Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 22/05/2014 23/05/2013

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 4 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 display very strong bonds and secure attachments to the childminder and her assistant. This is extremely successful in supporting children's feelings of security and emotional well-being.  Children benefit from the good teaching methods used by the childminder and her assistant. They make very good use of conversation and activities which support children's communication and understanding.  The childminder and her assistant have a secure understanding about their individual responsibilities to ensure that children are safe and protected at all times.  Very good partnerships with parents, other providers and professionals enable the childminder to have a detailed knowledge of children's abilities and interests. This also enables her to provide interesting and appropriately challenging experiences, which support children's good progress in their learning and development.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is room to increase the opportunities for children to use and express themselves in their home language during play and learning.

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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, her assistant, and children throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

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

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at the resources and activities provided and how effectively they are used to support children's play and learning.

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Inspection activities

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

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2008 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with two children aged 15 and six years old in Harlow, Essex. The childminder works with a full-time assistant. The ground floor, one bedroom and bathroom on the first floor are used for childminding. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. The childminder and her assistant collect children from the local schools and pre-schools. They operate all year round from 7.30am to 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder also provides overnight care. There are currently eight children attending, six of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder provides support for children who speak English as an additional language. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder is a member of the Professional Association of Childcare and Early Years.

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

 extend the opportunities for children who speak English as an additional language to use their home language more frequently in their play and learning

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who attend

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she has undertaken additional training to extend her knowledge. Children's personal emotional and social skills are effectively supported because the childminder makes sure that children can freely choose and get for themselves a good selection of toys, activities and resources. These are used well to engage children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning. They choose to play in the well-resourced garden, conservatory and in the living room. This supports children's feelings of self-esteem, the childminder values their decisions and ideas. Children happily chat with the childminder and her assistant about their play and the game they are playing. The adults support children's languages well by asking open-ended questions about where they are going and what they will buy at the shops. Children confidently chatter with the childminder, who listens

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who attend

carefully and responds with simple questions to encourage them to elaborate on their story. Children who speak English as an additional language are supported because the childminder uses some of their home language in communicating with them. However, there is scope to extend the opportunities for children to develop and use their home language further in their play and learning. Children's physical skills are promoted, they are supported to competently use tools and equipment safely. For example, toddlers learn to put on their own shoes before going in the garden and remove them for indoor play. They visit local parks and play areas regularly to explore the large climbing and sliding equipment, learning how to balance and strengthen their physical skills. These activities and the support from the childminder enable children to make good progress in all areas of their learning and development.

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who attend

The childminder and her assistant regularly observe the children as they participate in a wide range of activities. They effectively assess children's abilities against the typical expectations for their age. This information is effectively used to assess children's progress based on their starting points. They then use this to successfully plan and provide activities, trips and equipment which challenge and extend children's learning and development. For example, a teddy bear tea party is used very well to encourage children's language as they happily chat to the bears and hold conversations as part of a play activity. The childminder and her assistant show that they value children's ideas and opinions. As a result, children have good levels of confidence and self-esteem. Children regularly attend pre-school groups and activities which enable them to gain the confidence to participate and learn in group situations. Consequently, children are well prepared for

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who attend

their eventual move on to nursery and school.

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who attend

Effective partnerships with parents support the involvement of all adults in children's learning and development. The childminder gains information about the children's interests and abilities from their parents. This helps her to know the children well and provide good levels of support which enable them to settle quickly. Information is shared daily both verbally and through diaries and sharing of children's learning records. Therefore, their learning and development is successfully promoted.

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

Children are confident, happy and content. They display affection and show strong bonds and attachments with the childminder and her assistant. Their emotional well-being, confidence and self-esteem are supported, the childminder values children's ideas and gives them the time and opportunity to be independent in their self-care skills. As a result, children make rapid progress in their personal, social and emotional development. The childminder provides individually tailored settling-in sessions for new children. This allows the family and the childminder to share information and children to become familiar and secure in her home. The childminder and her assistant are effective in supporting children's feelings of emotional security and confidence. They have a calm and caring nature where they give verbal encouragement but interact in a timely way to enable children to make their own choices and decisions. Daily communication with parents

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

ensures that information on children's care needs is effectively shared and the childminder has a good understanding of each of the children's needs. She works closely with other professionals to ensure that children receive continuity in their care and welfare routines, which supports their well-being.

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

Children behave well, as a result, of the childminder's calm and consistent directions and explanations. Consequently, children show that they understand boundaries and are clear about behaving in an acceptable way. Children show that they understand how to keep themselves and other children safe from harm and recognise risk. They are aware of the children around them and they are learning to share and take turns. Children show that they are confident in making relationships with other children and adults in a range of group situations. They display the skills and confidence which enables them to be emotionally prepared for their eventual move on to nursery and full-time school. Links with children's key persons in other settings that children attend are effective. This ensures that children receive consistency and cohesion in their learning and development.

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

Toddlers and young children show that they understand about maintaining their own good health as they cooperate in blowing their own nose and understand that tissues need to be disposed of hygienically. Supported by the childminder, they understand the need to routinely wash their hands before eating in order to prevent spread of germs. Some children's meals are provided by their parents and the childminder provides others. She discusses healthy options with parents and children to support them in making healthy choices. As a result, children show good attitudes to healthy lifestyles. In addition, regular activities in the fresh air outdoors enable children to understand about changing seasons and how to keep themselves safe and healthy in all weathers. They choose when to play outdoors and are supported in dressing appropriately for the weather, for example, wearing all-in-one rain suits.

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provision

At the previous inspection by Ofsted the childminder received actions and a notice to improve to ensure that she has identifies and minimised risks to children in her home. The childminder has since moved premises and has conducted a full risk assessment which ensures that children can play and choose resources and toys freely and safely. The childminder has attended further training and received support which has enabled her to increase her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. The childminder has taken prompt and effective action in making improvements including demonstrating that she understands how to implement the requirements for both learning and development, safeguarding and welfare. Therefore, her practice is now effective in meeting children's needs and contributing to their well-being in an effectively organised way. The childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibilities and the action she

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provision

takes to protect all children in her care. She undertakes effective risk assessments in the home and for all trips and outings. In addition, the childminder ensures that appropriate checks are carried out on all adults working in her home. Therefore, children are effectively safeguarded.

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provision

The childminder ensures that her assistant receives regular supervision and monitoring of her practice. This is done through regular discussions of different scenarios and through observations of her assistant's practice. In addition, the childminder and her assistant effectively monitor and evaluate children's learning and progress to ensure that children are secure in the skills they need to be ready for school. They assess and evaluate children's ongoing progress across all areas of learning. As a result, they provide a good range of activities which are well matched to children's individual next steps and interests. The childminder has established good partnerships with parents. They frequently discuss the children's progress and effectively provide stability and continuity in children's lives. Parents contribute to the observations and assessments recorded in children's learning records. In addition, the childminder has effective links with other early years settings that

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provision

children attend. This enables her to complement the themes and topics covered by their pre-school which gives children consistency in their learning. The childminder evaluates her early years practice by talking to parents and children. As a result, she has developed clear understanding of the strengths and areas to improve further in her setting. As a result, the childminder continues to provide good support for 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 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 EY359627 Local authority Essex Inspection number 924568 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 11 Number of children on roll 8

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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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