Childminder in Windsor and Maidenhead

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

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Unique reference number EY303615 Inspection date 18/11/2008 Inspector Aileen Ewins

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

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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.

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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.

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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).

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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

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since 2005. She lives in Holyport, Maidenhead, with her partner and two children, aged five months and five years. The family live in a three bedroom house. Children have access to the whole of the home and an enclosed garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for four children under eight years of age at any one time, and is currently minding two children in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is happy to take children to and collect from local schools. The family have a peregrine falcon which lives in an enclosed area within the garden.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a range of policies, procedures and risk assessments in place which promote an inclusive and safe practice. However, these policies and procedures need to be updated in line with practice guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder has acted on the recommendations made at the last inspection. She has made a sound start in the self-evaluation of her provision, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. The childminder has started to acquaint herself with the learning and development requirements and, in doing so, has identified the need to plan and assess children's individual development needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the policies and procedures in line with Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements; in particular, update the safeguarding policy to include procedures to be followed if an allegation is made against the childminder or a member of the household  further develop purposeful play opportunities; and increase knowledge of planning and observational assessment to identify individual children's next steps and progression within the early learning goals

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 conduct risk assessments for each type of outing, reviewing before each specific outing to minimise the hazards to children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 30/12/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder ensures children are kept safe within her provision through risk assessments which she has conducted for her home and garden. These are updated regularly which helps to minimise hazards to children. Whilst regular outings are risk assessed, the childminder has yet to put into place provision to conduct assessment and monitor any hazards identified for specific outings that her and the children make together.

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provision

Parents are provided with a portfolio which gives details of the daily care. Policies and procedures are in place as required, but need to be updated in line with Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) practice and guidance. In particular, the safeguarding policy needs to be updated to show the procedures to be followed if an allegation is made against the childminder or a member of the household. However, the childminder does have a strong understanding of how to safeguard the children in her care and can confidently identify the signs and symptoms of abuse. She is also aware of how to protect herself from false allegations.

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provision

The childminder is aware of the need to maintain detailed records of any accidents that occur, and ensure that parents sign the record to acknowledge that they have been informed. She is aware of the need to obtain written consent from parents before administering any medication and have procedures in place for administering the medication. Children's records are maintained confidentially. Registers detail children's daily attendance. Fire evacuation plans are practised often with the children, which helps them to become aware of the routes to take should they need to leave the home in an emergency situation.

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provision

The childminder is very aware of children's individual needs and their likes and dislikes. Whilst she considers these in planning activities outside the home, for example, going to parks and play centres for one child and providing quieter activities for another, provision for individual learning and development is not extended. The childminder has started to acquaint herself with the EYFS and has considered how to enable children to develop, but observations and assessments do not yet fully inform her of children's next steps within the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder has considered her provision well. She has acted upon the recommendation set at the last inspection, and written consent is now obtained from parents to cover travelling in the car, routine outings and photographs. Using the self-evaluation form, the childminder has identified her strengths and areas for improvement; whilst acknowledging her calm approach and being a good role model, along with the safe and happy environment she provides, she is aware of the need to update and increase her knowledge of the EYFS framework. Good use is made of the local authority Early Years advisor and a strong relationship is in place with the parents of the children she looks after. The childminder has completed child protection and health and safety training; and future training needs have been identified for risk assessments, food hygiene and equal opportunities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled with the childminder and have a close bond with her. The childminder understands her role as a key person and provides parents with a diary and verbal feedback in respect of the welfare of their children. Children learn good hygiene practices from an early age and understand the need to wash their hands after messy play, using the toilet or having nappies changed. They have many opportunities for fresh air, as well as to drink plenty of water each day. Parents are made aware of the sick child procedures and keep their children at home if unwell. This helps to ensure that illness is not passed from one child to another. The childminder has completed her paediatric first aid training and is aware of the procedures for documenting accidents and medication. Healthy foods are provided. The childminder understands children's dietary needs and any allergies. Parents of young children provide weaning foods. Sleeping children are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Safety in the home is important. The childminder has identified hazards and acted to minimise these. Stair gates are in place and children are never left unattended in the garden or kitchen. The front door is kept locked. The childminder checks plants growing outside to ensure none are poisonous. The garden is secured with fencing and a locked gate. When out and about, children know not to run off, but to hold hands. They learn how to cross roads safely. The childminder takes children's emergency contact details out with her. Appropriate car seats are always used when children travel in the car. Children behave well and have a close relationship with the childminder's own children. They are happy to approach the childminder for support or help, and chat along with her happily. Age and developmentally appropriate toys and resources are provided, which children can access easily.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is supporting children's learning and development soundly. She has started to increase her knowledge and understanding of the six areas of learning, and is considering how to plan for these areas. Children are given lots of praise and encouragement, which increases their personal, social and emotional development. Children are helped to use a range of language and communication through talking to the childminder and imaginary play, for instance, on the telephone to 'Daddy'. Opportunities are provided e to explore the wider community through trips out to Black Park and local soft play centres.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder talks to parents to give her an understanding of children's starting points. Whilst she was on maternity leave, she asked the temporary childminder to complete a diary to help her track children's progress. Some observations are made, but the childminder is unconfident at present to link these to the early learning goals and identify children's next steps in their learning and development. Consequently, planning for individual children's learning is not yet being extended. There is, however, a range of purposeful activities and a mix of adult-led and child- initiated play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have started to understand the diversity of the world in which they live. Future improvement plans include using the library more often in the future. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children share books at home with the childminder and have access to musical, electronic and magnetic resources. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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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

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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.

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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.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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

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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.

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