Childminder in West Berkshire

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 EY308452 Inspection date 08/07/2009 Inspector Marie Thompson

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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 registered in 2005. She lives with her husband and two children, aged two and four years, in Tilehurst, Reading, Berkshire. The house is within walking distance of the local pre-school, primary school, shops, park and transport links. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family do not have any pets.

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Description of the childminding

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

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to collect children from the local school and attends several groups on a regular basis. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are at home and happy in the environment where they receive good support from the childminder, who spends her time actively involved in their play, extending their learning and development. The childminder's knowledge of each child's individual needs ensures that she promotes all aspects of children's welfare and learning with success. Children are safe and secure at all times and enjoy learning about the world around them. The professionalism of the childminder and her congenial and consolatory approach to caring for children ensures the service she provides is flexible, caring and inclusive, and meets the individual needs of all 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?

 develop the self-evaluation process further

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provision

Children benefit from the childminder's good knowledge and understanding of equality and inclusion and her policy of undertaking any necessary training to meet the needs of specific children. Hence, all children are included in all aspects of the childminder's day, for example, the childminder ensures that the youngest children are able to reach toys as easily as the older children. She knows the children in her care well, is respectful to them and utilises her knowledge of their individuality well to encourage their self-confidence and self-esteem. In addition to the required records, written policies and procedures cover all aspects of the childminder’s This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 practice and she shares these with parents. The childminder is fully aware of her role in safeguarding children and has attended training recently, therefore, they are safe and secure in her care. She is very efficient in undertaking and reviewing

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provision

risk assessments to reduce the hazards to children.

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provision

The childminder is proactive in working in partnership with parents and others involved in the children's care and education. She provides a care diary and scrapbook for each child which charts their progress through a selection of formats such as photographs and examples of their work. The childminder has started to look at the self-evaluation process but this needs to be developed further. Along with planning, observation and assessment systems are highly effective in promoting the children's leaning journeys though the Early Years Foundation Stage. She carries out detailed observations of the children attending and has linked these to their progress in the six areas of learning. This information is then used by the childminder to identify how she can plan the next steps in children's learning. The childminder develops very good, loving relationships with the children, which ensures that children are confident in her care. Children are very

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provision

secure in their surroundings and thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to develop independence in the provision because the childminder has thought very well about the layout of the room to maximise children's freedom of choice and ability to self select from the range of toys and resources she has to offer. All toys and resources are easily accessible in baskets and boxes which are at the children's level.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has thought carefully about the range of activities that she offers to the children in her care. For example, she has changed the sand and water in the tray for pine cones and shredded silver paper. These encourage young children's development of touch, texture and sight using a variety of materials. She has a good knowledge and understanding of the differing stages of development and plans her activities accordingly so that each child is able to progress through play to their potential. Children make decisions, learn to share toys and equipment thus becoming self confident at the toddler sessions, where they meet new friends. This enables them to form relationships with other children of mixed ages.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There is a large garden for outside play with some physical toys or to run and jump in the wide open space. The childminder has given a lot of thought to the type of activities on offer in the garden and how these can be extended to provide an exciting learning experience for the children. Their outdoor fun includes running and climbing to help them get stronger and exercising their bodies by enjoying the resources offered to them. There is a fabulous wooden climbing frame and slide, trampoline and ride-on toys.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children's learning is initiated through topics and at the moment they are learning about 'our garden'. The childminder turned the play house into a garden centre where the children could 'buy' plants. They have had great fun performing a puppet show with bug puppets and going for long woodland walks looking for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 wildlife, birds and insects, investigating leaves and trees. The childminder has many animals that come to the fence at the end of her garden including deer and badgers. This is a delightful first hand learning experience for the children. They are reading the story of 'The Hungry Caterpillar' and have made their own caterpillars from egg boxes, paints and pipe-cleaners. The childminder and the children have lots of fun and laughter being animals through music and movements. They have potato printed animal footprints and made animal mobiles

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to hang around the room. The children plant and tend vegetables which gives them the knowledge to explore and investigate their surroundings, choosing where they are going to plant or dig. They ask questions about how seeds and plants grow, incorporating cumulative skills and development through language and movement. They make connections between the soil being needed for the plants and seeds to grow whilst learning about the importance of tending the seedlings. They help to water them and watch them grow. By reading or being read seed packets they use literacy and numeracy skills which develops their problem solving and reasoning abilities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is very aware of the need to encourage good behaviour through praise and encouragement and help children to feel good about themselves. Children are encouraged to share and take turns in their play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have access to a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities, both indoors and outdoors, that help them make good progress in the six areas of learning. The childminder spends all her time actively engaged in play with the children. She has a lovely manner when she is talking to the children. This receives a lovely response from the children of happy smiles. The childminder is enthusiastic about the toys and activities she presents, so the children are keen to explore them and join her in games. All children are included in all aspects of the childminder's day. She is beginning to know the children in her care well, is respectful to them and utilises her knowledge of their individuality well to encourage their self-confidence and self-esteem. 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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