Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 03/12/2012 29/02/2012

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 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

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This provision is good

 The childminder is highly skilled in helping children form secure emotional attachments.  There is a well-resourced, stimulating environment that is welcoming and extremely child friendly.  There are strong partnerships with others who are involved in the care and learning of the children, which ensures that children receive relevant support and consistency in their learning. Transition to preschool and school is good as a result.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Steps taken to encourage parents to comment on and share their views about their child's learning are not yet fully effective.  Self-evaluation is not sufficiently robust. The views of parents and children are not used to best effect in helping to strengthen the drive for continuous improvement.

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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.

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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.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities taking place in the sitting room and playroom.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the observations.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's observation and assessment records, a selection of policies, the childminder's self-evaluation documents and children's records.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2003 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and 10 years in a house on Mersea Island, Essex. The whole of the premises is used for childminding. There is a garden for outdoor play. The childminder attends a toddler group, the local beach and zoo on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and preschools.

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Information about the setting

There are currently three children on roll, one of which is in the early years age group and attends on a part-time basis. The childminder offers a flexible service. She is open all year round from Monday to Friday except for family holidays.

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

 enhance the relationship with parents and carers so that they feel confident to share what they know about their child's learning and development, and use this shared knowledge to plan together ways of moving their child forward

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

 review and extend the evaluation system to make the most of the views of parents and children, and use this information to strengthen practice and enhance children's achievements.

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who attend

Children have fun and are making good progress as the childminder has a secure understanding of how children develop. The childminder is able to promote and develop their skills effectively, in all areas of learning. Children are offered challenge in their play as the childminder provides a very good range of toys and resources that are interesting and meet the needs of the children attending.

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who attend

Children are cared for by an experienced childminder who has a secure knowledge of how to consistently promote children's development. The childminder has high expectations for the children she cares for and takes time getting to know the children and their family before they start. Therefore, children settle very well. They make very good progress as children are fully supported in their language, physical and emotional development. Accurate observations show how children are developing consistently in their expected development bands and are acquiring skills for their next steps in learning.

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who attend

The childminder ensures she is aware of the children's interests. For example, children enjoy dancing and music, so the childminder organises outings to singing and dancing sessions at the local library. Musical instruments are readily available so that children can experiment with sounds and make music. Several opportunities are in place to involve parents in their children's learning. For example, they complete a child record form when they start and are informed daily of their children's activities and achievements. Parents are also welcome to look at their child's development record. However, the arrangements made for encouraging parents to routinely comment on their child's learning and contribute their thoughts about what their child needs to learn next are not yet fully effective, and this hampers the childminder from gaining a full and detailed view of all children's achievements. Children enjoy a well-organised environment where they can

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who attend

select resources to support their play. They giggle and show curiosity when making ice cream using the play dough and equipment. Young children have great fun making up words and using a wide vocabulary, such as 'knickerbocker glory' in their play.

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

Children have developed warm and trusting relationships with the childminder and her family. This is because the childminder ensures they are welcomed into a fun and child- friendly environment. Time is taken to settle children well and she is skilled and sensitive to children's unique needs. As a result, children are able to develop their independence and explore within a safe a secure environment. Children show confidence in social situations. For example, they have great fun participating in singing sessions about a popular pig character at the library. They happily involve the inspector and childminder in their games.

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

Children understand the importance of healthy eating as this is positively encouraged by the childminder. Activities are provided to encourage children to think about good and bad foods. Children understand about keeping themselves safe in the sun. For example, they know to wear sun cream and hats and have fun eating ice lollies in the shade. The childminder gives priority in keeping the children safe and has devised good procedures for activities outdoors. For example, detailed risk assessments are completed. Young children wear reins or wrist bands when walking outdoors to ensure they do not run off. The childminder carries detailed information and resources to ensure children's safety in the event of an accident.

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

Children's personal, social and emotional skills are developing very well. Children learn to take turns and share toys as the childminder sets good boundaries and provides many opportunities for socialising. Children take pride in helping others. For example, they take part in a sponsored walk to help children less fortunate than themselves.

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

Children have an understanding of the importance of good hygiene routines. This is because the childminder teaches them about germs and the need to wash hands before snacks and meals. These routines are familiar to the children, who independently wash their hands and select fruit for their snack. They happily help the childminder peel oranges and chop apples. Children understand the importance of exercise and excitedly talk about wearing their wellington boots so that they can splash in puddles while out walking.

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

Children visit the local preschool and school regularly to collect children with the childminder. She has developed good relationships with the staff and this contributes positively to the children's smooth transition into school.

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provision

Children are offered a broad range of learning experiences as the childminder effectively monitors the educational programme. The childminder has a secure knowledge of how children learn and of their differing learning styles, and has secured a place on an Early Years Foundation Stage training day to ensure her knowledge is fully up to date. As a result, children progress very well towards the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder is very intuitive about the children in her care and has a clear understanding of their skills and abilities. She establishes good opportunities for parents to be involved in their children's learning when they first attend. The childminder is aware of their likes and dislikes. However, less opportunity is available for parents to continually share what they know about their child and their continued development with regard to the children's next steps of learning.

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provision

Children are able to play in a secure, safe, organised home and are suitably safeguarded as a clear and effective system is in place. This is because the childminder ensures she is fully up-to-date with current practices through training. Policies provided for parents detail the procedure to follow should she have any concerns regarding any child's welfare.

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provision

Although parents' views are sought and children make their wishes and requests known while they are in the childminder's care, these are not yet used effectively as part of the childminder's self-evaluation process and this hinders the drive for excellence. The childminder has been proactive in forming working relationships with other settings children attend. For example, with parent's permission she is invited to attend development meetings about the children. As a result of working together, children's learning is supported well. Partnerships with parents are very good because the childminder warmly welcomes them into the home and offers a very flexible service to meet their needs.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY266219 Local authority Essex Inspection number 819836 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 3

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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.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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,

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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’.

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Type of provision

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

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