Childminder in Bracknell Forest

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 EY373283 Inspection date 24/10/2008 Inspector Judith, Mary Butler

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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 is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and child aged three years. The family live in Bracknell, Berkshire. Shops, toddler groups, parks and other amenities lie within walking distance. The childminder can take children to and collect them from, local schools and pre-schools. The family have two cats and two guinea pigs as pets.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children have access to the whole of the ground floor and identified bedrooms on the first floor of the home. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. Her registration permits her to care for three children in the early years age range, at any one time. She currently minds two children aged five and two years who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive environment where all children are valued and have their individual needs met. Children settle quickly in the warm and welcoming home. The childminder develops good relationships with parents and provides them with information about her provision through the extensive policies and procedures she has in place. This documentation promotes children's welfare and assists good practice; however, risk assessments do not include outings with the children. Informal and formal evaluation methods enable the childminder to identify the main strengths and weaknesses of her provision. For example, she has attended an introduction session regarding the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), but has yet to complete further training to support her provision and enable her to assess children's progress and identify their next steps in learning effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure risk assessments include outings with children  further develop knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

The childminder has a businesslike approach to her childminding service and holds effective policies and procedures to enhance the safety and welfare of all children in her care. She ensures parents are fully aware of their child's day by providing them with daily verbal feedback and requesting them to countersign completed documentation, such as accident reports. Children remain safe while in the home This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 due to the extensive safety checks and procedures in place, such as evacuation procedures and a daily safety check. However, she has yet to extend this to include outings with the children, for example, trips to local places of interest.

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provision

Children are incredibly comfortable and settled within the homely environment. They move freely around all areas identified for their use and enjoy choosing the toys and resources they wish to use from the good variety available in the lounge, play room and under the stairs. Children have their individual play preferences met by the childminder, who knows each child well, for example, one child likes to experience different textures through baking and cooking but not through art and craft activities. The childminder plans activities, however, she ensures planning is flexible and takes into account the individual play preferences and moods of the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in this warm and welcoming home. They foster good relationships with the childminder and other children in the home. The childminder acts as a good role model and children learn from this, for example, saying please, thank you and sitting down to have their drinks. Children respond enthusiastically to her praise and encouragement, for example, smiling at her when she praises them for passing another child a toy. Children enjoy a range of quiet, active, inside and outside activities while in the care of this childminder. They especially look forward to going on different outings, for example, to the 'Look Out' where they have opportunities to meet different people and learn about the world around them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a high level of individual time and support. She knows each child well and plans the activities to suit their differing ages and abilities. For example, allowing an older child to try to use the cutting tool to cut out the eyes in the pumpkin while providing younger children with assistance. Younger children enjoy snuggling up and looking at the book, they point to the pictures and begin to count the ladybirds they see on each page. Children converse confidently with each other and the childminder, they talk about the different types of Lorries and trucks they are playing with and swap and take turns with ease.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are safeguarded within the home. The childminder follows effective procedures, such as a daily check of all areas in the home to ensure they are safe and secure. Children know about keeping safe and talk about what they must do if they need to evacuate the home. However, the childminder has yet to complete formal risk assessments when taking the children on outings. The childminder has attended child protection training. She feels confident that she would recognise the signs and symptoms of child abuse and be able to make a referral should she have concerns regarding a child in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn about a healthy lifestyle while they play in the clean and homely environment. They freely access drinks throughout the daily routine and enjoy a healthy range of snacks and meals. The childminder reduces the risk of infection by following effective procedures, such as wearing gloves to change nappies and ensuring towels are individual to each child. She discusses the individual needs of all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children with parents and plans the day to suit their individual care needs and routines. This assists children in feeling settled and comfortable in the home. 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

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

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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. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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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 registration.

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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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