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

p.1

Unique reference number EY287356 Inspection date 08/01/2009 Inspector Susan Tuffnell

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband is a residential area of Winslow in Buckinghamshire. The ground floor of the premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The premises are fully accessible with ramps leading to the rear entrance. The family has a cat.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care every weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for three children on the Early Years Register and four children currently attend on part-time and flexible arrangements. The childminder is currently providing care for one child on the Compulsory Childcare Register (CCR) and six children on the Voluntary Childcare Register (VCR).

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder holds the NVQ Level 3 qualification in Childcare. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and works in partnership with other childminders through the NCMA network Bucks Buddy Scheme. She also works in partnership with parents and other professionals.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the childminder provides a safe and welcoming environment that supports children very well in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. The effective partnership with parents and interesting and challenging activities contribute significantly to meeting individual children's needs. Children are valued because the childminder successfully promotes diversity and equal opportunities through the children's daily routines and activities. The self-evaluation process identifies a clear understanding of priorities for improvement to provide the best care and education for the children.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 conduct a risk assessment that identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, maintain a record of these aspects and review it regulary. The risk assessment should cover anything with which a child may come into contact  ensure that regular evacuation drills are carried out and details recorded in a fire log book. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

provision

The childminder effectively manages the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision. She demonstrates a positive attitude to continuous improvement and has an impressive training programme in place to enhance her knowledge and experience. For example, she holds the Cache Level 3 Certificate in Childminding Practice and has completed training in self-evaluation and quality relationships. A further training programme is planned for the near future. Children are safeguarded because the childminder takes necessary steps to protect and promote their welfare through effective procedures.

p.4

provision

The childminder provides an inclusive service that promotes children's welfare requirements. She understands and engages in reflective practice respecting diversity and valuing a child as a unique individual. Consequently, inclusive practice is promoted so that all children have their welfare requirements met very well. Parents, carers and other agencies are involved as partners in promoting children’s learning and development. For example, the childminder has made strong links with the pre-school about the activities provided for the children. This enables her to extend children's learning at the setting and work with parents. Parents are kept informed of their child’s achievements through sharing their assessments files and regular written and verbal feedback.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are supported well as they access a good range of interesting and challenging play materials and equipment. The childminder collects information from parents about children's interests, needs and capabilities and uses this to inform future planning. She uses excellent observations to track children's progress and this is linked securely to the early learning goals. Children's interests and ideas are valued, they are confident in selecting and carrying out activities of their choice and are able to be spontaneous in a safe and secure environment. Planning is linked to observations and assessments and children's identified needs and interests are carried forward to the next steps and included in activities to give a clear picture of progress.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are offered a balanced range of activities and are encouraged to make choices and instigate play opportunities. For example, children decide to sort out the toy animals and to share them. They talk about the 'babies' and look for them in the box. Children play imaginatively as they make animal sounds and movements as they play. The well planned learning environment gives children of all ages opportunities to join in activities. Children pick rhubarb in the garden and talk about eating the stalks but not the leaves as they are poisonous. They help make rhubarb crumble for tea. The childminder plans further opportunities for the children to pick and eat fruit as they pick blackberries and make apple and blackberry crumble. Children are encouraged to explore their environment through planned outings to the library and regular trips on the community bus. Topics are planned to celebrate familiar and unfamiliar festivals. For example, children

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

celebrate the festival of Eid. They help make crescent shaped bread and listen to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 stories about different family traditions. Children make clay lamps for Diwali, the festival of light and cards for the Jewish festival of Hanaka. All the children join in with an excellent project to trace their ancestry. Children from many different backgrounds trace family roots to Australia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and England, Scotland and Wales. The childminder uses the map of the world to pinpoint places where some of the children's grandparents still live.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder encourages the children to be active in their learning and to work and play together harmoniously. Young children are very happy, well behaved and share willingly with their peers. Their independence is encouraged as they take off their coats and shoes and wash their hands before lunch. Children are learning social skills as they sit up at the table for meals. They sit and talk with the childminder about healthy foods. For example, the children discuss eating dates and express their likes and dislikes about fruit they have tasted at the setting.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a generally safe and secure environment. However, risk assessments are not used to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis to ensure that outdoor and indoor spaces, furniture, equipment and toys are safe and suitable for the children. The childminder has appropriate fire fighting equipment such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket and a fire evacuation procedure is in place. However, regular fire drills are not carried out to ensure that children have opportunities to practise evacuation and are confident in a real fire situation. Children have a good understanding about their own safety as they practise road safety when out walking. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.8

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.

p.8