Childminder in Buckinghamshire

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 EY371429 Inspection date 16/12/2008 Inspector Ann Hilary Guy

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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 registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and three children, aged ten, six and two years, in Amersham, Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is currently minding one child under five and children after school and during school holidays. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler group and takes children to the local park. The family has no pets.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder knows all the children she cares for extremely well and is able to tailor activities to meet their individual needs. She provides a very stimulating learning environment and has robust techniques for encouraging and nurturing the children. All the children are given the opportunity to be involved in all activities, with the childminder finding appropriate ways of doing this so none ever feel left out. The childminder skilfully evaluates her provision and constantly seeks to find ways of improving it. She has attended as much training as possible to ensure her practice is robust and effective, meeting the needs of every child, and finds ways to keep parents fully informed about their children's care and development.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 further develop the information sharing with parents so that they are involved in the planning and development of their children’s learning journey.

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provision

The childminder has developed an extremely good facility, supported by comprehensive documentation, that offers the children the ability to develop their skills and progress as much as possible. In order to achieve these high goals the childminder has attended many training courses and implemented ideas from these to improve the standard of care offered to the children. She has completed risk assessments for all areas of the house and garden as well as for the regular trips she does with the children.

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provision

An extremely comprehensive self-evaluation form was completed by the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder, demonstrating her ability to look at her practice critically and seek to find ways for further developing it. She has successfully found a practical way of including all children in activities and has developed very good links with other professionals involved in the care of the children. The local school sends her monthly development charts for the children, outlining the key topics and areas they have been addressing, so enabling the childminder to pick up on these and further reinforce them through play activities after school.

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provision

She has developed an innovative way of keeping busy parents fully informed about their child's time with her, by sending regular emails outlining the activities and menu for the week, plus emails detailing any special achievements of the children. This ensures parents are kept fully informed and can either speak to the childminder or email her for further information when required. Time is always made for parents to discuss anything either at the end or beginning of the day, although many are working to a tight schedule.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy a welcoming, friendly, family environment designed to help them develop in all areas and progress towards the early learning goals. They make extremely good progress and enjoy the range of activities offered, both adult- and child-led, in and outside the house. The childminder is skilled at ensuring all children are challenged and included in all activities. She makes very good use of the different areas in the house, giving space for quiet activities and sleep, together with space for the older children to play with toys that are not suitable for the younger ones, due to the size of their parts.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The week is carefully planned around set times, like school pick ups, to enable the children an extremely good balance of adult- and child-led activities. The planning is loosely based around a theme and is as flexible as possible. During the inspection an activity to make bread was planned. The two children present, one of whom was under a year old, sat at the breakfast bar in the kitchen and were fully involved in preparing the dough. Throughout the childminder was on hand to assist and was talking to the children about what they were doing, developing their knowledge and understanding. She had sufficient ingredients to repeat the activity with the children after school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Observations are regularly noted and closely linked to the six areas of learning, as well as identifying the next steps of learning for the child, which are carried forward into future planning. Each child has a learning journey which enables the childminder and parents to clearly monitor each child's progress. The childminder has not yet developed this further to include parental input into the learning journey and is looking for suitable ways to do this.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Toys are suitably stored in boxes that enable the children to easily identify the contents and that are accessible for most of the children. Baby toys are kept separate to enable them to be easily cleaned and accessed. As the house has a number of steps on the ground floor, safety is paramount. The childminder has carried out a extensive risk assessment and maintains the house and garden, with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the use of suitable aids, as a very safe environment for children of all ages.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted exceptionally well, supported by clear policies, procedures and documentation which very effectively underpin the care and education the children receive. The golden rules of the house serve to promote a safe environment for the children and aid them in developing behaviour habits appropriate to good learners. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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

Since registration there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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