Childminder in Essex

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 09/12/2014 14/10/2008

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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

 Teaching and learning are effective because the childminder has a secure understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Consequently, children make good progress in their learning and development.  The childminder understands her role and responsibility with regard to safeguarding children. Clear procedures are in place which underpin practice to ensure children's safety is robustly maintained.  Children form secure emotional attachments with the childminder, which helps them to gain a good sense of well-being and belonging.  Strong partnership working with parents, agencies and other early years professionals enables the childminder to efficiently support children's individual needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The outdoor learning environment does not consistently provide the same quality resources and learning opportunities as the indoor environment.  The accessibility of some resources means that younger children cannot always independently self-select toys to support their spontaneous play.

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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 environment where children play and viewed all areas of the home used for childminding purposes.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector held discussions with the childminder and children at appropriate times during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at information to confirm the suitability of all adults living on the premises.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a range of records and documentation, including children's development records.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written comments.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1993 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three children in a house in Brightlingsea, Essex. The whole of the premises and the rear garden are used for childminding. The family has a cat, tortoise and guinea pigs as pets. The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. The childminder takes children to and collects from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently ten children on roll, six of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder receives support from the local authority.

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

 focus more precisely on the planning of activities outdoors to enrich learning opportunities in all areas of the educational programme

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

 review the organisation of toys and resources, to ensure they are more easily accessible to younger children, to enhance their exploration and independence skills further.

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who attend

Children are cared for by a very experienced and qualified childminder. She has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements in the Early Years Foundation Stage, and uses this knowledge effectively to provide children with a stimulating and exciting educational programme. Teaching strategies are effective and the childminder offers a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated experiences. The childminder considers children's interests and next steps in learning when planning activities. For example, children's interest in dinosaurs is supported as exciting resources are set out to encourage them to explore and use their imagination. They have immense fun with shells, pines cones and pasta to make homes for their dinosaurs using these sensory materials. The childminder is skilful in how she encourages children to think and introduces new words to extend their vocabulary, such as diplodocus and habitat. The

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who attend

childminder swiftly responds to children's changing interests and provides resources to support them. For example, children giggle and have fun making dens. The childminder provides sheets and torches to facilitate this play. The childminder organises activities to encourage children's learning about the wider community. Children enjoy bus rides and using the foot ferry to visit local attractions and the beach. Physical development is supported through visits to soft play activity centres and regular visits to the park to use large climbing equipment. The childminder teaches children how to use scissors safely and even very young children do this carefully and with skill. They show sustained levels of interest as they cut shapes to stick on Christmas wreaths and are praised for their achievements. Children show a love for stories and use books with care. The childminder uses story boxes with props to encourage children's interest and participate in interactive

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who attend

stories and predict the endings. Children enjoy their time outdoors using balls and ride-on toys. Young children enjoy chalking and painting with water. However, there are fewer opportunities to consistently support children in each area of learning in the garden, as the childminder is yet to develop this aspect of the provision to reflect the quality indoor provision.

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who attend

The childminder keeps accurate development records of children's progress. These include the required progress check completed between the ages of two and three years. The childminder includes a range of observations, assessments, photographs and a selection of the children's work in each child's development file. Children have their own drawers to store their work and progress records, which means children and their parents can access these easily whenever they choose. As a result of regular and accurate records, the childminder provides parents with a clear picture of how their child's learning is improving. Good information is recorded regarding children's abilities when they first attend. Since the last inspection, the childminder ensures focused next steps in learning are highlighted using observations and informs the future planning of activities. Parents are positively encouraged to share their children's learning from home and contribute to the next stages

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who attend

of their development. As a result, children consistently make good progress.

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who attend

The childminder ensures children are developing the skills they need for their future learning and move to school or pre-school. For example, they listen carefully to instruction from the childminder when preparing to eat snack. They work cooperatively together when tidying away their toys. Children have opportunities to develop pre-writing skills as they use a variety of writing materials and make marks outdoors using chunky chalks. Children are encouraged to think about numbers as they sing favourite number songs. Number lines are displayed indoors so that children can recognise numbers in sequence and show great satisfaction when they successfully count up to ten.

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

Children move confidently around the home and are very happy. As a result of effective settling-in procedures in place, children quickly settle and form close attachments to the childminder and feel emotionally secure. The childminder speaks to parents to find out good information at this time, such as details of children's abilities, likes and interests. This enables the childminder to ensure the home is welcoming, meets their individual needs and activities that interest them are readily available. The childminder provides children with their own coat pegs, storage for their personal belongings and displays their art work within the home. This creates a real sense of belonging. The childminder is exceptionally calm and reassuring, and very young children enjoy the cuddles and praise that they receive. Children are congratulated for their efforts and good sharing. Children benefit from the childminder's commitment to her work

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

because she has high expectations for all children in her care. Older children show kindness and care towards younger children. For example, they cuddle babies and offer reassurance. This is because they learn from the childminder who is a good role model. As a result, children's behaviour is good. Children are familiar with everyday routines, such as washing hands before snack. This is because the childminder is consistent in promoting good health and hygiene practices. Younger children are supported by the childminder, while older children can independently take care of their personal needs. Children's self- esteem is promoted by the childminder, who uses clear and positive language. Children make good use of all the quality resources available to them within a dedicated playroom. However, the organisation and accessibility of some toys means young children's opportunities to explore and initiate their own play is not fully maximised.

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

The childminder ensures her home is welcoming and safe. Since the last inspection, the childminder has introduced a good risk assessment process. Children's safety is successfully achieved through good supervision, meaningful safety checks and organisation of space. Since the last inspection, the childminder has ensured all required parental consent is in place to protect children's welfare. Procedures in place underpin the childminder's good practices to ensure children are appropriately safeguarded. Children are encouraged to make some independent choices, such as where they would like to play and when they need a drink. The childminder positively promotes a healthy lifestyle. Exercise and fresh air is encouraged as children walk to and from school daily. Children learn the importance of a healthy diet. The childminder teaches them about healthy foods through play activities and visual prompts, such as poster and placemats detailing healthy

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

food options. The childminder teaches children how to keep themselves safe. For example, children are encouraged to think about the resources they use, such as shells that have rough edges. Children are gently reminded not to talk while they have food in their mouth in case they choke.

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provision

Children's welfare is fully protected because the childminder has a very good understanding of how to safeguard children in her care. The childminder's documentation relating to the safeguarding and welfare requirements is completed to a high standard, to support her safe and efficient practices. For example, risk assessments of the premises, resources and outings are robust, and appropriate steps are taken to minimise any identified hazards. All members of the household have completed appropriate suitability checks. Safeguarding children is given high priority by the childminder. She is fully aware of her responsibility to protect children from abuse and neglect. Completion of training courses reinforces and enhances her knowledge further. Since the last inspection, the childminder has introduced a process to evaluate her practice to ensure continuous improvement and a quality provision for children attending. The

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provision

childminder has also implemented a comprehensive system to record children's progress and next steps in their learning. This makes a positive contribution to meeting children's needs. Action plans are in place to keep driving the already good provision forward, such as developing the outdoor play space. The childminder understands the importance of her own professional development and the positive impact that this has for the children in her care. This is achieved through attendance at childminder's training groups, to share good practice, and national conferences for childminders. The childminder is developing a robust system to monitor her assessments of children's development, to ensure that all children make good progress and any interventions are sought to close any gaps.

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provision

The childminder has established positive working partnerships with parents and local schools and pre-schools children attend. The childminder has been proactive in making contact with other early years providers. This is because she has a sound understanding of the importance of sharing children's progress to ensure continuity and consistency of care and learning. This is further supported by the use of a home link day book, so that parents can regularly share relevant information. Parents comment on the childminder's good communication and feel fully informed with regard to their children's progress. The childminder provides parents with a wealth of useful information regarding the early years for children. Notice boards, newsletters and messages sent electronically mean parents are fully informed regarding their child's time with the childminder. With parent's consent, information is shared with reception teachers at school and the pre-schools they attend,

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provision

about children's development. This helps ensure teachers and other early years practitioners can effectively support children when they attend full-time education, and complement what they learn with the childminder.

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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 202385 Local authority Essex Inspection number 871059 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

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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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