Home Childcarer in Windsor and Maidenhead

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 159846 Inspection date 28/01/2010 Inspector Jill Milton

p.1

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 0300 123 1231, 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.

p.1

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

p.2

T: 0300 123 1231 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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2001. She lives with her partner and their two children in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The home is within easy travelling distance of local schools, pre-schools and parks. Childminding takes place mainly on the ground floor of the house with upstairs only used for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play and the family have a dog.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Her registration permits her to care for up to six children under eight years at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age range. She currently cares for five children in the early years age range and one older child.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a pleasant and safe place to play and rest. She is knowledgeable about the children in her care, aware of their unique abilities and needs. The childminder takes on board new guidance and adapts her work to meet legal requirements competently. She is motivated to progress with her personal development and makes good use of local training opportunities and advice. The childminder successfully promotes children's learning and development. She builds up effective and long-lasting partnerships with parents, providing children with continuity of care over many years.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 extend the opportunities for children to use the garden for play and learning practise emergency evacuation of the home with the children to increase their awareness of safety

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a strong understanding in the area of child protection. She regularly updates her knowledge of this aspect of working with children and keeps reference materials accessible, should she need to refer to them. The childminder has a link on-line with her local authority to receive any new guidance that becomes available. Children play in a safe environment and the childminder is starting to record her risk assessments in writing, as required by current legislation. She acts on advice, for example from the last inspection, to improve home safety by cordoning off the open staircase and ensuring there are smoke alarms on each level of the house. The childminder has a sensible evacuation plan This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in place, though does not practise this with the children to extend their awareness of safety.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder provides children with a varied week of activities, ensuring a good balance between outings and time for play at home. She ensures the home is well organised to provide open play areas downstairs and child-sized furniture so young children gain the most from their activities. The childminder provides children with a broad range of resources so that they can progress with their development and follow their own interests. The childminder is keen to further her training and is progressing towards a level three qualification. She attends short courses in useful areas, such as food hygiene and the implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage. This positive attitude to improvement benefits the children since it renews the childminder's enthusiasm for her work. The childminder forges good links with local schools, where she collects children, so that she is able to contribute to their

p.5

the early years provision

continuity of care through the day. She also establishes effective partnerships with parents. There are a clear set of policies reflecting her day-to-day procedures. She finds new and quick ways of communicating with families, such as by text messages.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and occupied at play whilst at the childminder's home. They take an active role in deciding what they would like to do and are not short of ideas from the pleasant selection of activities. The children take part in many outings to venues that support their development and awareness of the local community. The childminder makes the most of drop-in groups and attractions, such as parks, to help the children's social development and experiences. These visits also help children develop understanding of the wider world and they celebrate events like Halloween through stories and activities at the local library. Children play with books and toys at the childminder's home that present positive images of diversity. They look at books that relate to current events in their lives like starting at pre-school. Children are developing good social skills as they learn to share and the childminder has realistic expectations of their behaviour.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children use words like 'please' when requesting snacks and sit down to eat and drink at a little table. Children are gaining helpful messages about healthy eating, they ask for fresh fruit and other meals on offer during the day are nutritious. The childminder instils good hygiene routines, for example, following visits to the bathroom. With new first aid supplies and a valid first aid qualification, the childminder is well prepared to protect children's health. She ensures good communication with the children's parents so she can obtain emergency medical treatment and keeps parents well informed of occasional accidents. Children are regularly taking part in active play. Although opportunities for play and learning in the garden are a little limited for now, the childminder does ensure children visit parks and local amenities to encourage energetic play. When children see photographs of themselves climbing on balance beams they are keen to request

p.5

and outcomes for children

another visit to their favourite venues. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children learn about safety and comfort in the home as they tidy away activities before bringing out new ones. They are learning about the wider issues of the environment, when older children help the childminder sort items for recycling. Children play imaginatively with a broad range of toys and they enjoy sensory play, for example, when making collages from coloured rice. A colourful selection of play dough is very popular and children work with rollers and cutters to make shapes. The childminder also offers them cooking activities from time to time. Children are developing good co-ordination as they use toys based on technology, puzzles and construction bricks. This contributes to developing the early skills that may be useful in their future lives and supports their first steps in mathematics and

p.5

and outcomes for children

literacy. The childminder collects examples of the children's artwork and she is gaining in confidence at linking activities to areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She builds scrapbooks to provide a keepsake record that is shared with parents to show how the children are progressing. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 2 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8