Lateu-Smith, Michelle 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 EY303047 Inspection date 04/02/2009 Inspector Margaret Moffat

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and three children, who are aged nine, seven and two years, in Burnham, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding, with sleeping facilities available upstairs. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder makes use of local facilities, such as parks, the library and toddler groups. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight 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 effective systems in place ensure children's individual needs are met and they make very good progress in their learning and development. Good relationships are evident, resulting in the children being confident and secure with the childminder and in their environment. Children's sense of belonging is nurtured as they see photographs of themselves at various activities and displays of their artwork in the playroom. The childminder offers an inclusive service where all children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder demonstrates a good capacity to improve her provision further.

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further?

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

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further?

 further promote children's awareness of keeping themselves safe by practising the emergency evacuation  ensure risk assessment covers outings and anything with which a child may come into contact.

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provision

The childminder organises the environment well to maximise the play opportunities for the children. They develop independence as they select activities for themselves. They experience a wide variety of activities both in the home and outside. The childminder spends time talking and playing with the children. She knows the children well and provides effective support for each child's needs. The childminder is aware of the importance of safeguarding children and procedures are in place for identifying any child at risk of harm and liaising with appropriate agencies. A risk assessment is in place to minimise the hazards to children's safety, along with daily checks and the use of safety features. However, the record of risk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessment does not contain risk assessments for outings.

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provision

The childminder strives for continuous improvement to ensure the children receive good care and excellent learning and development opportunities. She regularly attends courses to update her knowledge, asks parents for their views and uses self-evaluation and her own reflection to help identify improvements, for example, to practise the emergency evacuation procedure with the children to further develop their awareness of keeping themselves safe.

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provision

All required documentation is in place to support children's welfare in the setting. Children benefit from the excellent relationships the childminder has with their parents. Daily diaries and verbal communication ensure they are well informed about their children's learning and development. They have regular opportunities to see children's records and the progress they are making through a selection of photographs and observations and how the childminder intends to meet their next steps in learning. Parents report that they are very happy with the childminder's service.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make excellent progress in all areas of development as the childminder has a very good understanding of child development and how to promote each child's learning in accordance with their needs. Observations and assessment are frequently undertaken. The childminder uses the information gathered to plan for children's next steps in learning. Children participate in a range of adult-led and child-initiated activities which are stimulating and challenging and this results in them being active learners and creative. For example, during roller painting activities children make different marks on the paper with specific rollers. The childminder talks to them about shapes and encourages them to use different rollers to see the difference. As children squeeze the sponges on the rollers the childminder asks them what it feels like and the children talk about it being squashy. As their hands are covered in paint, the children make hand prints on the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

paper and the childminder praises them for their efforts. When the childminder talks to them about the colour they are using and asks if they can see anything else which is the same colour, the children confidently name items such as the t- shirt one of them is wearing. Children clearly enjoy painting activities and have fun. The childminder knows the children well. She is constantly talking and playing with the children and asking appropriate questions to develop their thinking and conversational skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses the outside area extremely well. Children have opportunities to explore, use their senses and be physically active as they enjoy activities such as jumping on the trampoline and playing in the sand tray. The childminder makes use of weather conditions to give children experiences that are not often available to them such as building snowmen, making snow castles and sledging. The children have good fun as they sit on the sledge as the childminder pulls them round the garden. The childminder reinforces children's awareness of keeping themselves safe as she encourages children to go slowly and not to run as they go out into the garden as it is slippy and they may fall over. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a positive attitude towards diversity. Children become aware of their own and other cultures through a range of resources and planned

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

activities, such as celebrating a variety of festivals. Outings in the local community help children develop an understanding of the world around them, and visits to local toddler groups give children the opportunity to socialise with other children and adults.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop very good independence skills as the childminder encourages them to do things for themselves. For example, as an indication they would like to go outside, children put their hats on and the childminder encourages them to find their own shoes, coats and gloves. Children are praised for their efforts and the childminder assists them if needed. She develops children's awareness of their own care needs as she asks them why they need to put these things on and they say because it is cold outside. Children learn about staying healthy through a well balanced diet and the introduction of good hygiene routines from an early age. Children are well behaved and show kindness towards each other as they hand painting aprons to others. They patiently wait for their turn to use the computer as others are playing a game. 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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