Childminder in Windsor and Maidenhead

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 EY299953 Inspection date 04/03/2009 Inspector Glenda Pownall

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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 2004. She lives with her partner and three children, who are aged 10, 12 and 14 years, in Windsor, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library and toddler groups.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding one child full-time and five children part-time in the early years age group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a welcoming environment where all children are included and have their individual needs met. Children enjoy their time with the childminder as they actively engage in many worthwhile activities that effectively support their development. Creative play and a very good range of resources are particular strengths of the setting. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to make improvements to her practice, which benefits children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to ensure that children's interests are considered when planning individual next steps in learning and ensure these are followed through in practice with the children to support their learning and development  ensure self-evaluation reflects on all elements of practice and identifies specific areas requiring improvement to further support children's welfare and learning, including documentation and fire drills.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 maintain a record of risk assessment that details when checks are to be carried out and identifies how often aspects of the environment need to be checked according to the significance of individual risks to children’s safety. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 25/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder informally reflects on the service she provides and has identified the observation system as an area for improvement. She has positively implemented the recommendation from the last inspection and new ideas from training sessions she attends in order to improve children’s learning, development and care. However, her self-evaluation process is not sufficiently rigorous to make certain that all documentation such as child detail forms and the safeguarding policy are reviewed regularly to ensure they include only current information. In addition, the childminder has not fully updated her practice in line with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, as she does not make a record of the visual risk assessments undertaken to promote children’s safety. All other required documentation and parental consents are in place to enable the childminder to adapt the service she provides to meet the needs of each child in

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provision

The childminder fosters a positive relationship with parents. She discusses her policies in detail with them prior to caring for children and exchanges information about children’s routines and activities on a daily basis to promote continuity of care. The childminder is proactive in discussing children’s progress with parents, she follows on from some of the activities children undertake at home and the observation records are assessable to parents each day. This supports partnership working in order to progress children’s learning and development. The childminder has a good knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect and understands the procedure to follow if concerned a child is at risk. This safeguards children whilst in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder treats each child with respect and kindness; consequently, children are happy and settled in the child friendly environment. Children have easy access to a good range of resources enabling them to make decisions about what they play with. They cooperate in games, taking turns and learn to share resources due to the consistent approach the childminder has to behaviour management. There is a good balance of child-initiated and adult-led activities. The childminder plans activities to interest and include all children. For example, children of different ages thoroughly enjoy story time due to the excellent resources used to support story telling. This stimulates children’s interest in books and they choose books for themselves and point to characters on the pages as they ‘read’ the story. Activities develop knowledge and skills across different areas of learning. For example, children practise their mark-making skills as they ‘write’

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

letters and envelopes and post them in a post box. When children select airmail stickers the childminder initiates a discussion about the letter going on an aeroplane and through asking open-ended questions encourages conversation about which countries the letters may go to and then children’s experiences of going on an aeroplane.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have many opportunities to explore creativity in different forms. They This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 freely experiment with paint, create pizza toppings and use the good resources available to develop imaginative and role-play. The childminder listens to the views of children when deciding where to go out. Daily outings include visits to a soft play centre, adventure playground and nature walks to collect bark and leaves. These daily outings help children to understand the benefits of physical exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle. The childminder follows children’s interests and when they pick up a soft ball, she engages with them developing the activity to include rolling, catching and throwing the ball. Children thoroughly enjoy music and movement as they sing and move around the home with the childminder to ‘the runaway train’ and ‘head, shoulders, knees and toes’. The childminder observes

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and records children’s play using both written observations and photographs and she identifies some next steps in learning. However, she is not completely confident in identifying and planning next steps, based on children’s interests, or implementing these in a consistent manner to progress learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play in a clean and secure environment where they have sufficient space to move around and play freely and safely. The childminder teaches children to have regard to their safety by gentle reminders and generally clear explanations at their level of understanding. Fire drills are practised but children are not fully informed of what to do in the event of a real emergency evacuation as the childminder does not explain that they would not stop to put their shoes on before leaving the building. The childminder supports children to develop understanding of personal hygiene procedures and shares her sick child policy with parents to promote the good health of children. 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? 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 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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