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 EY350392 Inspection date 23/09/2008 Inspector Clare Perry / Ruth George

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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 2007. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and six years. Their house is in a residential road, close to the centre of Chesham in Buckinghamshire. It is in walking distance of local shops, pre-school and school. Childminding takes place in all areas of the house, except the main bedroom. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have two dogs and some chickens as pets. The childminder's registration permits her to care for a maximum of four children, two of whom may be in the early years age group. She currently cares for two children who attend on a part time basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and demonstrates inclusive practice. She is aware of children's likes, dislikes and routines and tries to accommodate these in her daily routine wherever possible. Children have very good opportunities when outdoors, but opportunities indoors and at the childminder's home are limited; although children appear to be making progress towards the Early Learning Goal's. Children's welfare is generally well promoted, however risk assessments are not fully effective. Children benefit from the good partnerships between the childminder and their parents; however these are not in place in the wider context. The childminder does not have effective systems in place for continuous improvement as she has not completed all agreed steps from registration nor does she effectively self evaluate or reflect on her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 take all reasonable steps to ensure hazards to children both indoors and outdoors are kept to a minimum  ensure Ofsted are notified of any significant changes or events. To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 provide an action plan to show how the childminder will develop knowledge and understanding of how children make progress towards the Early Learning Goals and how to use sensitive observational assessment to plan and provide purposeful experiences and activities for individual children to support progress and how parents will contribute to children's learning and records. (W4 Organisation) 24/10/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has effective documentation in place for the safe and efficient management of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), though these are very basic and do not include any written policies and procedures or information for parents. The childminder has a limited knowledge of EYFS and has not attended any relevant training, meaning she does not have a sufficient understanding to fully meet all the requirements. The childminder ensures she only cares for a small number of children at a time to enable her to meet their individual needs and those of her own family. The childminder has not carried out any form of self evaluation or reflection of her practice. Through discussion she is accurately able to identify some of her strengths and weaknesses, though not all; as she has overlooked some previous improvements required, gaps in documentation, safety hazards, requirements of learning and development and has not kept Ofsted fully

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provision

informed. She shows some capacity for continuous improvement as she has addressed most improvements from registration. Basic verbal risk assessments are in place, ensuring children’s general safety, however, some risks have not been identified or addressed. The childminder has a good understanding of the local safeguarding procedures and knows what to do if she has a concern about a child. The childminder knows the children very well and provides a fully inclusive environment to meet their needs. She understands and respects their backgrounds and cultures. Good relationships with parents contribute to children's well-being. All information shared with them is verbal and there are no systems in place to seek the views of parents, for parents to contribute to their children's learning or to work with other providers to promote integration of care and education and ensure children receive a full EYFS experience.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the family environment. The childminder knows them well and knows how to support their needs. Children are growing in confidence and independent, choosing resources for themselves and asking verbally or through non verbal communication for things they need or want. The childminder and children share conversation freely, even if what children are saying is not understandable the childminder engages in conversation with them and encourages turn taking. The childminder has realistic expectations of children, although activities do not always provide challenges. The resources and environment are generally safe and interesting and children can make choices from a good range of suitable resources as they are effectively stored at their height. For example, children choose a pack of playing cards showing great dexterity taking cards in and out of pack, finger puppets and books. Young children enjoy mark making on paper with a pen,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

showing good fine manipulative skills. Children enjoy a reciprocal warm and caring relationship with they childminder, they freely go to her for comfort and cuddles and reverse to sit on her knee. Children also share positive relationships with each other as they have all grown up together and are all very good friends.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from a wonderful range of purposeful planned activities outside and away from the home environment covering all areas of learning and supporting their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development. The childminder identifies this as a major strength and a reason parents choose her. The children enjoy lots of fresh air and exercise as they go to the horse stables on a daily basis and for visits to the park and walks with the dog and they also visit the allotment. They also play in the large garden on a daily basis. However, activities at home are not planned and children are just free to choose from the toys available, meaning they do not experience planned and purposeful play and activities or a balance of adult and child led activities or a balance of indoor and outdoor activities. Planning for individual children to ensure that they receive an

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

enjoyable and challenging experience across the areas of learning is poor and the childminder has not identified what she needs to do next to further individual children’s learning and development. There is no system in place for establishing children’s starting points and to use information from observation and assessment to ensure that they achieve as much as they can in relation to these and their capabilities. The childminder cannot really demonstrate how children are making progress in their learning except through her memory, though children do appear to be making good progress with the childminder's support during the daily routine and outdoor activities, however it is currently very difficult to determine children's progress through the Areas of Learning towards the Early Learning Goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted as there are good safeguarding procedures in place and the home is generally safe. However, risk assessments are not effective as they have not identified and minimised some risks to children, such as; in the garden there are two large wooden tubs full of a reasonable amount of water which are not covered and could pose a risk of drowning to children. There is also a large mirror standing against the wall which is not secure. Indoors, only one smoke alarm is in place, some socket covers have not been replaced and bleach is accessible to children on the floor in the toilet upstairs. There are good procedures in place for the control and care of the childminder's dogs to ensure children's safety. Children are learning to keep themselves safe. The childminder reminds them that adults' drinks are hot and they must not touch them. There is some element of learning through risk taking as the young children learn to manage the stairs with support

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

from the childminder. Children enjoy a freshly prepared healthy and nutritious diet with home grown fruit and vegetables. The childminder acts as good role model helping children to learn good hygiene practices, they learn to wash their hands before they eat, after using the toilet and after touching the dogs. The childminder shows children that they must wash fruit and vegetables before eating them and explains why. Children know that the general rule, because of dogs, is if it falls on the ground you lose it, either because dogs eat it or the childminder throws it away as it is dirty. Children behave very well. There are good strategies in place to promote positive behaviour and teach good manners and to deal with any unacceptable behaviour. The childminder uses praise and encouragement effectively, for example praising achievements such as successfully putting playing cards back in their box or their attempts such as trying to brush their own hair.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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? Satisfactory The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

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

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Satisfactory

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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? Satisfactory How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Satisfactory How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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

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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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