Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY317286 Inspection date 13/10/2009 Inspector Susan Marriott

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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 2006. She lives with her partner and two children aged seven and four years in their house in Wendover, Buckinghamshire. Shops, a park, library and other amenities lie within walking distance. The childminder can take children to and collect them from, local schools and pre- schools. Minded children may use the entire house, although in practice, remain mostly downstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. 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 two children in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The family has a pet cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

This childminder has enthusiastically embraced the spirit and intention of the Early Years Foundation Stage and her professional commitment and dedication enables her to offer an excellent standard of care and education to the children. Children clearly thrive and make rapid progress in this family setting that truly recognises their uniqueness and individuality. The childminder meets the diverse needs of children and ensures that children participate in all activities in a fully inclusive way. Through rigorous reflective practice, the childminder identifies and promptly acts upon any areas for improvement thus demonstrating an outstanding capacity to improve.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 enhancing further the existing system for monitoring the quality of provision.

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the early years provision

Children enjoy an exemplary quality of care and education in this homely setting, supported by exceptionally well-organised and individualised policies, procedures and records. The childminder demonstrates an extremely good understanding of the procedures regarding the safeguarding of children and a very high level of commitment to promoting children's safety. For example, the childminder has devised her own policy for the safe use of skipping ropes, following several reported incidents, and she ensures that all household members undergo This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriate checks. A very clear complaints procedure is in place and extensive risk assessment is carefully recorded and consistently monitored. Consequently, dangers are minimised and children's safety is robustly secured.

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the early years provision

The childminder is acutely aware of the diverse needs of children and extremely effective links with the parents and carers, enables the childminder to tailor activities to the individual children in her care. The childminder makes exceptionally good use of the space available in her home to provide a very welcoming environment where resources are well-organised and accessible, enabling children to make independent choices about their play. For example, the front entrance hall houses a toy storage unit and information for parents and carers is displayed on the walls.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an infectious enthusiasm for her work and is highly motivated to make changes that drive improvement and improve the outcomes for children. Consequently, the childminder is committed to enhancing her self- evaluation form and using it as a working document to secure her outstanding capacity to improve. The childminder values the benefits of continuing professional development and regularly attends training courses to extend her skills and support further improvement in her practice.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gives outstanding support to learning as she skilfully draws the learning from child-led play. For example, children choose sets of picture cards from the toy storage unit but are unsure what to do with them. The childminder sets them the task of finding cards that are the same. Children get excited when they find two cards the same and the childminder introduces the idea of the game of 'Snap', offering enthusiastic praise for their success. The children show her a 'hospital' card and she explains that it is a picture of an ambulance and provides the explanation that this is the vehicle which takes people to hospital when they are unwell. The education programme is extremely well-organised, collating information from other providers with themes and activities tailored to the interests and abilities of the children in attendance. These cover all aspects of the early learning goals, ensuring children enjoy a broad, stimulating variety of activities and

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and outcomes for children

are designed to meet each child's developmental needs. For example, the childminder is aware that the children's school is providing experiences connected with remote control cars and is extending this within her setting to consolidate children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Exceedingly well-documented observations, very closely linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage, are maintained on all children prior to starting school. From her observation of the children in her care, she knows that she needs to focus more upon colours, shapes, counting and letter sounds and these aspects of learning are clearly included on the following week's plan. Plans identify clear learning intentions, based upon the 'Development Matters' criteria and children's achievements are observed sensitively and evaluated effectively to identify the next steps in learning. Regular discussion with parents keeps them very well- This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 informed of their child's development and children progress extremely well with very high levels of achievement in relation to their age and stage of development. The childminder is working in an effective manner to narrow the achievement gap,

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and outcomes for children

taking account of different learning styles and using these to support individual development.

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and outcomes for children

Children stay safe because they are involved in regular fire drills, learn about home safety and stay safe near roads through the Green Cross Code. The childminder enthusiastically uses resources from the London Traffic Club to support children's understanding of road safety. Children are actively involved in decision making for healthy eating and snack planning. Visual aids enable the children to be aware of the need to wash their hands regularly. Children demonstrate good manners, politeness and respect for others. They respond positively to the expectations of adults, and make choices and decisions. Children develop skills for the future as they explore other cultures, develop an awareness of disabilities, similarities and differences, and their own cultural heritage. Role play and other activities help them develop their number, reading and writing skills through play, with adult guidance as necessary.

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and outcomes for children

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 1 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 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 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 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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