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 219764 Inspection date 27/01/2009 Inspector Sheila Harrison

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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 1988. She lives in a detached house in the village of Eaton Bray with her husband, two adult daughters and children aged 12 and 13 years. Her daughter is also a registered childminder at the premises. The premises are accessible via a porch. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding except for the conservatory. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two pet cats and various fish in the kitchen and lounge.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children aged under eight years. She is registered on the Early Years and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 16 children on roll, seven of whom are within the Early Years age range. The childminder drives or walks to the local schools and parks as well as attending local toddler groups.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides an inclusive and welcoming service for children and their families. Children are valued and good relationships with their families have developed ensuring their individual needs are met. Activities and outings provide all children with a suitable range of opportunities to develop their early learning skills. The generally effective evaluation and documentation mostly ensures the smooth running of the childminding arrangements.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children and the procedures to be followed if the comments children make give cause for concern. Ensure policies are in-line with Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) local guidance and procedures  develop the risk assessment to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and ensure that actions taken to manage or eliminate risks are effective  improve the quality and consistency of observation, assessment and planning systems to ensure that children achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and capabilities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

There is an effective climate of inclusion whereby children’s individual interests are recognised and acted upon. Children develop a strong sense of belonging as the childminder knows the children’s extended families well. She listens to children practising a different language in preparation for a holiday to visit relatives. Children are becoming aware of the cultures of others through the acknowledgement of various festivals with art and craft activities. The childminder helps the children become aware of the needs of others by providing positive images in books and Small World toys.

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provision

The childminder is committed to her position and has a sound understanding of her responsibilities. She works with her daughter and takes the lead role in the organisation of the setting. A formal system for self-evaluation is being developed and information from the parents and children confirms the childminder’s strengths. There are many very positive remarks in the moving testimonials from the parents. These include comments from the children about their time with the childminder. The childminder has booked another first aid course before her current certificate expires and has recently introduced a newsletter to parents ensuring a commitment to maintain continuous improvement. Suitable policies and procedure are available for parents to view if they wish. The childminder has a long term loyalty to the children in her care and partnerships with parents are very well established. There is an informal but valuable flow of information between

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provision

childminder, parent and other professionals. A daily diary, complete with photographs of the children involved in their play and learning, is available for the parents to view when they bring or collect their children.

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provision

Children’s safety is generally managed appropriately through a combination of useful strategies including basic risk assessments for the home and on some outings. The childminder ensures that children are aware of the house rules. However, the written risk assessments are not being consistently reviewed to identify and minimise the hazards for some safety issues. The childminder has a genuine commitment to safeguard the children in her care and she ensures there is an effective system to ensure all family members and regular visitors have undergone suitable vetting procedures. She has a sound understanding of the signs of possible abuse, although, less secure in the steps to be taken if comments children make give cause for concern. She has devised a generally informative child protection policy, although, this is not fully shared with the parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports the children’s learning as some activities are inspired from an observation the children make. For example, a study of a caterpillar led the children to find out the life cycle of a butterfly. Themes from school are extended as children reinforce their understanding of hibernation through a game planned by the childminder. Children learn through the daily routine and help in the preparation of the meals by cutting the vegetables. They enjoy the craft activities and photographs depict them showing a great deal of concentration This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 whilst making a Christmas card for their parents. However, some craft activities are very adult-directed and leads to a limiting of the children’s creativity. Young children are becoming aware of the community as they enjoy visiting various toddler groups and shopping trips. The childminder knows what each child enjoys,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

such as, carrying the shopping list or counting the fruit. She is beginning to develop knowledge of the EYFS and is starting to undertake observations. However, these are not linked to an assessment of the children’s stage of development and they do not help to inform the childminder on providing for the next steps in the children’s learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy healthy and nutritious meals prepared by the childminder and her daughter. They are each given a choice of the filling for the sandwiches at lunch time and the childminder changes the planned evening menu to cater for children who enjoy a roast dinner. The childminder is very mindful of dietary needs including allergies and meets these well. Children learn to keep themselves safe. For example, the childminder makes them aware of road safety on the walk to and from school and they all regularly practise the emergency evacuation plan. They are naturally praised for their achievements and reminded of the social conventions of please and thank-you. Consequently, children are developing good habits and behaviour. 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 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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