Childminder in West Berkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY397566 Inspection date 25/01/2010 Inspector Mandy Gannon

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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 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.

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

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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

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and 15 month old child in Kintbury, near Hungerford. There are shops, toddler groups and parks within a short distance. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding with sleep facilities available on the first floor. There is a enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and of these a maximum of two children may be in the early years age group. She currently minds three children on a part time basis, all of whom are in the early years age group. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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

Children are cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming family home, where they are able to access a suitable range of activities, both inside and outside which ensures children make good progress in their learning and development. Children benefit as the childminder is aware of their individual needs and values the uniqueness of each child. Children develop positive relationships with the childminder and others. Children are effectively supported and enjoy their time at the setting. The childminder has a positive attitude to continually improving and has identified most areas for further development.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing and review the assessment prior to embarking on each specific outing ( Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 08/02/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out regular evacuation drills with all children and record in a fire logbook any problems encountered and how they were resolved  maintain a regular two-way flow of information to develop effective links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to enable all children to benefit from a collaborative approach to their learning and development This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded. The childminder implements policies and procedures to promote children's welfare and safety, which she shares with parents and carers. The childminder promotes children's safety as she is vigilant and ensures any potential hazards are minimised. The childminder completes daily checks around the property to ensure effective measures are in place. Regular risk assessments are completed for inside the property, taking children out in the car and the garden. However, risk assessments for each type of outing are not in place, this is a breach of regulations for safeguarding and promoting children's welfare. Children are protected as the childminder has an accurate view of child protection, which includes the recognising of symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow.

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the early years provision

Children benefit as the childminder develops a strong relationship with parents and carers, in order to ensure that she has an accurate understanding of their individual needs. The childminder values regular communication with parents who contribute to their child's learning and development requirements. However, the childminder has not yet put systems in place to develop effective links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage. To ensure they all work together to ensure the child reaches their full potential, this is a breach in regulation.

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the early years provision

Children are able to access a suitable range of toys and resources, promoting children's independence as they self-select and make choices. The environment is well laid out to enable children to explore, meeting children's individual needs and is conducive to learning. The childminder ensures that activities are adapted and differentiated in order to include all children. Children develop a positive attitude to others as they develop an awareness of others needs. Children benefit as they have regular opportunities to mix with others as they socialise in the local community.

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the early years provision

The childminder is motivated and committed to developing her provision. She has begun to evaluate her practice and has begun to identify areas for further improvement and development. The well organised setting ensures that the setting is successful and children are provided with good quality care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, settled and interested. Children relate well to the childminder, for example, some children who have only attended a couple of times previously are upset by my arrival; they were immediately comforted by the childminder and then got actively involved in activities. The children are also developing their relationships with others, happily playing alongside and being kind to one another. They are developing an understanding of accepted behaviour as the childminder explains in a calm manner. Children demonstrate they feel safe, secure and well supported in a setting where their individual needs are valued. Children confidently explore the surroundings and are happy to leave the childminder's side. Babies This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 demonstrate they feel safe and secure as they snuggle into the childminder when they are tired, then lie straight down in their cot and go to sleep. The setting is

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and outcomes for children

well organised and the childminder is vigilant with the majority of safety measures in place; although some children have not practised the evacuation procedure.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted as they have balanced, nutritious healthy meals and snacks. The childminder is aware of dietary requirements and meets individual needs. Children benefit from having access to fresh drinking water and the childminder ensures that children drink frequently to prevent dehydration. Effective hygiene practices are in place with robust nappy changing procedures, hand washing and good quality hygiene maintained throughout the premises. Children have their own individual towels to minimise cross infection and the childminder is aware to be vigilant as babies try to share cups. Children benefit as they have regular opportunities for physical play in all weathers. They are developing an understanding of physical play and fresh air contributing to a healthy lifestyle, as they play in the garden and go on walks.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy looking at books which are suitable for their age and stage of development. They choose a favourite which they look at together and discuss with the childminder. Children benefit as the childminder takes an active interest in what they have to say. She promotes their self esteem by offering lots of praise and encouragement and asks them questions to make them think and extend their language. Children are encouraged to participate; as the childminder responds to a baby babbling and repeats the sounds they make, the baby responds and imitates. Children enjoy music and respond enthusiastically bouncing along to the rhythm. 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 2 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

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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 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

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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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