Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY348250 Inspection date 02/12/2009 Inspector Sarah Fletcher

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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 registered in 2007. She lives with her son aged six years in the residential area of Stoke Mandeville, near Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder’s home is used for childminding, except the master bedroom. She has two guinea pigs and a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group on a part time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school/pre- school and goes to several toddler/activity groups regularly.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a caring and comfortable family environment for all the children she minds and acknowledges each child is unique, with their own individual needs and interests. She has a clear understanding of her role and her responsibilities to protect children and safeguards them very well. Children are making visible progress in their overall learning and development as they enjoy a variety of activities within the home and make visits to local groups together. The childminder builds and maintains very good relationships with parents and shows commitment to developing and improving her practice to promote outcomes for children effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop knowledge and understanding of children's learning and development to aid their individual progress towards the early learning goals further develop assessment of minding practice through self-evaluation towards future improvement

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted both efficiently and effectively, as the childminder safeguards them exceptionally well. She has a clear child protection policy in place, which works successfully to protect children from harm and ensure they remain sheltered from unvetted persons at all times. The childminder clearly understands the signs of abuse and neglect and is aware of the importance of recording any This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 concerns, ensuring she has the latest guidance and appropriate contact numbers within easy reach. The childminder has created clear and detailed risk assessments for reducing hazards to children, which include all areas they use indoors and outside. She ensures children are familiar with safety procedures to promote their safety effectively, as she discusses the evacuation procedure with them and helps them to practise the fire drill regularly. Children’s road safety is important to the

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the early years provision

childminder and she reinforces rules and guidelines carefully as the children walk around the locality under her close supervision.

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the early years provision

The childminder maintains records appropriately and has comprehensive parent- friendly policies and procedures in place to support her practice. She has obtained written parental consents for each minded child and maintains a current first aid certificate. The childminder discusses the health and care needs of individual children confidentially to support her care and promote an inclusive environment. She makes effective use of space and resources, supplementing these with daily walks and visits to local activity groups for the children as part of their overall learning and development. Children are able to make their own decisions about what they do and play with, including playing in the garden or park, which contributes to their healthy lifestyle.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to take positive steps towards improvement through her developing system of self-evaluation. She is starting to look at her practice to identify areas for development and is planning to create questionnaires to ask parents for their valuable feedback. The childminder offers parents daily information about their children's care and learning achievements and shares their learning records confidentially. She establishes very good relationships with parents, as she is extremely open and approachable, encouraging an important two-way flow of information. The childminder understands the need to work collaboratively with other settings children may attend in order to fully support their learning and developmental needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their overall development towards the early learning goals in relation to their starting points of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), guiding their everyday play and learning environment with their own choices. Flexible planning systems offer interest and challenge children, and are beginning to meet their changing developmental needs. The childminder makes observations while children play, linking her findings to the EYFS practice guidance. She is beginning to assess children’s visible progress and plan their next steps of learning and development to aid individual progress towards the early learning goals. Young children enjoy their learning and demonstrate their growing confidence as they interact with the childminder. They are becoming active learners, developing activities into their own ideas, such as shopping in the play shop and then cooking the play food together, or assembling the large train track

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and outcomes for children

route, with little guidance from childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children's communication and language skills benefit from high levels of support This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 from the childminder, which contributes to their developing skills for the future. She helps them to widen their vocabulary as they play, asking them open questions and taking time to listen to their responses. Children are beginning to develop an understanding of the wider world, as the childminder provides an expanding range of resources and activities to help them learn about diversity and other cultures. These include a large selection of books, some with dual languages; dolls with different skin colours; small world play figures and positive images within puzzles and games. The childminder continues to develop her provision and activities to demonstrate different cultures to children, including introducing a variety of different foods from around the world. She also provides a display of

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and outcomes for children

world maps to help children identify countries and a poster of children with disabilities to encourage discussions about differing abilities and disabilities. To support children’s growing understanding of equality and diversity, the childminder helps them learn about making a positive contribution and building helpful relationships with each other, which is reflected in how well the children behave and learn important messages about right and wrong.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to feel safe because of the childminder's caring approach, with routines for younger children followed from home for consistency and continuity of care. Children demonstrate their feelings of security as they play confidently, asking the childminder for help whenever they need it, and by cuddling up close together with her on the sofa for a story before lunch. Children are able to rest according to their needs in a secure environment and learn about their own safety as they move around the childminder’s home and when outside. The childminder enables children to enjoy a healthy lifestyle while in her care, as she develops their understanding of healthy food choices, providing a wide range of nutritious meals and healthy snacks. For example, children enjoy spaghetti bolognaise or chicken casserole with vegetables, regular drinks in individual bottles or cups and a wide variety of fruit options for snacks. Children learn simple hygiene routines from an

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and outcomes for children

early age, such as hand washing before eating and after toileting through gentle reinforcement. The childminder helps children to use hand gel after handling animals or when playing out and about in local parks. She is careful to monitor any children’s allergies and follows clear nappy changing routines to meet the needs of younger children. The childminder aids children’s understanding of adopting a healthy lifestyle and explains the importance of fresh air, exercise and their own safety as they walk around the locality to and from school. Together, they take the family dog for a daily walk and attend a variety of activity groups, such as the children’s gym, music sessions, or visit the library for bounce and rhyme time and choosing books. 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 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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