Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 107808 Inspection date 14/10/2009 Inspector Margaret Davie

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 1996. She lives with her husband and three adult children in Chalfont St Peter, Buckinghamshire. Her home is a three story townhouse, and she mainly uses the first floor for childcare, with toilet facilities on the second floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play and children are regularly taken to the local park.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and may care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. She currently minds three children in the early years age group and five older children between the ages of seven and 10 years, all part-time. She walks to and from local schools to take and collect children. The childminder has an NNEB qualification.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder knows children well and offers them warm, caring and inclusive early years support. Children are happy and confident in her home and enjoy using the good quality, age appropriate toys and resources to promote their development. However, she has not yet fully developed her assessment procedures to ensure activities are tailored to their individual needs by matching her observations to the requirements of the early learning goals. She reflects on the quality of her care, taking the views of parents into account, but has only partially completed her self-evaluation and not fully addressed areas in need of development, in order to promote continuous improvement of her provision.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 obtain prior written permission for each and every medicine from parents before any medication is given to promote the good health of children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 30/10/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the assessment arrangements further to ensure that observations of children are matched to the requirements of the early learning goals and meaningful next steps are identified and used to inform planning, to help them make as much progress as possible  update the record of risk assessments to include any assessment of risks for outings and trips to promote children's safety This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  continue developing the systems used for identifying strengths and areas for development to secure continuous improvement

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the early years provision

The childminder implements a range of policies and procedures to ensure children are safeguarded. She is aware of her responsibility in keeping them free from harm and is familiar with Local Safeguarding Children Boards procedures, and what to do if she has a concern about a child in her care. She recognises the importance of keeping her training in this area fresh and has booked herself onto updated training in the near future. Adults living in her household have all been checked to ensure their suitability. She conducts regular checks of her home and uses a range of safety measures, such as providing stair gates and ensuring smoke alarms are in good working order to protect children. Risks are assessed for outings, however she does not keep a record of the checks for each type of outing, as is required. This means that reviews may not be conducted in a timely manner. Clear hygiene routines are followed and she keeps her home very clean, tidy and well

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the early years provision

maintained. She works closely with parents to ensure that children's health and dietary needs are met, however she was not aware that their prior written permission was required before any medicine was administered to their child. This is a breach of the regulations.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes equality for all children. She has attended training to familiarise herself with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), however she has not yet fully developed her assessment arrangements to make best use of this guidance to further promote children's development. She provides a good range of interesting, easily accessible resources to encourage them to learn and ensures they understand the need for sustainability through providing a good example. She has partially completed a self-evaluation of her setting, and consulted formally with parents to make sure her provision meets their needs. Through this, she has identified some areas for development, and is committed to attending further training. Parents report that they are very pleased with the care she provides for their children, citing particular examples of how well she helps them to settle, develop respect and enjoy a wide range of activities.

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the early years provision

They appreciate the daily diaries she provides and her approachable, friendly manner which helps their children feel safe and secure.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow their own interests as they choose from the wide variety of resources which are provided in the child friendly playroom. Their independence is promoted well as they access the toys, which are stored in big open boxes or on accessible shelves. They enjoy listening to their favourite stories as they snuggle up on the childminder's lap, improving their understanding of dental hygiene as they read about teddy brushing his teeth. They problem solve and develop their early numeracy skills as they complete a shape puzzle, supported by the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder's skilled intervention. The childminder shows that she enjoys their company by involving herself fully in their play to support their development. For example, she chats to them and encourages their imaginative play as she sits with them and enjoys a tea party. This impacts positively on their achievement.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate that they are comfortable and relaxed in her company, approaching her regularly for a cuddle and looking to her to provide any support they feel they need, confident that she will respond accordingly. She has started to make some observations of them in order to evaluate their progress and to identify their next steps, however she is not yet making full use of the EYFS guidance documents to do this. As a result, next steps do not clearly arise out of matching activities to the requirements of the early learning goals and therefore planned activities may not take full account of their individual needs. Parents are kept fully informed about their child's development through accessible records and daily feedback. Recently, they were invited to a show for which children dressed up, made tickets and invitations, reserved seats and helped with the refreshments, thereby demonstrating a wide range of skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain an understanding of how to keep themselves safe as the childminder regularly discusses safety with them. For example, they are taught from a young age to hold hands while on outings and through stories consider what sort of play might be hazardous for them. They learn about good hygiene as they are encouraged to wash their hands regularly to prevent the spread of germs and their good health benefits from regular play in the outdoors. For example, they play happily with the balls in the childminder's garden, and also visit local parks where they have access to a range of large play equipment to develop their physical skills and confidence. Children follow their own sleep routines and are provided with a well balanced diet to support their good health. They learn about acceptable behaviour as they respond to the childminder's high expectations and her calm and consistent manner. She encourages them to develop a sense of achievement as

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and outcomes for children

they help with simple tasks such as tidying up and finding their shoes before going outdoors. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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Stage

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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