Marcham, Dominique Louise

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 EY260897 Inspection date 15/01/2009 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 registered in 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged four and seven years. The family live in a house in Whitley, on the outskirts of Reading. The property is close to local schools, shops and amenities. The childminder uses the ground floor of the property for childminding.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part and voluntary part of the Childcare Register. She may care for up to four children under eight years at any one time and is currently caring for five children on a full and part time basis. Of these, three children are in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the local childminder network team and also maintains close support from her local authority coordinator. The childminder walks to local pre-schools to take and collect children and attends local carer and toddler groups. The family have a dog and fish as pets.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is experienced and competent in her care. Through her policies and procedures she offers a safe, happy and inclusive environment. The childminder efficiently demonstrates how to safeguard children effectively through her knowledge and understanding of child protection issues, through risk assessments and by exchanging important information with parents and other partnerships. The childminder has a strong knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and children's individual needs are valued, with their learning and development progress plotted against the early learning goals. The childminder is aware to continually assess her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider extending resources and activities which promote children's economic well-being in respect of technology, problem solving and curiosity to enable children to be independent learners within their wider world

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provision

The childminder ensures that she maintains her policies up to date and shares these with parents. Parents are therefore aware of the procedures in place, for example in regard to sickness, medication, complaints, confidentiality, equal opportunities, behaviour and the emergency plan, that keep their children safe and well whilst in her care. Children are safeguarded well. The childminder has a strong knowledge of child protection and demonstrates the ability to recognise the signs and symptoms of abuse; equally understanding the procedures to take in order to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 protect children. She is also aware to protect herself from false allegations. The childminder is competent to assess potential hazards and therefore children are kept safe through the thorough risk assessments in place for her home and for each specific outing type which help to minimise risks.

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provision

The childminder has completed and is about to update her paediatric first aid training. Accidents are recorded confidentially and parental written consent is taken prior to any medication being administered. Registers detail children's actual attendance time and therefore a historical record is maintained consistently. Children develop a sense of their own safety. They understand the rules of the house in regard to behaviour and treating each other respectfully; and learn about road safety when out and about. A fire evacuation plan is in place and children understand the need to practise leaving the home in an emergency situation. The childminder checks smoke detectors regularly.

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provision

The childminder understands the needs of each individual child. She is efficient in exchanging important information with parents and other providers. Children's starting points, likes and dislikes are understood and valued. Annual reviews are in place to update all children's records.

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provision

The childminder is experienced and enthusiastic. She shows a competent understanding to continually assess her care of children and recognises the strengths of her provision in the strong relationship she shares with children and parents; and in offering children an enjoyable, happy day with a range of activities. Through completing her self-assessment she highlights areas for improvement and values ongoing training to keep her understanding of current practice up-to-date. The partnership with parents is strong. For example, parents have copies of all policies, complete questionnaires about the care their children receive, and daily feedback in the form of a diary is exchanged each day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a strong understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the six areas of learning. Children are stimulated by a range of outings, activities and resources. Play is organised around children's likes and dislikes. Children can access their age appropriate toys easily. Planning incorporates all areas of learning. Activities are not always expanded to provide additional opportunities for more able children to further develop curiosity and problem solving within their wider world. Children's learning and development is extended as parents are given a written insight about the early learning goals and valuable information is collated around children's starting points. Each child has a development record book in place, which highlights observations on free play and planned activities. Examples of children's work and photographs provide development evidence also. Planned activities are evaluated and observations

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

linked to areas of learning. These observations help the childminder to identify children's next steps within the early learning goals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's individual needs are extensively promoted. For example, the childminder demonstrates the ability to be able to extend development for children for whom This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 English is a second language. There is a good balance of adult led and child initiated play. The childminder is enthusiastic and imaginative with the children. She offers purposeful play opportunities which help children to grow into social and active learners. She is attentive and listens to what children have to say. She responds to their needs well. Children are happy and settled.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children receive plenty of fresh air and exercise through walks to and from school, the park and playing outside. Parents understand to provide healthy nutritious meals and children have access to drinking water throughout the day. Children behave well and good behaviour is promoted by lots of praise and support. Children are respectful of their surroundings and of one another. The childminder keeps children safe and healthy by ensuring her front door is locked when children attend, wearing latex gloves to minimise cross infection when completing nappy changes, by keeping her pet dog healthy and away from where children play and locking away any cleaning materials or sharp objects. 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? 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

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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