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 EY387974 Inspection date 28/05/2009 Inspector Ann Hilary Guy

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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 2009. She works from her parents' home on the outskirts of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The childminder has three children, aged four, three and eight months. The childminder uses the ground floor for childminding, plus one bedroom on the first floor for sleeping children, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, to care for a maximum of three children when working alone and eight children when working with an assistant. She is currently minding, with her assistant, four children under five and four children before and after school and during school holidays. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools, and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children enjoy a fun time with the childminder and her assistant, who offer individual support to the children and help them to progress in their learning and development from their various starting points. Their welfare is well promoted through the daily routines, risk assessments and organisation of the provision. Close links with parents and other professionals are in place, enabling consistency in the care and education offered to the children. Planning and observations are in their infancy and still need further development, although both the childminder and her assistant demonstrate a good understanding of how children learn and develop.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a system to show how children are progressing towards the six early learning goals; identify the next steps of learning and use these when planning the next week's activities  develop the planning to clearly show how it meets the individual learning needs of the children.

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provision

The care and education of the children is underpinned by a good set of policies and procedures that are shared with all the parents. Very good use is made of the childminder's assistant, ensuring all children receive as much individual attention as possible. Resources are of good quality and mainly in one room, stored accessibly for children and adults to easily use. As the provision has only been open for a short time, the views of parents and carers have not yet been sought to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 inform the evaluation of the care and education provided.

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provision

A good relationship has been established with all the parents, with the childminder seeking additional information about each child so she can tailor her care to meet their needs and understand their 'special words' for everyday things. She is also developing close links with the various other groups and schools which the children attend. This is ensuring the children receive consistency in both care and education.

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provision

The safety of the children is paramount and the childminder has carried out regular risk assessments both at the house and prior to taking the children on any outings, identifying and alleviating where possible all risks. Great care has been taken to ensure all the resources both in the house and outside are fit for purpose and safe for the children to use.

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provision

Through their daily routine, children learn good health and hygiene practices, as well as healthy eating. The childminder and her assistant have a good understanding of the importance of safeguarding the children and understand their responsibilities with regards to child protection.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are settled, happy and stimulated in this busy family provision. The childminder and her assistant both support the children extremely well and offer a wide range of interesting and challenging experiences to broaden their knowledge and understanding in all areas of the curriculum. Children had visited the Roald Dahl Museum, where they had made a crocodile from egg boxes to support the story they heard entitled 'The Enormous Crocodile'. This story was repeated during the inspection and every child was riveted and involved in the tale.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Planning is currently based around topics and the adult-led activities that will include all ages are decided upon. Throughout the day the children experience a very good balance of self-initiated play and adult-led play, both in the house and garden, which covers all areas of learning effectively. Every child has a daily diary in which the childminder writes notes about the child's day and some of these take the form of observations she has made where a child has done something special. The childminder is getting to know the children very well and knows the things they like and dislike. Using this information she builds her daily routine and activities to meet the individual needs of the children in her care. However, there is nothing in place to show how the children are progressing against the early learning goals and how the plans relate to the next steps of learning for the individual children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is currently not caring for any children with additional learning needs, but her assistant is very skilled in this area. The liaison with parents and other professionals is very positive and having a good impact on the children's learning and development. Children enjoy healthy, nutritious meals, freshly cooked each day and they regularly have fruit or fruit bars for snack. Drinks are readily available throughout the day. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Good steps have been put in place to promote children's good health and well- being, including the use of disposable towels in the cloakroom. The childminder has found she has very few issues regarding adverse behaviour because the children are kept busy and stimulated throughout the day. She has a clear behaviour management policy, to which both the childminder and her assistant adhere. This includes turning negative situations into positive ones and offering

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

lots of praise and encouragement. When squabbles over toys occur she uses these to teach the children about sharing and taking turns, helping them to find strategies to deal with these without adult intervention. 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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