Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 01/10/2014 28/03/2011

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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

 The childminder provides a stimulating environment, both indoors and outdoors to engage children's curiosity and interests. Consequently, children make good progress in their learning.  Children are happy, self-assured and confident. The childminder provides them with lots of praise and support, so children are settled and secure and develop good behaviour.  Good partnerships with parents ensure children's well-being is promoted at all times.  Children play in a safe and secure environment. The childminder gives priority to protecting children, and there are clear implemented procedures to follow to keep them safe.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not maximise opportunities for parents to contribute what they know about their child's learning to ensure an even more collaborative and consistent approach to the children's learning and development.

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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.  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 the childminder and household members, and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding policy.  The inspector took account of the views of parents.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2006 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in a house in Saffron Walden, Essex. The whole of the ground floor, two bedrooms and the rear garden are used for childminding. The childminder has two cats as pets. The childminder attends a toddler group and a music group. She visits the local shops, library, market, and parks on a regular basis. She collects children from the local school. There are currently two children on roll, one of whom is in the early years age group and attends for a variety of sessions. She operates all year round from 7.45am to 6.30pm, Monday to Thursday, except bank holidays and family holidays. 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:

 enhance the good partnership with parents further by developing more effective ways for parents to contribute to children's progress and use this information to extend children's learning to the very optimum.

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who attend

Children have access to a good variety of toys and resources that cover all seven areas of learning in both the indoor and outdoor environments. The childminder ensures the resources and activities on offer reflect the stages of development and interests of all children that she minds. For example, she provides a variety of toys for the children to use imaginatively. They enjoy packing up a picnic to take to the seaside and the childminder supports them well by effectively interacting during their play. The childminder supports children's knowledge of the world by using her garden and the local community. Outings, such as to the air museum and local fire station, enable children to have first-hand experiences of vehicles and transport. These outings obviously have a positive impact on children's enjoyment of learning as they talk about what they saw and heard. Consequently, children make good progress in their learning and development.

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who attend

Teaching and learning is good because the childminder knows the children well and understands how they learn. Younger children show good levels of skill as they make marks with pens. The childminder's effective use of questions enables the children to talk about the shapes they are making and the colours they are using. Young children's mathematical development is progressing well, as they count and recognise numbers up to five without prompts. Children show their developing love for books as the childminder encourages them to help themselves to books from the basket. The childminder makes sure books link to children's interests so they can be used to enhance learning experiences. She promotes speaking and listening skills effectively as she spends time involving children in discussion and conversation. The effective use of questions enables children to think critically and solve problems. As a result, children hold effective and

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who attend

sustained conversations and chat to themselves through their play. Consequently, children are developing skills in readiness for school very well.

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who attend

The childminder regularly observes and assesses the progress of individual children, identifying children's starting points and next steps. Effective planning and teaching ensures children make good progress and prepares them well for the next stage in their learning. Daily conversations between the parents and the childminder ensure parents are informed of their child's development. Children's books are taken home daily; this enables children to have expanded learning opportunities. However, the childminder does not encourage all parents to share information about what their child is learning at home. Therefore, the childminder is not prompting children's learning to its optimum.

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

Children are happy and enjoy their time at the childminder's house. The childminder uses outdoor areas, including local parks and walks to enhance the children's enjoyment of the natural environment. She provides a wide variety of resources, such as, a climbing frame, wheeled toys, slide and ball games, to enable children to practise their physical skills. It also supports them to understand the importance of assessing risks and keeping safe as they play. The childminder offers healthy meals, snacks and freely available drinks to promote children's health and well-being. Children show high levels of independence as they competently wash their hands and find resources they need, such as they go to find a cloth in the kitchen to enhance their imaginative play.

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

The childminder has high expectations of behaviour and is consistent in her approach. As a result, children's behaviour is good. The childminder is a good role model, showing respect for the children and supporting them well. The children clearly have a strong attachment to the childminder and they enjoy being in each other's company. Young children climb onto her lap and snuggle in to share stories and singing. This aids their emotional development and gives them a strong sense of security. Parents speak highly of the care their children receive. Important care information is shared well between parents and the childminder. This aids the childminder in understanding and effectively meeting each child's individual care needs, and as a result, children settle well. This consistent care and support enables children to feel part of the childminder's family, which has a positive impact on their emotional well-being.

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

Children are confident and self-motivated because the childminder encourages them and provides plenty of purposeful praise and reassurance. This helps to raise their confidence and self-esteem, inspiring them to join in with activities. As a result, children develop their personal, social and emotional independence, helping them to gain confidence in preparation for the move to school or pre-school. The childminder gives high priority to children's forthcoming transition to nursery. She has good relationships with the local schools. The childminder attends induction visits with children and passes on relevant information. Consequently, the teachers develop an awareness of children's starting points. These positive relationships enhance children's excitement about going to school and they eagerly look forward to it.

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provision

The childminder understands her role and responsibility in meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements. She demonstrates a clear understanding of safeguarding procedures. She is aware of and understands her responsibility to report any concerns she has about a child. The childminder actively promotes children's safety and well-being by planning effectively and risk assessing the home, garden and any outings. The childminder ensures any adults living in her home have completed a Disclosure and Barring Service check. She holds a current paediatric first-aid certificate and is, therefore, able to give first-aid treatment should the need arise. Therefore, children's safety and welfare are assured.

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provision

The childminder effectively monitors her observations and assessments of children; she clearly identifies gaps in learning and effectively narrows them. The childminder reflects on her practice and the needs of the children regularly. For example, she currently provides more resources for children to use imaginatively as this reflects their current interests. Records show the childminder attends relevant training courses and she has plans to do further training online. Future plans show she is reflecting on her practice, as she identifies how to shape her service to best meet the needs of the families she supports. This ongoing reflection and evaluation ensures the childminder strives to continue to provide the best possible care and education to the children she minds.

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provision

The childminder has good relationships with parents and they share information to support children's well-being on a regular basis. The childminder seeks the views of parents through discussion and uses this information to reflect on her practice. The childminder's partnership with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage is good as she has effective links with local schools. Therefore, children who attend more than one setting benefit from good continuity of care and learning. The childminder also has effective links in place with the local authority and health professionals. Recent documents show how she works with other professionals, such as speech therapists to ensure they collaboratively meet children's needs.

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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. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of 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

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 EY345418 Local authority Essex Inspection number 863093 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2

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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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