Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY395621 Inspection date 11/02/2010 Inspector Sonjia Nicholson

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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 their three children aged 17, seven and four years. They live in a house in Butlers Cross, near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire. Children have use of all rooms on the ground floor with toilet and sleeping facilities situated on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play with separate areas for the family dog and chickens. The family also have a hamster. There is a play park within walking distance of the childminder's home and all other amenities are a short car drive away. The childminder takes children to and collect them from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for four children under eight years, two of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently six children on roll, two of whom are within the early years age range, three in the older age range and one aged over eight years. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds the Diploma in Pre-School Practice.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children play in a welcoming family home where the childminder recognises their individual needs. She works well with parents to support children, for example, to ensure their dietary needs are met and behaviour is managed in a consistent way. The childminder has a number of policies and procedures in place to ensure children remain safe, secure and healthy at all times. Several children in the early years age range attend on a regular basis but the time spent with the childminder is rather limited, therefore, she has had little opportunity as yet to implement some aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, she shows a good commitment to improving her service, for example, she has purchased some new toys that reflect diversity since her registration visit so children begin to recognise differences and has attended several courses to increase her knowledge of how to complete risk assessments, promote positive behaviour and make observations.

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further?

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

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further?

 practise the evacuation drill on a regular basis so children know how to leave the home quickly and safely and maintain a record for future reference  begin to make assessments of each child's achievements and use observations to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children remain safe in the childminder's care as she has carefully considered all the potential hazards within the home and garden and recorded these onto detailed risk assessment documents along with the action taken to minimise the risk. She has also completed these for a wide range of outings and thought about children's safety in relation to contact with her dog. The childminder has devised written policies and procedures relating to most areas of her business but does not have a 'lost child' policy which is a requirement of the Childcare Register. She has a satisfactory understanding of how to safeguard children but has failed to inform Ofsted of changes to members of the household, however, as the family member has left the home there is no impact on the care of the children. The childminder is familiar with the types and signs of abuse and knows who to contact if she has concerns about a child. Children have discussed the evacuation drill with the

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the early years provision

childminder but they have yet to practise it so they know how to leave the home quickly and safely in the event of a fire. The childminder has completed a self- evaluation form online which clearly identifies areas for development which focus mainly on attending relevant training courses to extend her knowledge.

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the early years provision

One of the childminder's main strengths is the relationship she develops with parents. She communicates details of the care offered through daily chats and by completing a basic diary. Prospective parents receive a portfolio of information so they know what to expect from the childminder's service. This contains a range of written policies and procedures, some of which need amending to ensure they contain the necessary details. The childminder is keen to seek parents views and has devised a questionnaire which one family has completed so far; she plans to extend this to all parents in the future. Comments received feel the childminder is welcoming and friendly, that the environment is clean, tidy and well-ordered and there is a lot for children to do. They appreciate the childminder's flexibility and opportunities for children to make choices. Although the childminder is known to other Early Years Foundation Stage providers, she has yet to develop this

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the early years provision

relationship and share information about children's learning and development so that they receive a coherent learning experience. Children have a spacious environment in which to play and easy access to a good range of toys and equipment, for example, they enjoy playing with the cars and building with construction equipment. There are ample opportunities for children to play in the garden with a range of toys, such as, a swing, slide and ride-on toys. Children's individual needs are well known by the childminder and she works effectively with parents to ensure children receive care specific to them, for example, she uses real nappies rather than disposable ones at the request of a parent and ensures a child with an allergy does not have food that may harm them.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and appear safe, happy and settled, despite being in her care for only a short time. They are interested in what is going This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on and move confidently around the home independently selecting what they want to do or play with; as a result they demonstrate good concentration, for example, spending a long time building with construction equipment and moving vehicles around the room. The childminder organises a good range of activities throughout the day to keep children busy, for example, they enjoy squeezing, squashing and patting the home-made play dough and using a range of tools to cut and roll it into various shapes. Children are familiar with the daily routine, for example, when the childminder says it is time for a snack they head towards the door as they know they must wash their hands before eating. Children bring their own packed lunch

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and outcomes for children

which the childminder stores appropriately in the fridge so food does not spoil; those cared for before and after school are offered a nourishing breakfast or snack so they are not hungry and drinks are readily available. Children are learning the benefits of physical activity and have ample opportunities to play in the childminder's garden which has a lawn and decked area which can be used all year round. They often visit the local playground where they develop their confidence and skills as they climb, jump and balance on large equipment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder gathers relevant information from parents in order to offer appropriate care and has begun to make some worthwhile observations of what children can do. However, she has yet to use this information to assess their progress or plan activities for individual children. Children are well behaved and respond to the childminder's instructions. They relate well to her involvement in their play which is often at their level on the floor; she helps develop their language skills by chatting freely, asking questions and commenting about what is going on at all times. Children play with a variety of resources that reflect diversity and help them learn about other countries and cultures, such as a globe, dolls and books. Children have celebrated Christmas but so far there has been little opportunity for the childminder to introduce other special events or festivals to further enhance their understanding of the world around them.

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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 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

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Stage

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

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 devise a policy to follow in the event of a child becoming lost. 25/02/2010

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 devise a policy to follow in the event of a child becoming lost. 25/02/2010

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