Childminder in Bracknell Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY397686 Inspection date 02/03/2010 Inspector Joanne Graham

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 has been registered since 2009. She lives with her husband and four children in Wokingham, Berkshire. The house is situated within walking distance of local shops and amenities. The annex part of the house is solely used for childminding during the childminding day and is accessed on street level. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. There are local parks close by. The family have a two rabbits and fish in a tank.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time and of these three children may be in the early years age group. She occasionally works with her daughter as an assistant. She is registered on the Early Years register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder currently cares for three children in the early years age group and two children after school who are in the older age group. She regularly attends local childminding/toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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 uses the self-evaluation process to monitor and evaluate her practice. She has a positive attitude to develop her skills and to provide a high quality service. The partnership with parents contributes to meeting children's welfare needs. All mandatory documentation is well maintained and securely stored. This promotes children’s well-being. Children access a wide range of good quality toys and equipment, which are suitable for their age and stage of development.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop current observation system to include more specific details of early learning goals and links to the six areas of learning  improve relationships with other early years settings children attend to promote continuity of care and learning ensuring their individual needs are met

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder completes written risk assessments and daily checks to ensure she minimises potential risks to children indoors, outside and when on outings. House rules are sensitively managed to reinforce good safety practices. For example, the children know not to leave the premises until the childminder says to and they wait This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the drive before being fastened into their car seats. The children practise emergency evacuation procedures regularly to help keep them safe. The childminder has a secure understanding of signs and symptoms of abuse and is competent with the procedures to follow if she has a concern about a child in her care. Parents are given a copy of her safeguarding procedures prior to their child starting, to make them aware of her responsibilities.

p.4

the early years provision

The self-evaluation system identifies the childminder’s training needs and she has implemented attending suitable courses to increase her understanding, especially with regards to completing written observations. The childminder knows the children well and is aware of their likes and dislikes. She knows family context and talks to the children about the people that are important to them. The use of resources, such as the world map displayed and the welcome poster, as well as regular visits to local places of interest, help children to develop an understanding of the wider world. The childminder organises her setting well. She maintains ratios at all times and ensures her certificates of registration and first aid are clearly visible to parents.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and adapts activities to promote inclusion. The enabling environment supports children to make informed choices about what to play with and when. The childminder takes photographs of the children completing tasks and places these in individual albums for the children to view. They really enjoy sharing the experiences with the childminder, recalling these and talking about them with enthusiasm. The childminder ensures she develops good relationships with parents and keeps them informed about their child’s day and progress using a variety of methods. She maintains day books, produces newsletters every three months, updates the notice board with details of weekly plans and partakes in regular texts and phone calls. This contributes to parents feeling a part of their child’s experiences. Relationships with other early years settings are adequate and regular verbal discussions are beginning to

p.5

the early years provision

contribute to the children’s continuity in learning and care needs. However, the current system does not include sharing of developmental achievements to further increase the children’s continual progress.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children confidently approach the childminder for support and comfort. The childminder meets children's emotional needs, which forms the basis of their secure and close relationship. Consequently, the children are self-assured and lively. The childminder is a good role model for the children's behaviour and she shows them courtesy and respect. Verbal and physical praise is given for children's efforts and achievements, boosting their self-esteem. The childminder’s practice demonstrates she has a good understanding of children’s developmental stages. She moves their learning forward by encouraging them to think and knowing their interests. The wide range of planned activities expands the children’s experiences and enables them to increase their development further. The childminder utilises the outside learning environment well and the children especially enjoyed making angels in the snow. The photograph of them doing this is displayed in the setting

p.5

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and they proudly talk about it.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder skilfully fosters children’s curiosity and they engage in purposeful play. Through effective questioning, the childminder helps to consolidate children’s learning and moving it forward. She maintains regular written observations about children’s progress within the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, and ensures the children's play experiences and opportunities cover the six areas of learning. However, the current observing and assessing process does not clearly demonstrate specific detail of the early learning goals achieved or how progress is made in all six areas of learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Good hygiene routines are in place and the setting is clean. Children are aware that they need to wash their hands after using the toilet and do so with sensitive encouragement. The childminder stores food supplied by parents appropriately and is aware of children’s dietary needs. Children have opportunities to develop their numeracy skills as this is introduced into every day activities. For example, the childminder encourages the child to count and uses mathematical language whilst building a tower with Duplo blocks. The childminder engages children in simple conversations and responds positively to their requests to sing rhymes. They access written text and participate in mark making activities. This develops skills for their future economic well-being. 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