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 EY103540 Inspection date 13/02/2009 Inspector Andrea Ewer

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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 2000 and is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children up to the age of eight years and is currently caring for five children in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband, mother-in-law and two children aged 16 and 12 years old, in a house in a rural village in Buckinghamshire. Care is provided on the ground floor and includes the playroom, kitchen and downstairs cloakroom. Children share access to the garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association, is accredited with the National Childminding Association 'Children come First' quality assurance scheme and holds a level 3 qualification in Extending Childminding Practice and a Diploma in Child Psychology.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder provides exceptionally well for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The individual needs of each child are routinely met because the childminder recognises their uniqueness. She organises her time and resources to ensure they make excellent progress in their learning and development and children's welfare is promoted very well. Exemplary partnerships between the childminder, parents and others involved with children in her care, contributes successfully to an integrated and cohesive approach to children's care and learning and ensures they are well protected. The extensive use of self-evaluation forms an integral part of the childminder's practice and ensures outcomes for children are continually enhanced.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to develop the use of self-evaluation to maintain the high standards of care and children's learning.

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provision

The childminder has exceptionally high aspirations for each child and is committed to providing high quality care and play experiences that builds a secure foundation for their future learning. The extensive use of self-reflection is used to monitor and evaluate the provision and contributes very well to promoting outcomes for children successfully. The childminder continues to attend training to enhance her skills and keep up-to-date with current best practice. She has attended numerous This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 training courses since her last inspection including Rounded and Well Founded - exceeding Early Years Foundation Stage expectations, Making Chatter Matter - Prioritising Conversation with Under Threes, Early Years Foundation Stage - Focus Learning Environment course and Curriculum Planning. Consequently children make excellent progress, are confident and develop a positive self-image.

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provision

Children's welfare is at the core of the comprehensive policies and procedures, which underpin all aspects of the childminder's practice and are fully inclusive for all who attend. Thorough records of children's achievement based on their starting points and capabilities are used to monitor their progress, identify their next steps and plan for individual children's learning and development. Children's records of achievement are shared with parents every two months and the use of daily diaries that both the childminder and parents complete, contribute to the excellent partnership with parents and encourages them to continue children's learning at home. Parents say they value the childminder's flexibility, openness, desire for children to make good progress in their development and passion for providing high quality care for children. The childminder has developed close partnerships with others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to children to ensure

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provision

progression and continuity of care and learning. Relevant information about children is shared and the childminder often continues activities from the playgroup at home which reinforces their learning.

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provision

Robust safeguarding procedures ensure children are protected from harm or neglect. The childminder has a secure understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and her responsibility in protecting children. Extensive risk assessments show how potential hazards are minimised in the home, outdoors, during outings and for each child and support the visual checks carried out continuously throughout childminding hours.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children feel valued and secure in the childminder's care. They make significant gains in their learning and development because the childminder supports them extremely well. She uses her extensive knowledge of child development to organise her time, space and resources to help children become active learners and effectively utilises opportunities to help children learn and develop. For example, she talks to children about the rainbow shadows shining through the window on a sunny day and how they move depending on how much the curtains are closed. High quality planning that older children contribute to, includes a wide and varied range of stimulating activities that build on children's interests and ensures that each child receives an enjoyable and challenging experience across each area of learning. Very young children gain confidence in communication and language as the childminder responds to their gestures, talks and listens to them

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

as they look at books together. They point to the animal pictures on the poster and repeat the name of the animal after the childminder. Children become confident in their own abilities as the childminder allows time and space for them to explore. For example, children who dislike the feel of paint on their hands are sensitively supported to use paint in many ways before eventually thoroughly enjoying finger painting where their hands become covered in paint. Records show children learn This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about change and solve simple problems as part of everyday practical activities. They help to weigh the ingredients and count out how many paper cases and chocolate buttons they need while making cakes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit immensely from friendly and consistent interaction with the childminder who has high expectations for their behaviour. They understand what is expected of them and are able to make a positive contribution to their care and learning. They have many opportunities to make choices and suggest activities that are included in planning. Children start to appreciate diversity as they play with toys and activities that show positive images of people from a range of backgrounds and with differing abilities. Consequently they develop a positive self- esteem, start to respect each other and are well behaved.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted extremely well in all areas. They stay safe because effective measures are in place to eliminate the risk of accidents and written policies and procedures such as health and safety are implemented robustly and with a high level of consistency. Children start to understand dangers during outings and learn to cross roads safely. Hygiene standards throughout the home are very good and children stay healthy because they start to understand and actively adopt healthy practices as part of daily routines. The risk of cross-infection is significantly reduced because children understand the importance of washing their hands at appropriate times during the day and clear nappy changing routines effectively maintain hygiene standards. The childminder holds a current first aid qualification, has a well-stocked first aid kit and implements her written illness policy which ensures children are cared for appropriately if they become unwell.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children start to make healthy choices about what they eat during snack time and are able to access drinking water at any time. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 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 registration or 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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