Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20/03/2014 14/09/2011

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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

 Children have formed strong bonds and attachments with the childminder. This effectively supports children's feelings of safety and security.  Effective partnerships with parents and other key persons in children's lives ensure that the childminder has a clear knowledge of children's abilities and interests. This ensures that children have consistency in the learning they receive, which supports their good progress.  The childminder provides a good range of interesting and challenging activities. These are accurately based on children's interests and support their next steps in learning.  The childminder has a detailed understanding of her individual responsibility to protect children and keep them from harm. This ensures that children are protected.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to increase the opportunities for children to learn in the outdoors, in order to promote their understanding of well-being further.

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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 spoke to, and interacted with, the childminder and children throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector discussed and examined the resources and equipment provided and how effectively they are used to support children's play and learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector and childminder jointly observed and discussed children's learning and development during a craft activity.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector examined a selection of information and documentation relating to the suitability of all adults, children's safeguarding, welfare and developmental progress.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1999 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with one adult child, who is also her assistant, and one child aged 12 years in Harlow, Essex. The whole ground floor of the house, with the exception of the dining room, is used for childminding. Children use the local park and green areas for outdoor play. The family has a dog, two rabbits, two guinea pigs and fish as pets. The childminder attends toddler groups and activities locally. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis and collects children from the local school and pre-schools. The childminder operates all year round, from 6.45am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except Bank Holidays and family holidays. There are currently 12 children on roll, of whom three are in the early years age range. Children attend for a variety of sessions.

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

 expand the frequency for children to experience all areas of learning in the outdoor environment, so that these are as effective as those they have indoors.

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who attend

The childminder has an effective knowledge and understanding of the requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She regularly observes children at play and assesses their abilities against the usual expectations for their age. The information she gains is effectively used to assess children's progress based on their starting points. Children benefit from a wide choice of activities and resources. These are used well to ignite children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. For example, children make a den in the lounge with blankets and clothes pegs. Their ideas and creativity are supported because the childminder respects their creations and supports their thinking and problem solving. Children's personal, emotional and social skills are further supported because the childminder ensures that children can return to their den game after they get back from school and nursery. This effectively supports children's feelings of self-esteem

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who attend

because the childminder values their thoughts and ideas. Children's physical skills are effectively supported as they competently use tools and equipment safely. For example, children carefully use scissors to snip and cut paper. They use a wide selection of equipment which supports their skills in eye-hand coordination, showing skills in aiming and kicking or throwing balls. Children happily chat about their day at school or nursery, prompted by the childminder's open questions. They confidently share their news with the childminder, who listens carefully and responds with simple questions, which encourages the children to enlarge on their story. Additionally, children ask for and choose their own resources for a craft activity. They talk about what they are doing and the childminder encourages them to describe the size, shape and colour of the paper they are cutting. This results in all children making good progress in all areas of learning and development.

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who attend

The childminder regularly observes children as they play. She skilfully assesses children's competencies against the typical expectations for their age. She uses this information to plan and provide activities, trips and equipment which effectively challenge and extend children's learning. The childminder values children's ideas and opinions; as a result, children display high levels of confidence and self-esteem. Regular trips and outings to new and different places give the children hands-on learning experiences and self- confidence in meeting new challenges. For example, children enjoy exploring sound and rhythm in local music and movement groups; they explore nature and learn to climb small trees safely. The childminder skilfully holds back, giving children the time to think and try for themselves. Children regularly attend activities in local toddler and pre-school groups. These experiences enable children to become confident to learn and participate in group

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who attend

situations, and help them to be well prepared for their eventual move on to school.

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who attend

A positive working relationship between the childminder and parents promotes the involvement of all adults in children's learning and development. The childminder collates a range of information about the children's interests and abilities from their parents. This enables the childminder to know the children well and support them to settle quickly. Information is shared daily, both verbally and by text, which ensures that children's learning and development is successfully and reliably promoted.

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

Children show that they have formed strong bonds and attachments with the childminder and her family. She promotes children's emotional well-being, confidence and self-esteem. As a result, children show they are making rapid progress in their personal, social and emotional development. Children who are new to the setting are offered a flexible settling- in procedure where they and their parents spend time in the childminder's home prior to their start. The childminder takes this opportunity to find out about children's individual interests and needs, and this enables children to become accustomed to her home. The childminder skilfully promotes children's feelings of emotional security and confidence. Consequently, children settle quickly. Ongoing discussions and communication with parents ensure that information on children's care needs is shared effectively. As a result, children receive continuity in their routines, which supports their well-being and

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

The childminder provides a clear and consistent approach to managing children's behaviour. As a result, children know their expectations and thrive on the praise they receive for being kind and helpful. They know their boundaries and understand how to keep themselves safe from harm and recognise risk. For example, when out walking or riding bicycles or scooters, they know they must stop at the gate and hold hands when crossing roads. Consequently, children display a good understanding of safety and they are well behaved and confident. Children make relationships with other children and adults in different group situations. This is effective in supporting their skills and confidence, which enables them to be emotionally ready for their move on to nursery and eventually school. Effective partnerships with children's key persons in their nurseries and schools further promote children's well-being and coherence in their care.

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

Children understand about maintaining their own good health through posters and daily discussion about good hygiene routines. Children understand the need to wash their hands before eating in order to prevent the spread of germs. Parents provide meals for their children, and the childminder discusses healthy options with them to support children to make healthy choices. As a result, children are developing good attitudes to healthy lifestyles. Additional activities, including growing edible plants, such as cress, enable children to understand where food comes from. However, there is scope to provide further regular outdoor activities in order to enhance children's understanding of nature, the changing seasons and how to keep themselves healthy in all weathers.

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provision

The childminder is experienced and demonstrates a secure understanding of her responsibilities and the action she takes to protect the children in her care. Regular risk assessments are carried out in the home and for all trips and outings. However, a recent incident where a child tipped out of a bicycle trailer resulted in a child receiving grazes to the face. This inspection was brought forward in order to investigate a concern regarding the use of the bicycle trailer. The childminder took swift action in investigating how and why the accident happened and has now disposed of the trailer, therefore eradicating the cause of the accident. The child received immediate first aid from the childminder's qualified assistant and continues to be cared for by the childminder. Parents had given their permission for the childminder's assistant to use the bicycle trailer to transport children on pavements only. The childminder displays a clear knowledge about

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provision

safeguarding children and she knows the procedures to be followed in the event of a child protection concern being raised. In addition, the childminder ensures that appropriate checks are carried out on all adults living or working in her home when children are present. Therefore, children are effectively safeguarded.

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provision

The childminder effectively monitors and evaluates the quality of her teaching and the impact this has on children's learning. In addition, she regularly examines and evaluates children's ongoing progress across all areas of learning. Consequently, she successfully provides activities which are well matched to children's individual next steps and interests. The childminder has experience of working with early years children and she continues to pursue further knowledge and training so that she can continue to improve the good levels of learning and care provided.

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provision

The childminder has established good partnerships with parents. They all work together to provide stability and continuity in children's lives. Parents actively contribute to the observations and assessments recorded in children's learning records. Additionally, the childminder has formed effective links with other settings that children attend. This enables her to work closely with all adults to support a consistent approach for children's learning. The childminder evaluates her early years practice by obtaining the views and opinions of parents and children. Consequently, she has a clear understanding of the quality of her provision. The childminder is also clear about plans for further improvements to continue to support children's good levels of 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 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 203257 Local authority Essex Inspection number 961989 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 12 Number of children on roll 12

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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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