Childminder in Wokingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY400727 Inspection date 18/05/2010 Inspector Sheena Bankier

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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 registered in 2009. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to provide care for five children under eight at any one time of which two may be in the early years age group. There are currently two children on roll in the early years age group. Children attend on a full-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and two children in Shinfield near Reading. The downstairs of the home is mostly used for childminding with access to the first floor for sleeping facilities, if required. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family have two pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

Local facilities such as parks, schools and shops are within walking or a short driving distance. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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 enjoy a good range of play experiences, activities and outings to support and extend their development well. Effective systems promote children's safety and most procedures fully ensure children's good health and wellbeing. The childminder has begun to evaluate her service and values the views and opinions of parents’ and children. This enables her to take positive steps to promote continuous improvement. Good communication and information result in successful partnerships with parents. The childminder recognises the importance of promoting good partnerships with others involved in children's care.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain written parental permission to seek any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment for children. 01/06/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 review hygiene procedures to promote the good health of the children.  review and further develop self-evaluation to identify future improvements. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her responsibilities to children's welfare. She has a very secure understanding of potential signs and symptoms of abuse and the procedures to follow in the event of any concerns. The childminder has a good range of documentation to refer to, such as, local procedures. This provides clear information to support her in the event of concerns. Effective risk assessments for the home, garden and outings fully promote children's safety. Children wear safety bracelets with the childminder's contact details on while out and there is a written procedure in the event of children becoming lost. Children demonstrate how to keep themselves safe, for example, holding onto the buggy while out. The childminder's home is very clean and well maintained. Overall, good procedures effectively promote children’s health and wellbeing, such as, regular hand washing routines. Occasionally there is a

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the early years provision

potential risk of cross infection, for example, when a plate drops onto the floor at snack time and then used.

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the early years provision

Continuous improvement is good. In the short time the childminder has been caring for children she has taken some positive steps to evaluate her service and practice. She seeks parents and children's views through discussions and considers their ideas well. The childminder is proactive in seeking out information to support her in providing interesting and stimulating activities, such as using the internet. She is keen to extend her knowledge and understanding through further training. This will provide further support to her good practice and benefit the children and families who use her service.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses her time effectively, enabling children to benefit from individual care and attention. A good range of local facilities are accessed on a regular basis, such as parks and toddler groups. Children feel valued and included at the childminder's home. They develop a good sense of belonging, for example, their artwork is on display and the childminder has made a book of photographs of their activities and outings, for children to look at and discuss. She treats all children fairly and equally and children benefit from equal access to the good range of resources.

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the early years provision

The childminder works in good partnership with parents. Parents’ have access to a full range of written policies and procedures. The childminder obtains a wide range of consents such as suncream application, outings and photographs. There is currently no written consent in place from parents' for the childminder to seek emergency advice or treatment for children. This is a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). A 'two way' diary enables parents' and the childminder to effectively exchange information such as development progress, care needs and activities. As a result, there is continuity and consistency in meeting children's needs and this keeps parents fully informed. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They benefit from good relationships with the childminder and her family. Children feel secure and at ease with the childminder, for example, younger children crawl to her for a cuddle and older children chat happily to her. Children have consistent routines and boundaries. This enables them to understand the expectations of behaviour. The childminder provides clear explanations to promote children's understanding of right and wrong. Older children are learning to use good manners, such as ‘please’ and ‘thank you’. Discussions raise children's awareness of the safety of themselves and others, such as walking indoors. Children take part in regular evacuation practice and the childminder keeps a record of how children respond. This enables her to provide further support to children, for example, providing a toy fire engine for children to learn through play experiences.

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and outcomes for children

Regular visits to toddler groups in the local community enable children to develop and extend their social skills within a larger group. This also enables children to interact with adults and children from a wide range of different backgrounds. At the childminding home, there are appropriate resources to promote children's understanding of the diverse society, such as a welcome poster, small world figures and books. This promotes their acceptance and understanding of people different to themselves. Children enjoy social snack and meal times sitting around the table together. The childminder provides healthy options, for example, fruit and breadsticks. Drinks of water are always available to children. The childminder regularly reminds children that their drinks are available and offers these to the younger children at regular intervals. This means children drink sufficient quantities to meet their needs and to ensure their wellbeing. Children benefit from regular

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and outcomes for children

fresh air and physical activity. Indoor push along and small ride on toys support children in developing their physical skills. Children enjoy using the garden and local parks. This ensures children have access to a wide range of play equipment to extend their physical skills and confidence in their abilities.

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and outcomes for children

Picture cards promote meaning in both print and symbol. The childminder uses these effectively to support children's communication and extend their learning. Number cards very soundly promote children's good understanding of number and counting, as they match the corresponding cards. The childminder uses every day opportunities extremely well to extend children's learning, such as, identifying the colour of plates and counting pieces of fruit before eating them and then counting them again. As a result, children learn to identify colours, add and subtract. Children develop good skills for the future through the activities, play experiences and outings. The childminder actively encourages children's independent skills to support them in transitions, for example, pulling up their own clothing when using the toilet and putting on their shoes. As a result, this prepares children well for attending other settings, such as preschools.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy and benefit from sensory experiences. Children concentrate well. They maintain their interest in creative activities, as they mark make or decorate with glue and collage materials. Younger children watch the older children gluing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and sticking cotton wool and the childminder gently tickles the younger children with cotton wool. This includes the younger children in the activity appropriately and provides a sensory experience for children to explore and enjoy. Children have fun investigating cornflour, which they fully explore by mark making, feeling and squeezing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a good range of child initiated and adult led activities to support children's learning and development well. Themes, such as a farm topic, link learning experiences well. The childminder provides a range of resources and activities relating to the topic, which promote children's learning; leading to a visit to a farm park. This extends children's knowledge of the world around them. The childminder maintains good records of children's progress and achievements. These clearly link to the early learning goals and Early Years Foundation Stage and identify children's next steps of learning. As a result, children's learning and development is fully secure. Parents contribute their understanding of how their children are progressing to the records. This enables the parents' and children to work together consistently to extend and promote children's learning. 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 2 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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