Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 23/05/2014 14/09/2009

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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 3 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

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This provision requires improvement

 The childminder has a confident understanding of the learning and development requirements and knows how young children learn. As a result, teaching is effective and children's development is successfully promoted through daily play opportunities and structured activities.  The childminder has a kind and caring approach. This helps children to settle and form strong bonds and secure emotional attachments.  The childminder builds successful relationships with parents so she can meet the individual needs of their children. She shares information through the welcome pack of policies and gathers key details from parents about the children's interests, enthusiasms and capabilities.

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It is not yet good because

 Ofsted was not promptly notified about events that are likely to have an impact on the childminder's suitability. This was in relation to the childminder not continuously maintaining her first aid qualification, which is a breach of the welfare requirements.  The childminder is not rigorously monitoring and evaluating her practice to ensure that important training needs are addressed in a timely way.  The opportunities for children to see useful printed words, so they learn to recognise connections between objects and their names, are not fully explored.

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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 learning environments and toured the rooms used by children on the ground floor of the premises.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with the childminder about the children's progress and achievements.  The inspector viewed the children's development records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector saw evidence of the suitability and qualifications of the childminder, her self-evaluation, risk assessment and policies and procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents spoken to on the day and from references obtained by the childminder.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1999 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 15 and eight years, in a house in Hadleigh, Essex. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant from this address. She uses the whole of the ground floor and the rear garden for childminding. The childminder regularly attends a local toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She walks or drives to local schools or pre-schools to take and collect children. There are currently seven children attending 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 13 years. She works all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early

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must:

 ensure that there is always someone who has a current paediatric first aid certificate on the premises when children are present, or accompanying children on outings, at all times.

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

 develop the existing methods for evaluation to ensure that important training needs are identified more robustly

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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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who attend

Teaching is good as the childminder has an effective knowledge of child development and the characteristics of effective learning. As a result, she has a firm focus on helping all children make good progress in their learning and development. Children have access to high quality play materials, activities and outings that support their learning in all seven areas. The childminder finds out about children's starting points so she understands children's interests well on entry and can plan with these in mind right from the start. Each child's development records are supported through observations covering all areas of learning, accompanied by photographs and examples of the children's work illustrating their achievements. Learning priorities are regularly identified and used to inform the activity planning. The childminder works with parents to complete the required progress check for children aged between two and three years. Parents also get to see and

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who attend

contribute to the development records at regular intervals and consequently, they feel involved in their children's learning.

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who attend

Children are offered an interesting blend of activities they can choose for themselves and experiences led by the childminder. The skilful support from the childminder prepares them well for their next stage in learning, particularly their readiness for starting school or nursery. The childminder is enthusiastic in her work and motivates children to learn as she joins them in their activities. This means children are motivated to try things for themselves. For example, children listen to instructions and eagerly engage in cooking activities. They are curious and explore what happens when ingredients are mixed together and can explain to visitors the various processes when baking cakes. The childminder effectively supports the children's communication and language development in conversations. For example, she listens attentively to what children have to say and constantly talks to them, commenting on what they are doing and asking open questions

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who attend

to encourage their thinking and exploration.

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who attend

Stimulating puzzles, games and early writing materials are available for children to develop the mathematical, literacy and technology skills they need for the future. Children also play imaginatively when they use a good range of role-play props and costumes, to act out real life and imaginary situations. The childminder has a wide selection of both fiction and non-fiction books. Children also regularly visit the library to select a wider range of stories and learn new songs and rhymes that extend their vocabulary and communication skills. However, there are few printed words displayed around the setting to help children quickly recognise connections between objects and their names and develop the skills they need for early reading.

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

Children play in a very clean and comfortable environment. They adopt healthy lifestyles as they have plenty of opportunities for exercise and energetic physical activities in the fresh air. Children are offered regular drinks throughout the day. They enjoy a balanced, nutritious diet provided by parents and supported by the childminder. She has attended relevant food hygiene training so she can safely prepare and cook the food. The childminder demonstrates sufficient understanding of appropriate procedures to promote children's good health, by ensuring that daily routines are followed to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Children learn the importance of good personal hygiene as they know when they need to wash their hands. Nappy changing or potty training is sensitively and hygienically carried out. However, the childminder is unable to demonstrate that she provides the highest quality care to consistently protect children's health and well-being

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

because she has not continuously maintained her paediatric first aid certificate.

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

Young children show appropriate levels of behaviour for their ages and play harmoniously alongside each other. The childminder models politeness by encouraging them to say 'please' and 'thank you'. There are clear house rules, which are discussed with children and these are reinforced with patience by the childminder. This ensures that children learn to behave responsibly and take care of the toys and play equipment. Children are given plenty of praise and encouragement, for example, they show delight when they are awarded a sticker for using the potty or putting on their shoes by themselves. Cosy areas are provided, away from the main play space, for children to sleep or rest peacefully according to their individual needs. The childminder regularly checks children while they are sleeping. Children learn about their personal safety when they practise fire drills, so they can swiftly evacuate the premises in an emergency.

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

Children are confident, settle well and form warm bonds with the childminder. This is because she understands the importance of supporting children at times of transition. Plenty of information is gathered from parents when children start attending about children's care routines so that the childminder can meet their individual needs. This includes working closely with parents to support children when gaining independence in their toileting routines. The childminder attends local toddler groups to give children confidence in new situations away from her home. This means that children are beginning to make new friends and helps ensure readiness for the transfer onto nursery or school, when the time comes.

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provision

Overall, the childminder has a reasonable understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children are adequately safeguarded because the childminder understands her child protection responsibilities and knows the steps to take if she has concerns about their well-being. All the adults living or working on the premises have completed the relevant background checks. The essential documentation that underpins children's health and well-being is readily accessible for inspection. Appropriate risk assessment is carried out for the premises, garden and any outings and this is suitable in ensuring that any potential hazards are removed or made safe. However, this inspection took place following a notification from the childminder that her first aid certificate had expired because she had difficulties finding a suitable training course. Despite the childminder continuing to have a basic knowledge of first aid, this

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provision

lapse means that she is unable to evidence that she can continuously deal with any accidents and injuries in an approved way. Although the childminder demonstrates that she is aware of her responsibility to notify Ofsted of significant events and changes to her suitability, Ofsted was not notified about this event within the required timescale of 14 days. These are breaches in the welfare requirements and this also has an impact on the childminder's ability to meet with requirements in both parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder has subsequently managed to book first aid training for both herself and her assistant for next week and until then, has reduced the days when she will be working with children. This means that the childminder has taken some appropriate action to put these breaches right, prior to this inspection, to ensure that the impact on children's welfare and safety is minimised.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of the learning, development and assessment requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children make good or better progress because the childminder efficiently monitors and tracks their achievements. She successfully uses a progress wheel to help her identify any gaps in learning and areas where children may need additional support. The childminder regularly meets with other childminders to develop her practice and is very receptive to comments and suggestions from her local authority adviser. The childminder has completed an extensive self-evaluation and has given considerable thought to the many strengths of her provision. However, she has not paid close enough attention to identifying areas for development. This is particularly evident because the childminder is not using her self- evaluation rigorously to identify and give priority to, her most important training needs.

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provision

The childminder fosters close partnership working with parents. She keeps comprehensive written policies and procedures that she shares with parents from the outset. There are also clear contract and consent agreements so that parents are fully aware of the business and care arrangements. The childminder gives daily written feedback to parents about their child's activities, food intake and sleep times in a diary. She regularly obtains the views of parents. They speak positively about the care the childminder provides and appreciate the wide range of activities and outings she offers their children. The childminder has well-established links with the key persons in local nurseries and primary schools to enable her to promote continuity in children's care and learning.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are

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actions)

The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are

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To meet the requirements of the Childcare Register the provider must:

 complete and maintain an appropriate first aid qualification (compulsory part of the Childcare Register)  complete and maintain an appropriate first aid qualification (voluntary part of the Childcare Register).

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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 201792 Local authority Essex Inspection number 976065 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 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

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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