Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10/01/2013 02/07/2009

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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

 There is a warm, welcoming and stimulating learning environment in which children are secure, happy and confident to express themselves.  The childminder places an extremely sharp focus on helping all children to acquire communication and language skills. She is particularly skilled in supporting children who have English as an additional language.  The childminder understands how children learn. She supports all children to make good progress through child-initiated and structured adult-led activities.  Good quality and accessible resources meet the individual children's interests and keep them motivated.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Children have fewer opportunities to play without purpose as treasure baskets containing everyday objects and natural play materials are limited.  There is scope to further enhance self-evaluation in the drive to improve achievements for children over a sustained period of time.

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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 lounge and breakfast room.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder as 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, children's records and written comments from parents.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2005. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her partner and two children aged five and nine years in a house in Colchester, Essex. The whole of the house and the rear garden are used for childminding. The family has a dog, cat, rabbit and chickens as pets.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the local shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools.

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Information about the setting

There are currently four children on roll, one of these children is in the early years age group and attends on a part-time basis. The childminder operates all year round except bank holidays and family holidays. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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

 provide natural play materials and treasure baskets to enable children to explore and discover everyday objects and play without purpose

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

 enhance the self-evaluation process by formulating a clear plan of action to further encourage children's highest levels of achievements over a sustained period of time.

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who attend

The childminder provides children with a variety of fun and interesting learning opportunities that covers all areas of learning effectively. Children are making good progress and this is because the childminder has a secure understanding of how children learn and develop. As a result of careful observations the children are offered challenges in their play.

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who attend

Children can access a range of quality toys and resources that is interesting and meets the needs of the children attending. The childminder is aware of each child's particular interests, because she encourages both the children and parents to contribute to their play and learning. For example, time is taken to get to know the children and their family before they start. Children's abilities, likes, dislikes and routines are discussed and documented. Therefore, children settle very well and have formed close attachments to the childminder and her family.

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who attend

Children make good progress towards the early learning goals as they are fully supported in their language, physical and emotional development. They take part in activities that help them develop skills they need for future learning, such as cooking and shopping. There are labels and signs displayed around the home to help children become familiar with words and numbers. The childminder is experienced in supporting children who have English as an additional language and ensures appropriate resources are readily available to support their communication and language development. Time and care is taken to ensure the childminder has useful words and phrases in a child's home language, which is embraced and valued within the home.

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who attend

Parents are positively encouraged to share information and assessments of their children with the childminder. The childminder knows the children well and she efficiently monitors children's progress. This is through the systematic use of photographs and observations, which are clearly recorded within individual development journals. These are consistently shared with parents who are also offered annual reports from the childminder, with a summary of their child's learning outcomes. Parents are therefore fully informed of their child's continued progress and are able to support learning at home. A daily diary and planning book are also used to enable parents to regularly make suggestions and contribute towards their child's next steps in learning.

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who attend

Young children enjoy using the play dough. This offers good sensory experiences. For example, they smell the dough and discuss that it feels cold and smooth. They discuss shape and colour. Children are learning simple sums as they count the objects they use in their play, such as, rolling pins and cutters. Children's physical development is progressing well as they have great fun playing in the woods, balancing on logs, exercising and getting fresh air. They are fascinated by snails they find and line them up in the garden. The childminder encourages them to think about how to care for the snails. Children enjoy stories and know how to handle books well; they comfortably sit on the childminder's lap and join in the stories helping to turn the pages.

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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. They are happy in the childminder's home and this is because the childminder ensures they are welcomed into a fun and child friendly environment.

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

The childminder is skilled and sensitive to support children's unique needs as good information and a good settling-in process means children develop their confidence, independence and explore within a safe and secure environment. A range of resources is available to the children within the lounge where they play. These resources are organised and easily accessible for self-selection. However, there is little opportunity for children to use everyday objects and treasure baskets. Therefore opportunities for the children to use language to question, experience different textures or explore and discover are not maximised.

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

Children are beginning to understand the importance of healthy eating and taking responsibility for their personal needs, as this is positively encouraged and supported by the childminder. For example, through familiar everyday routines, where the children enjoy fruit for snack and know to wash hands before eating. They independently take themselves to the bathroom and are praised for their efforts. The childminder sets clear boundaries and has high expectations for the children in her care. As a result, children's behaviour is very good and they are achieving well. The childminder gives priority in keeping the children safe. For example, detailed risk assessments are completed that include the family pets. Children are learning how to keep themselves safe in an emergency as they practise evacuation procedures.

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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 well. For example, the childminder organises regular visits to the local toddler group and children's centre where they socialise with other children. Children are familiar with the local school as they regularly visit to collect children with the childminder. The childminder has established good relationships with the staff and this contributes positively to the children's smooth transition into school.

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provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of her responsibilities in meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. For example, children are offered a varied range of learning experiences as the childminder effectively monitors the educational programme she provides. She has meaningful policies and procedures and places a high priority in promoting children's safety.

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provision

Children are able to play in a very organised home and are suitably safeguarded. This is because appropriate checks have been completed on all members of the household. Policies that are provided for parents detail the procedure that the childminder will follow should she have any concerns regarding any child's welfare.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude to ongoing improvement of her childminding provision. She has developed detailed parental questionnaires, however these are infrequently used to obtain parents' and children's views. There is scope to further enhance the self-evaluation process by formulating a clear plan of action to fully support children's high level of achievements over a sustained period of time. All recommendations raised at the last inspection have been addressed to ensure children's welfare is safeguarded.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are good because the childminder warmly welcomes them into the home and offers a very flexible service to meet their needs. The completion of a 'My Unique Child' booklet ensures the childminder is fully informed regarding each child's routines and individual needs. Well-established links with the local school and other early years providers promote continuity in children's care and learning.

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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 EY292258 Local authority Essex Inspection number 820095 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 4

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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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