Childminder in Thurrock

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20/02/2014 23/04/2012

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 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 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder talks to children and models good language. Consequently, children are making good progress in their communication and language skills.  The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard children in her care. She implements robust policies and procedures and consequently, children are kept safe.  The childminder constantly reflects on her practice, attends local training and seeks support to enable her to provide the best possible care and learning for the children placed with her.  Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder communicates regularly with parents so that they are fully aware of their children's care, and she actively seeks to involve them in their children's learning. This shared approach supports children's needs well.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Opportunities for children to explore, build, move and role play in the outdoor play environment are not maximised because there is a lack of flexibility with regard to use of the garden throughout the year.

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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 childminder's house and talked with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation, evidence of suitability of household members and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures.  The inspector took into account the views of parents and carers documented online.  The inspector reviewed and discussed the childminder's self-evaluation form.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2011 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her partner and two children aged eight and four years in Grays, Essex. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two pet dogs.

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Information about the setting

The childminder operates Monday to Friday all year round, except for family holidays. There are currently six children on roll, all of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder takes children on regular outings to the local park and library. She is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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

 extend opportunities for children to play in the garden throughout the year so that they can explore, build, move and role play in an outdoor learning environment.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of child development and the prime and specific areas of learning. She uses this knowledge to inform her planning and teaching as she provides interesting and challenging activities for children. Consequently, children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder undertakes regular observation and assessment to identify children's next steps in their learning. Consequently, she plans activities that provide individualised opportunities for children to enhance their learning. For example, children enjoy hunting for cardboard sheep hidden by the childminder and decorating them with cotton wool balls. The childminder supports older children to recognise their own name written on the sheep. She supports younger children to enjoy interacting with the older children and exploring the texture of the cotton wool. Consequently, all children are developing skills to support their future learning.

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who attend

The childminder supports children to develop their communication and language skills. For example, she talks continuously to the children and models pronunciation of words to support their developing communication and language skills. The childminder makes the most of opportunities during interaction with the children to ask open questions which encourage them to find out about the world around them, think critically and share what they know. Babies and toddlers confidently use gestures and words to demonstrate their needs. Children practise their early reading skills as, supported by the attentive childminder, they begin to identify letters and sounds when they explore books together. As a result, older children further embed and enhance their learning in readiness for school. The childminder provides opportunities for counting and identifying colours and shapes through everyday routines. Consequently, children are supported to develop their

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who attend

mathematical skills. Overall, teaching techniques are good as the childminder ensures there is sufficient time and space for children to concentrate and complete activities and experiences. This allows children to explore their own interests and use their imagination, for example, when decorating biscuits. Children are enthusiastic learners as the childminder provides an interesting blend of adult-led and child-initiated activities.

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who attend

The childminder welcomes parents warmly, gathering initial information about their child to help them settle. She encourages the parents to take part in activities to support their children's learning and development and gives regular online feedback about their children's progress. Regular newsletters and a dedicated website keep parents informed about the provision and give them ideas of activities to further enhance children's learning at home. As a result, good partnerships are established that promote children's continuity of care and learning.

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

The childminder forms secure bonds and positive relationships with the children in her care. As a result, children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. Highly effective settling arrangements provide parents and their children flexibility in the process. The childminder tailors care to suit the individual child's needs. She provide a warm, welcoming environment, flexible routines and interesting activities to help children settle and feel at home. She talks to parents to find out about children's needs, such as their likes and dislikes. This helps children to form secure emotional attachments which form the basis for future learning and development.

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

The childminder supports children to learn about safety and how to take reasonable risks as they explore their environment and resources. The childminder undertakes daily checks and completes rigorous daily risk assessment of the indoors and outdoors to identify potential hazards. Children's good health is protected because the childminder encourages them to be physically active. For example, they develop confidence and skills while they use challenging physical play equipment at the park. The childminder identifies different play activities that are organised in the garden during part of the year. However, during winter months, use of the outdoor play environment is not maximised to promote children's learning. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious meals and snacks provided by the childminder. Details about children's eating patterns are recorded on their daily feedback sheets for parents' information. The childminder sits with the children at

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

mealtimes, providing an effective role model as she demonstrates good table manners and helpful social skills. As a result, children behave extremely well and show care and concern for each other.

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

The childminder manages behaviour effectively. She promotes positive behaviour by encouraging children to share, take turns and be kind to each other. She explains the consequences of children's actions to help them understand the effect of their actions on others. Children receive praise for good behaviour and achievements. This helps children to understand what is expected of them and promotes their self-esteem. Consequently, children are continuously learning skills to support their future learning.

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provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard children in her care. She implements robust policies and procedures to protect and keep them safe. The childminder supervises children at all times. She obtains written permission from parents to seek emergency medical treatment in the event of an accident.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are strong. She communicates verbally with parents regarding children's welfare and experiences on a daily basis. Parental feedback is positive and reflects gratitude for the care the childminder provides. These strong partnerships with parents support children's individual needs well. The childminder is aware of the benefits of sharing information with other early years providers in order to provide continuity of learning for children.

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provision

The childminder successfully monitors the educational programmes to ensure that children make good progress. She has an effective knowledge and understanding of the learning requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She demonstrates commitment to further improve the quality of provision and her knowledge by attending ongoing training. Through self-evaluation, she takes into account the views of children and their parents, and uses these to reflect on the quality of her provision and to identify priorities for improvement.

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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 EY433881 Local authority Thurrock Inspection number 874601 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 6

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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

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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