understands the importance of developing systems to enable her to work with other early years provision when children attend more than one setting. However, to date has had limited opportunities to effectively implement these systems.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder. They are actively engaged in a wide range of play and learning opportunities. They participate in both planned experiences and have opportunities to guide their own play and learning. Children are taken on regular trips and outings to enhance their knowledge of the wider community and to explore nature and outdoor experiences. They have fun playing in the childminder's garden. They extend their physical skills by using a range of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 large scale physical play equipment, such as swings, slides and climbing resources. Children communicate well as the childminder encourages them to develop their vocabulary and to name objects in their everyday play. The childminder uses her well-documented observations to identify children's stages of development and to extend their knowledge across all six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave in ways which show that they feel safe and comfortable in the childminder's care. They move confidently around the areas of her home accessible to them. They cooperate well with each other and enjoy interacting with the childminder's family. Children develop knowledge about keeping safe as the childminder reminds them to play carefully together, to walk sensibly along the road and to use the outdoor equipment appropriately. Children remain healthy as the childminder meets their care needs effectively. She has clear procedures in place for ensuring that the spread of infection is minimised and encourages children to learn about good hygiene practices, such as hand washing. Children eat healthily and enjoy fresh fruit and vegetables for their snack. They have access to fresh drinks throughout the day to ensure that they remain well hydrated.

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and outcomes for children

Children settle well in the childminder's care and approach her with confidence. They receive constant praise and encouragement from the childminder to help to build their self-esteem. Clear boundaries and house rules on behaviour within the childminder's home ensure that children are aware of her expectations. The wide range of activities and learning opportunities the children enjoy enables them to develop essential skills for the future. For example, the childminder encourages them to count everyday objects and use numbers in their play. They explore a range of materials and demonstrate creativity through imaginative play and messy play opportunities. 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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