Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29/11/2012 Not Applicable

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She delivers all aspects of the framework well, ensuring that children's individual needs are effectively met.  Children behave in ways which show that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care.  The childminder and children have established warm, caring relationships, which enable children to feel safe, secure and confident in her care.  There are effective systems for checking sleeping babies, ensuring that children remain safe and are able to follow their natural sleep patterns.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to maximise on the natural curiosity of babies and toddlers by providing a range of natural materials and household objects that will help them to explore the world around them and discover new and interesting textures.

p.1

Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the lounge and garden.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with the childminder and her two co-childminders at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed the range of records and documentation relating to the childminder's service, including written policies, information about the children, records of their progress, training certificates, risk assessments, fire evacuation records, accident records and children's daily diaries.  The inspector took account of the views of parents, provided in written references.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2012 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She works at the home of another childminder. The co-childminder lives with her husband, three adult children and three foster children in a house in Loughton, Essex. The whole of the property and the rear garden are used for childminding.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder has completed basic training, including first aid. She visits the local shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local pre-school.

p.3

Information about the setting

There are currently 13 children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder cares for children all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays.

p.3

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 enhance opportunities for the youngest children to find out and discover the world around them through providing a range of everyday items and natural materials, such as pine cones, sea shells, ribbons, jar lids or cotton reels.

p.3

who attend

The childminder's good understanding of the children in her key worker group enables her to engage their interests and provide activities, which meet their individual needs and learning styles. She understands that children learn through play and encourages children to participate in both planned and freely chosen play experiences. The childminder understands the seven areas of learning and provides resources, which enhance children's development across all areas. The quality of the childminder's teaching is good, which enables all children to make secure progress in their learning.

p.3

who attend

The childminder works alongside two other registered childminders providing care for up to 10 children at a time. This creates a busy environment. At present, many of the children being cared for are aged under two years; therefore, the childminders are generally planning for the three prime areas of learning. This helps children to secure their knowledge and skills in communication and language, physical development and personal, social and emotional development. Children are well supported by the childminder. For example, younger children's babbles and noises are effectively responded to, creating emergent rules of conversation. They are provided with furniture and play equipment, which allows them to cruise around the room and 'find their feet'. Those who are beginning to take their first steps are enthusiastically encouraged by the childminder, who cheers and claps their attempts and achievements. The safe environment enables them to

p.3

who attend

The childminder has clear systems in place for observing the children in her key worker group. She records her observations in an observations book, which she uses to identify children's next steps in learning. The general planning shows the range of activities that are made available to children each day. However, while children are provided with a good range of plastic play equipment, they have fewer opportunities to explore natural materials that will help them to use their senses to discover different textures and interesting objects.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are content, settled and happy in the childminder's care as she is on-hand to support their individual needs at all times. The effective settling-in procedures in place ensure that children quickly adapt to their care environment and form secure attachments to the childminder and her two co-childminders. Children approach the childminder for cuddles throughout the day; using her as a secure base from which to explore their surroundings. The childminder uses effective praise and encouragement to develop children's self-esteem and confidence. She acts as a good role model, encouraging them to behave in ways which keep them safe. Effective systems ensure that children are well prepared and supported for their next stages of learning.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Regular routines, such as hand washing after using the toilet and before eating, ensure that children develop a clear understanding about good hygiene practices. The childminder involves children in their own care routines by talking to them about what they are going to do next, for example when preparing them for sleep or mealtimes. Children enjoy healthy meals, snacks and drinks during their time with the childminder. They sit together, and the adults present use mealtimes as a good opportunity for holding quiet discussions about the children's day, interests and family. The large numbers of children being cared for at one time means that mealtimes can be a busy time of the day. The childminder and her co-childminder try to plan for this by preparing all meals in advance, so that their time is spent directly with the children.

p.4

provision

The childminder demonstrates a secure knowledge of her responsibilities with regards to protecting the children in her care. She understands how to safeguard children and has plans to further develop her knowledge through an appropriate training course. All adults working with or having contact with minded children are vetted and proof of their clearance is held on file. Effective use of risk assessments and weekly safety checks, ensure that children remain safe and secure in the childminder's care.

p.4

provision

The childminder demonstrates a firm commitment to continually improving her provision for children and families. This is her first inspection since registration and she is beginning to effectively embed all aspects of her childminding service. Working with two other registered childminders enables her to discuss her practices and to make necessary changes based on these discussions and evaluations. A clear self-evaluation system enables her to identify areas for improvement. She has plans to involve parents in her self-evaluation process through the use of questionnaires.

p.4

provision

The childminder has a good working relationship with parents and provides them with clear information about their child's day. She completes daily diaries, which inform them about their child's routines and some of the activities they have participated in. Arrangements for parents to play a more active role in their child's learning are currently being further developed, along with suitable systems for working more effectively with the other early years settings that children attend.

p.5

The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

p.5

Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

p.5

Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

p.5

Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.6

Setting details

Unique reference number EY442944 Local authority Essex Inspection number 800912 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 13

p.6

Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

p.6

Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.6

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.6

Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

p.6

Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

p.7

Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.7

Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

p.7

Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.8

Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.8