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 EY303129 Inspection date 19/03/2009 Inspector Susan Victoria May

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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 was registered in 2005 and works with her husband, who is also a registered childminder. They live near to the centre of High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire, close to local schools and amenities. The rooms available for childminding are the lounge, dining room and playroom, with direct access to an enclosed garden area.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and is registered to provide care for no more than six children under eight years; of these not more than three may be in the early years age group. When working with her husband, they are registered to care for a total of ten children, of whom six may be within the early years age range at any one time. There are currently seven children in this age group on roll attending on a part-time basis. The childminder is prepared to take and collect children from local schools and pre- schools.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder and co-childminder work extremely closely together to provide an inclusive practice where each child is valued and respected as an individual. All children are happy and secure and the childminder helps each child make good progress towards the early learning goals; using self-evaluation to identify areas for improvement, such as using observations and assessment to help plan for the children's next steps. Effective links with parents and local schools ensure that the needs of all children are met.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop assessment and observation systems to identify and plan for the children's next steps in learning  review risk assessments to ensure they are updated as necessary and possible hazards identified and minimised

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provision

The childminder organises her home and the childminding day well. She works closely with her co-childminder to help children become independent as they make choices from varied and exciting toys and activities available in the designated play areas. Children experience new events as they go on outings to the park or places of interest. The childminder carries out written risk assessments on her premises and for trips such as the school run and to the park; however, these are not reviewed regularly to ensure new hazards are identified and minimised. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are kept safe as the childminder ensures all people who have regular contact with the children are suitable to do so and supervises children closely at all times. To further protect children the childminder has a clear understanding of the procedures to be followed should she ever have a concern about the welfare of a

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provision

Children are confident and secure in the childminders home and parents clearly demonstrate that their children enjoy attending. Children's starting points, likes and dislikes and any particular needs are discussed with parents initially. The childminder and her co-childminder know the children well, however, their observations and assessments of the children's development are not regularly used to help them plan the children's next steps in learning. The childminder supports the provision of an inclusive environment, recognises that each child is unique, develops at their own pace and need individual attention. The childminder promotes children’s self-esteem well, this helps children to feel a sense of belonging and consequently children are extremely happy and settled.

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provision

The childminder shows willingness for continued improvement as she has addressed the improvements made at the last inspection. She has updated documentation to include all the required policies ensuring children's health and well-being are protected. These include: lost/uncollected children, medication, accident and incident reporting and complaints; all policies are accessible to the parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are occupied during their time with the childminder and receive good support. Children freely choose from the easily accessible resources that are set out attractively in the bright and welcoming play environment. The childminder has a good understanding of the learning and development needs of children and supports their learning as they have fun. Children invite the childminder into their play and she asks open ended questions to encourage their thinking and develop their conversation skills. For example, she ask them to identify foods and tell her which foods they like as they sit together to look at a book. Children confidently ask the childminder for help; they attempt puzzles or request she holds the paper as they draw around their hands. Then as they compare sizes between theirs and the adult’s hands she extends their vocabulary by introducing words to describe size such as big, bigger, biggest.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children play in a clean environment where they have access to bathroom facilities to independently develop appropriate personal hygiene routines. For example, children are aware of why they should wash hands at certain times. Children receive a range of healthy snacks such as fruit and can make choices about what they would like in their sandwiches. Drinks are readily available at all times. The childminder helps children begin to understand about keeping themselves safe by reminding them not to climb on the chairs, as they could fall and hurt themselves. The childminder has some house rules and is firm and consistent in her expectations of children’s behaviour. Children behave well and are polite, for example, saying please and thank you without prompting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are praised for their efforts. The childminder encourages the children to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

complete the puzzles, helping to boost children’s confidence and self-esteem. Children’s art work is displayed before they take it home. Children have regular outings in the local community and play in the garden everyday, this helps develop their awareness of a healthy lifestyle. They reinforce and improve their physical skills as they play on the apparatus in the local park and in the garden. On outings they have opportunities to talk about the things they see and collect items such as leaves to look at and use at home. Children develop good relationships with the childminder, co-childminder and each other. 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? 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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