Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY392191 Inspection date 12/10/2009 Inspector Ann Hilary Guy

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 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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

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 2009. She lives with her husband, and two children aged six and three years old, in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole house for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have no pets.

p.4

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 four children at any one time, and is currently minding one child under five. The childminder can take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in this family home, cared for by a childminder who devotes much time and attention to their individual needs. Clear risk assessments ensure the children's safety at all times both inside the house and when away from it. A suitable range of both adult-led and child-led activities to offer challenge and stimulation enable the children to progress in all developmental areas. Each child has a personal learning journey where their observations are recorded together with ideas for future planning covering most areas and aspects of learning. Children are fully included in all activities and the childminder constantly reviews her practice to ensure it meets every child's needs.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 continue to develop the children’s learning journey to show their progress in all aspects and areas of learning  further develop the child protection policy to ensure it is in line with the current local authority and national documentation, especially with regard to discussions with parents.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of safeguarding and promoting the children's welfare, with suitable policies in place to reflect this, although her policy on child protection requires some amendments. She has a clear and comprehensive system for risk assessments covering all areas of the house and regular outings, ensuring the safety of the children at all times. All other paperwork and documentation is in place and positively supports the care offered. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 All children have a learning journey, together with a daily diary that parents as well as the childminder complete, giving a clear record of how the child has been each day. The learning journey contains examples of the children's play through photographs and observations. It starts with their 'All about me' form and initial observations made by the childminder during the first few days to ascertain the

p.4

the early years provision

child’s developmental starting point in all areas of learning. Plans are then made to further develop the child's skills, knowledge and understanding, with some observations, although these do not cover all areas and aspects of learning.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder reviews her paperwork and provision to ensure it meets the individual needs of the children and families for whom she is working. Inclusive practice is actively promoted with children learning to share from a young age and the childminder making suitable adaptations to activities to enable children of all ages to take part. The childminder has a good range of dressing up clothes, books and equipment to reflect the multicultural environment where she lives. She responds positively to children's questions and queries using language appropriate to their level of understanding and helping them understand all people are different.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has developed a good relationship with the parents and is always available to discuss any issues with them. A recent parent questionnaire highlighted the good relationship between them and recognised the good quality of care the children receive. The parents appreciate the daily discussions as well as the opportunity to read the daily diary and see their child's learning journey. The childminder has not yet developed partnerships with any other professionals as none are currently involved in the care of the children in her care. She demonstrates a good understanding of how and why she will be putting this is in place as soon as the children start pre-school.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in this friendly home environment. They have a suitable range of resources for both the garden and inside the house. Toys inside are stored in readily accessible containers for the children to self-select and are rotated regularly. The childminder plans one adult-led activity each day. A large box containing oats, spoons and saucepans was set out on a mat in the lounge. The children had great fun stirring the oats and moving them between the pans. Plates were then added to the activity for children to serve the oats. The childminder encouraged the children to tell her what the oats felt and looked like and supported them throughout their play.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder is never far away from the children, ensuring their safety and helping develop their knowledge and understanding through positive conversation and play. She fully understands the children's limited concentration times and uses her skills to encourage them to develop these as well as providing a wide range of activities for them to self-select. One minded child particularly enjoys playing with a ball and so the childminder aims to have one ready as soon as the family arrive to make the separation from his parents very positive. Children especially enjoy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 playing in the garden where there is a very good range of play equipment including a large climbing frame, swing and trampoline. Permission is sought from the parents to enable children to use the equipment and the childminder is very careful to ensure she is close to the climbing frame and trampoline when children

p.5

and outcomes for children

are using them, teaching them how to use the equipment safely. Using spades, the children looked under stones and shrubs in the garden for mini-beasts and showed great excitement when they had found some.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Although the childminder has only been minding for a short time, she is experienced in working with children as a nanny and has a good knowledge and understanding of child development. The learning journeys in place for the children reflect this knowledge with clear observations identifying what the next steps of development are for each child and using these to plan future activities. The childminder intends to have observations covering all areas of the curriculum but this is not yet in place.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being is positively promoted through good daily routines and hygiene practices. The childminder encourages children to become as independent as possible and teaches them about safety and safe practices. She promotes positive behaviour management and has found this extremely effective with the children. Children have access mainly to the ground floor with sleep facilities and accompanied play on the first floor. They have access to the fully enclosed garden through the kitchen. The childminder is happy to provide food for the children and demonstrates a good understanding of a suitable nutritional diet. Each child has a five-a-day chart on which they add a sticker each time they eat a piece of fruit or vegetable at either snack or lunch time. The childminder is happy to amend the menu to meet the individual dietary needs of the children in consultation with their parents. The positive interaction between the children, their

p.6

and outcomes for children

parents and the childminder ensures the children are well cared for and their individual needs met. 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 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

p.7

Stage

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

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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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