Childminder in Wokingham

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY306397 Inspection date 23/10/2008 Inspector Susan Victoria May

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

p.2

Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

p.2

Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since May 2005. She lives with her partner and two children aged five and seven years in the village of Charvil in Berkshire The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and upstairs for sleeping only. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to provide care for no more than four children under eight years; of these not more than three may be in the early years age group. She currently has two children under eight years on roll, whom she cares for on a part time basis. The childminder is prepared to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers a warm and welcoming environment where children’s care and development are effectively supported. Each child’s individuality is recognised and a range of planned activities and resources help them progress toward the early learning goals. The childminder establishes good links with parents. She keeps them informed of most aspects of their children's progress both verbally and through written development records. An observation and assessment system is in place, however, it is not yet fully developed to clearly determine children's next steps in learning. The childminder follows good practices that ensure children are kept safe and policies and procedures are in place to promote inclusion. Self-evaluation leads to improvements being identified to help provide a plan for future development.

p.3

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.3

further?

 further develop the systems for assessing children's progress and identifying next steps in children's learning  continue to increase the range of resources that promote positive images of other cultures

p.3

provision

The childminder organises her day following policies and procedures that enable her to offer a safe and secure learning environment for the children. The childminder has regard to children’s routines and records information of medical, dietary requirements and parental preferences to ensure that the needs of individual children are met. Children's welfare is safeguarded through the childminders good knowledge of child protection issues. Children are well supervised at all times and all adults living in the household have been vetted. Policies are shared with parents. For example, the complaints procedure, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 behaviour, risk assessments and sick children procedures help protect children and provide continuity of care.

p.3

provision

Children develop independence as they select their activities from a wide range of resources and are encouraged by the childminder to develop new skills to help themselves. For example, young children confidently put on their own coats and boots for outdoor play. Daily routines ensure children have good opportunities to play and learn inside and outside. They play out in all weathers, visit local parks looking for autumn leaves and climb and bounce on the garden apparatus to reinforce and develop their physical movement. The childminder observes and assesses children's development keeping records of their progress. However, these are not yet being used effectively to plan activities and provide resources for their next steps in learning. Information is shared with parents through verbal exchanges at handover. Parents have access to the children’s records of development.

p.4

provision

The childminder supports the provision of an inclusive environment. To support the children’s sense of belonging she promotes positive images as she displays welcome posters and discusses similarities and differences with the children. However, this is not supported by resources in the home that help children begin to recognise the diversity of our society.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to follow excellent hygiene practices as they follow the very good role model the childminder provides. She helps them understand why they need to have good personal hygiene, for example, as they dispose of tissues in the bin to prevent the spread of germs. Toys and resources are maintained and cleaned thoroughly to prevent the spread of infectious illnesses and a sick child policy is actively followed. Daily routines provide many opportunities for the children to be energetic and get plenty of outdoor exercise, or rest and play quietly according to their needs. The childminder provides nutritious and healthy home cooked meals for the children and drinks are always available. Children make choices about what they would like to eat and have some involvement in preparing their snacks. For example, peeling the fruit. The childminder has up-to-date first aid training and a clear understanding of the requirements for recording accidents and

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

administering medicines. This ensures children's continuity of care is well promoted.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are kept safe in the home and on outings. The childminder has completed extremely thorough risk assessments that very effectively identify and minimise hazards in all aspects of her care both on and off the premises. Registers are regularly completed and a fire evacuation plan has been drawn up. Children are reminded about the importance of keeping themselves and others safe. For example, a child excitedly making ‘wishes’ with a fairy wand is gently reminded not to wave it to close to the baby in case it accidentally hurts her. Children's good behaviour is promoted by the childminder's positive behaviour policy. She believes strongly that children should be praised and encouraged and given the opportunity to develop independence within their own ability. For example, children are encouraged to wash hands and faces from an early age. Children are requested to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

follow simple house rules to help teach them to take responsibility for their own actions and begin to learn right from wrong.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and well settled in the care of the childminder. She clearly enjoys their company and involves herself in their play to support their learning. For example, children develop counting skills while putting on gloves for outdoor play as they count their fingers and develop creative and imagination skills as they dress up and access musical instruments. Children socialise and find out about the local community as they visit groups, explore the natural world as they pick apples and blackberries and find out about change as they cook, making fruit crumbles. The childminder is committed to building on her experiences as a childminder, seeking further training to improve her knowledge of the stepping stones and early learning goals, . thereby enhancing the care and learning experiences the children receive. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Good The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Satisfactory

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Good

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Good

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Outstanding How well are children helped to be healthy? Outstanding How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Good How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Good

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Good

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

p.8

Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.8