Childminder, Out-of school day care 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 108223 Inspection date 18/05/2009 Inspector Anne Nicholson

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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 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two school aged children within a residential area close to Old Windsor, Windsor and Englefield Green in the Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The childminder’s home is a bungalow and all care is on the ground floor. She has a pet dog and cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder attends local carer and toddler groups.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has an NVQ level 3 in Childcare and Education.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder has a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundations Stage (EYFS) that she is continuing to develop to ensure that children's individual welfare, learning and development requirements remain met. Children benefit from the childminder planning activities and a range of outings to ensure their individual learning outcomes are met. Their learning and development are supported through a range of written observations being completed which the childminder then mentally assesses, which leads to her deciding on their next steps of learning and what she needs to plan or provide to support these. These achievements are not linked directly into the EYFS early learning goals and there are no base-line assessments completed to show children’s overall progress whilst in the childminder’s care. Parents state how happy they are with the care that their children receive in the setting and how the

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

childminder is working with them to support this progression. They receive information in a variety of ways from the initial policies and documents to daily verbal feedback and the completion of a daily diary and seeing the photo book. The childminder is beginning to complete a self-evaluation process to highlight areas of strength within her practice and areas to develop further to improve the outcomes for those 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?

 review learning and development recording systems to ensure that children's starting points are clearly identified, that there are clear links between observations and children's next steps for learning and that their achievements are recorded and clearly identifiable within the Early Years Foundation Stage six areas of learning to show overall progression. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder is committed to her own professional development and regularly completes training sessions to support this and develop her understanding of areas that support the children in her care, for instance sessions to support children’s additional needs. Children enjoy a variety of activities that cover all areas of learning and she records observations effectively to identify to herself children’s next steps for learning to support their continuing progression. The childminder displays a good knowledge of the children in her care and their abilities, likes and dislikes ensuring that she provides different resources and activities that encourage them to consolidate and improve on their current skills. Parents state how happy they are with the care that their children receive in the setting and how the childminder is working with them to support this progression. They receive information in a variety of ways from the initial policies and documents to daily

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provision

verbal feedback and the completion of a daily diary and seeing the photo book. Children remain effectively safeguarded as the childminder is aware of the process to follow if she has a concern and the signs to look for. She ensures that any accidents, incidents or pre-existing injuries are recorded and that parents provide prior written consent for the administration of any medication.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The needs of the children remain well met within a child-centred environment which enables them to feel settled and develop a sense of belonging. The childminder spends her time playing down with the children and demonstrates a good understanding of their individual likes and dislikes. Children respond well to the positive interaction they receive from the childminder and this enables them to gain confidence in their abilities and enjoy their play. They have easy access to a wide range of toys and resources from low level storage or by choosing from an item from a pictorial book of resources the childminder has created for them to additionally choose from. The childminder ensures these are stimulating and appropriate for their age and developmental stage. Children also benefit from a range of experiences away from the home environment including visits to Black Park Country Park, Windsor Castle to watch the Guards march or to the Look Out

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to interact within their science exhibitions all of which provide children with new challenges and learning opportunities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s progress is supported by the childminder planning opportunities, activities and by also allowing them to choose play resources for themselves. Each child has a file of photos showing activities they have participated in, as well as a folder of observations undertaken by the childminder. These methods for recording achievements and progress are an area that the childminder is looking at developing further to ensure that they accurately show how children are progressing through the EYFS early learning goals and what the childminder has raised as the next steps of learning to promote.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children remain protected from the risk of cross-infections through the childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 maintaining a high standard of cleanliness, following good hygiene practice when changing nappies and by excluding children who are ill and infectious. They enjoy some form of external play or exercise each day to develop a positive attitude towards getting fresh air and exercise. Drinks remain accessible to children throughout the day and they enjoy a range of healthy and nutritious meals, provided by the childminder or their parents, which have regard for their individual dietary needs and preferences. They remain protected and secure as the childminder ensures that there is appropriate supervision both inside and outside the home and risk assessments routinely completed on the premises and for outings. Children receive praise for their achievements and consistent approach is

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

used to support children with additional developmental needs. They receive encouragement to share during activities and through careful planning and impromptu opportunities learn to respect each other and value diversity. 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

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