Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11/03/2014 29/06/2010

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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

 Children's language development is supported extremely well by the childminder. She uses a broad range of effective teaching methods, which helps children make very good progress in communication.  The childminder's has a good understanding with regard to protecting children from harm. This ensures that they are well-protected at all times.  The childminder has a wide range of meaningful policies and procedures, which support her practice well. She maintains communication with parents, which ensures children's care is based on their specific needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not fully maximise opportunities for children's physical play in the outdoor environment all year round.  There is room to increase children's exploration of technology to increase their understanding of how technology can be used for a different purposes.

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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 held a wide range of discussions with the childminder.  The inspector viewed the areas of the premises and garden used for childminding.

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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.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents, as recorded in their written feedback.  The inspector reviewed the providers hardcopy self-evaluation form at inspection.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2009 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and six years in a house in Epping, Essex. The whole of the ground floor and an upstairs bedroom of the childminder's home are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two cats and six chickens as pets. The childminder attends local groups and activities. She visits shops and parks on a regular basis. The childminder collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently nine children on roll, of whom four are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions on a part-time basis. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Wednesday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language.

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Information about the setting

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:

 expand opportunities for children to use large play equipment to develop their physical skills, for example, by increasing the opportunities to use a range of large play equipment in the outdoor environment all year round

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

 review and further expand children's opportunities to explore and operate information and communication technology equipment, such as, computers, torches, cameras and programmable toys, in order to consistently develop their understanding about age-appropriate equipment and computer software.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of the requirements for the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She makes sure that she frequently spends time observing children and then uses this information to make effective assessments of their individual development stages. This helps the childminder to ensure that the broad range of stimulating activities she organises accurately meet each child's individual learning requirements and interests. This ensures that the childminder effectively supports all children to make good progress, including those learning English as an additional language. As a result, they develop the essential skills needed for their next stage in learning and their move onto nursery or school.

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who attend

The childminder provides extremely good teaching methods for all children, including those learning English as an additional language. This effectively develops their communication and language skills. For instance, she uses excellent intonation and speaks very clearly to children as she consistently models self-talk. The childminder also makes good use of colourful props. These teaching methods encourage them to listen and respond interactively as she reads a story. As a consequence, children are very well supported to become confident communicators. The childminder has a good range of resources which promote children's understanding of information communication technology. However, there is room to maximise children's opportunity to access these in order to increase their understanding of how to use technology for particular purposes. Children thoroughly enjoy and respond positively to the consistent praise and

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who attend

encouragement provided by the childminder. This teaching method effectively supports their emotional development, helping them to develop high levels of self-esteem and confidence. Children's independence is consistently fostered as they learn self-help skills, such as taking off their own coats and shoes when they return from trips out of the childminder's home. This is supported well by the childminder, who helps children to focus by talking to them about how well they are doing. The provision of exciting and interesting resources helps to teach children physical skills. For example, they have lots of fun working out how to fasten and undo latches and locks. The childminder uses local facilities, such as indoor play centres and playgrounds to help children develop their coordination and balance. However, there is room to enhance children's opportunities to develop their physical skills all year round. For example, through increasing their use of

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who attend

The childminder actively promotes good communication with parents. Each child is provided with a daily diary and the childminder holds regular discussions with parents about their child's achievements. This effectively promotes a consistent exchange of information linked to each child's developmental stage. As a result, the childminder's planning is positively influenced by her good understanding about what each child knows and can do. In addition, parents are provided with specific details about how they can effectively extend their child's learning at home.

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

The childminder supports children to form strong bonds and attachments. As a result, they are happy, confident and thrive in her care. For example, children enjoy snuggling in for a cuddle when listening to stories read by the childminder. Before children start at her setting, the childminder ensures that she spends time finding out about their personal needs from parents. This is maintained well throughout each child's placement, making certain that every child's individual needs are met effectively. The childminder's good settling-in procedure ensures that children have sufficient time to become accustomed to their new surroundings. This is successfully achieved through gradually extending the amount of time spent on visits prior to their start date. This also helps children to build a relationship with her alongside their parents. As a result, they are helped to develop a feeling of security, which means they settle quickly.

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

The childminder is a good role model to children. She is warm and attentive, listening with interest to what they have to say, which shows children that their contributions are valued. The childminder uses positive reinforcement, which effectively encourages children to behave well. For example, children respond well to the praise and encouragement she consistently provides. This effectively supports them to develop independence, confidence and high levels of self-esteem. As a result, children freely move around the childminder's home helping themselves to the exciting range of safe and stimulating resources available. Children develop awareness of their own safety because the childminder constantly teaches them about how to keep safe. For example, when going out on walks even young children demonstrate their understanding of routine safety measures. For example, they hold out their arm in anticipation because they know they must wear a wrist strap.

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

Children are developing an understanding of the importance of physical exercise and a healthy diet and are encouraged to manage their own hygiene and personal needs. For example, more able children are able to wash and dry their own hands and younger children are supported to learn through discussion and visual clues. This helps to effectively increase their understanding of good hygiene practice. As a result, even very young children know they must wash their hands after visiting the childminder's chickens. The childminder makes sure that a high level of cleanliness is maintained with regard to her home and children's resources. This effectively helps her to protect children from the risk of cross-infection. Children enjoy a good range of healthy and nutritious foods, for example, they enjoy organic rice cakes at snack time. The childminder plans a wide range of trips out of the home, which means that children are enabled to spend regular time

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

outside in the fresh air. For example, they enjoy playing in well-equipped local play facilities. This encourages them to have fun while also developing their coordination and balancing skills.

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provision

The childminder regularly undertakes safeguarding training, which ensures that she remains up to date with current guidance. She shows a clear understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children, which she has detailed in her robust child protection policy. For example, she knows how to recognise signs and symptoms of abuse and how to report any concerns she may have about a child in her care. Purposeful risk assessments of the childminder's home and all trips into the local area are undertaken on a frequent basis. As a result, she is able to swiftly identify and minimise any risks to children in her care. For example, she has fitted a number of safety gates in her home to ensure that they cannot access out of bound areas unsupervised. The childminder's good understanding of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage ensures that she is able to effectively meet all legal requirements. For example, the childminder

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provision

maintains a paediatric first aid training qualification, which means that she is able to appropriate care to children in the event of an accident.

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provision

The educational programmes in place have a good impact on children's experience at this setting and on the progress they make in their learning and development. As a result, all children benefit from teaching, which meets their individual needs and supports their progress well. The childminder ensures that she holds regular discussions with her local authority development officer and other early years professionals. This supports her to increase her understanding of current childcare practice, which has helped to improve her practice. Regular reflective practice takes account of the views of others, including parents and children. This helps the childminder to identify and strengthen areas for improvement. Since her last inspection the childminder has successfully implemented the recommendations raised. As a result, she has improved children's safety in her home, developed partnerships and increased her understanding of effective observation and

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provision

assessment. The childminder has attended training, which has a positive impact on children's progress. This clearly shows her desire to continually improve the service she provides for all children and their families.

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provision

Partnership with parents is actively promoted by the childminder. Information provided by parents demonstrates that they are happy with the service provided. They comment that she made settling-in easy helping with their transition back to work. Parents also state that they 'value' all that the childminder does for their children. They feel that they are leaving their children in the childminders 'extremely caring and capable hands'. The childminder has developed good partnerships with other settings children attend. This ensures that information about their ongoing care and development is regularly shared, which effectively promotes continuity. The childminder has also worked well with other agencies; in order fully support those children learning English as an additional language. This makes sure that they receive the support they need.

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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 EY403358 Local authority Essex Inspection number 879472 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 9

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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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