Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 01/07/2013 18/11/2008

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 2 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 3

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This provision is satisfactory

 Children are offered a wide range of interesting activities through the well-resourced indoor and outdoor play environments, which supports their learning and development.  Children's individual learning journals are particularly well organised, to give parents and others a clear understanding of what children enjoy and can do.  Children are settled as the childminder offers them reassurance, which helps them to feel safe and secure in her care and supports them in developing close bonds.

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It is not yet good because

 The childminder is not consistently providing the highest quality childcare and safeguarding children as she sometimes exceeds the number of children she is allowed to care for, which is a breach of requirements.  The opportunities for children to see useful printed words, so they learn to recognise connections between objects and their names, are not fully explored.  There is scope to extend children's confidence and their understanding of the world further, by sharing more photographs of their families, friends, pets or favourite people.

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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

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged 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 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  scheduled 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 in the indoor and outdoor learning environments and toured the premises.  The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children.  The inspector viewed the children's learning journals.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector saw evidence of suitability and qualifications of the childminder, risk assessment, policies and procedures and other documentation in relation to health and safety checks.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents from their comments in the children's learning journals.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2008 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and five years in Hockley, Essex. The childminder uses the whole ground floor of the house, the playroom in the cabin and the rear garden for childminding. The family has a pet dog.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends the local toddler groups and visits nearby parks on a regular basis. She walks or drives to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children.

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Information about the setting

There are currently five children on roll who are within the early years age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays and family holidays. She is a member of Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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must:

 improve childcare arrangements with regard to safeguarding and welfare requirements, by ensuring that the required adult-to-child ratios are met at all times.

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

 extend children's literacy skills by creating an environment rich in print where they can learn more about words, for example, by using names, signs and labels

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

 extend children's confidence and their understanding of the world, for example, by sharing with them photographs depicting their families, friends, pets or favourite people.

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who attend

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of how young children learn, and plans a wide range of activities to cover the areas of learning and provide variety for the children. She talks to children during their play, encouraging their explorations and extending their learning through conversation and questioning. This supports their communication and language well, and ensures that they develop a 'can do' approach to learning. The childminder uses her sound teaching skills to follow children's interests and plan weekly activities that enhance their learning. For example, when children show interest in the natural world, they go pond dipping or they plant seeds and observe the herbs and salad vegetables growing in the garden.

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who attend

Children are beginning to develop their self-care skills in preparation for starting nursery or school. For example, the childminder encourages them to attempt to put on their own shoes before going outside and they learn to open the food containers within their lunch boxes. Children have access to a range of books and enjoy frequent visits to local groups to join in singing and story times and develop their social skills. They learn about numbers and shapes through conversations and access to good quality games and puzzles. The childminder plans a range of craft activities that enable children to express themselves through design and creative arts. They learn to use tools, such as scissors and play dough utensils, which supports their physical control and coordination well. Children's pictures and models are displayed so they can take a pride in their achievements. However, there are few printed words displayed, for example, on storage boxes, to help children quickly

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who attend

recognise connections between objects and their names, and develop the skills they need for early reading.

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who attend

The childminder makes effective observations and regular assessments of children's learning and development. This helps to ensure that all children make the expected progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder collects initial information from parents to ensure she has a good understanding of the children's starting points in their learning. She creates beautifully presented individual journals and writes regular reports that clearly show what children enjoy and can do. Progress is carefully tracked to ensure that there are no gaps in learning. In addition, the childminder is successfully completing the required children's progress check at age two. This means that additional support can be identified and provided if progress is less than expected.

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who attend

Parents are kept well informed about the progress children make and the next steps the childminder has identified. They regularly get to see the learning journals and are encouraged to make comments about the children's achievements at home. This means that children benefit from a consistent approach to their learning, and it gives the childminder an accurate, all-round picture of their development.

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

The childminder is warm and caring, and children demonstrate a sense of belonging while in her care. She offers initial settling-in visits and ensures she collects pertinent information to meet children's individual needs. Children show that they are happy and settled as they easily select their toys and concentrate on their play. However, the childminder has not yet obtained and shared photographs of the children's families, friends, pets or favourite people. This provides scope to extend children's confidence, and give them more opportunities to recognise, discuss and share information about the important people in their lives. Children's transition on to new settings, such as nursery or school, is eased as the childminder shares information about the children with the key persons and ensures that children are well prepared beforehand.

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

Children develop good behaviour because the childminder is calm and consistent in her expectations. She encourages children to follow simple house rules and praises them for sharing and taking turns. There are also rewards, such as stickers, offered when children have made a significant effort or have been particularly helpful. Potty training is sensitively supported and the childminder manages toileting accidents with a minimum of fuss, to preserve children's dignity and self-esteem. Children are also learning about the importance of respecting others as books showing positive images of diversity are used and activities are planned to mark cultural events and festivals from the world faith calendar.

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

Children learn about healthy eating through practical activities, such as preparing their snacks and talking about foods that are good for them. The childminder provides children with varied and healthy, nutritious meals to support their good health. She teaches them effective hygiene routines to reduce the risks of cross-infection. Shoes are removed on entry to the playroom to maintain a high standard of cleanliness.

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

Children learn to keep themselves safe as they regularly practise the fire drill. On outings, children know they need to wear high visibility jackets so they can easily be seen, and they learn why they are not to approach strangers. The childminder is mindful of the effects of hot weather, and ensures that children wear appropriate sun protection and have regular drinks, so they do not become thirsty or dehydrated. Children learn about healthy lifestyles as they take part in physical activity, and develop their coordination using a range of apparatus in the garden or on visits to local parks.

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provision

This inspection took place due to a concern being raised regarding the childminder caring for too many children. Overall, the childminder has a reasonable understanding of the requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, she has recently misunderstood the requirement in relation to the permitted adult-to-child ratios. This means that there is an additional child on the premises at lunchtimes due to an overlap in the care she provides, and registers show recent previous over-minding. This is a breach in the welfare requirements. There is no evidence to suggest that children are at risk of harm, but as a result, the childminder is not meeting safeguarding and welfare requirements and providing the highest quality of care with optimum support for each individual child.

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provision

Children are generally suitably safeguarded and the childminder has clear policies and procedures in place to promote their welfare. She has undertaken training in safeguarding children to develop her knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of possible abuse. She understands and displays local procedures and knows who to contact if she has any concerns. Since the last inspection, the childminder has moved house and building work is currently taking place as part of the renovations to her new home. There is now a designated playroom in a large cabin in the garden. This means that children have a safe and clean place to play and learn. The childminder also regularly reviews her risk assessment and uses temporary barriers to ensure that children do not have access to significant hazards, such as building materials and tools, when they play in the garden.

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provision

The childminder has successful partnerships with parents and other professionals, which effectively support children's individual needs. Parents are kept well informed at all times about children's routines and their development. Information is shared verbally and through written newsletters and noticeboards. Well-established links with the local school and other early years providers promote continuity in children's care and learning.

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provision

The childminder is soundly aware of the importance of evaluating the service she provides, and reflects on what she does regularly to assess the impact on children's learning and development. She effectively uses the guidance document Development matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage to monitor children's progress. She also shows enthusiasm and dedication to her role and attends regular training events. The childminder is strongly committed to making ongoing improvements and meets regularly with other childminders to share ideas and discuss best practice. She is also receptive to any comments made by her local authority adviser. This means that the recommendations from the last inspection have been successfully addressed.

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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 action. 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 EY372123 Local authority Essex Inspection number 922850 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 7

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: 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, which are usually the childminder’s 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

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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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