Childminder in Bracknell Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 119073 Inspection date 14/06/2010 Inspector Anne Jeanette Faithfull

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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 1994. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three adult children in Bracknell, Berkshire. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks and toddler groups. The childminder can take children to and collect them from local schools. The family have two cats, a dog and some fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding with provision for children to sleep on the first floor bedroom. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. Her registration permits her to care for six children under eight years and of these three may be in the early years age range, at any one time, and she is currently minding one child who is within the Early Years Foundation Stage on a full time basis.

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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

The childminder provides a warm, safe and caring environment where all children are valued, included and respected. Children are settled and benefit from the positive interaction they receive from the childminder. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where children are encouraged to explore, play and learn in a confident and secure manner. Consequently children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is committed to on going development and uses her self evaluation effectively to identify areas for future development and improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the observation and assessment system in place to identify children's next steps in their learning and development

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good awareness of how to keep children safe and secure while in her care. She fully understands her roles and responsibilities in relation to child protection and checks have been completed on all other household members to ensure they are suitable to be in regular contact with the children. This ensures that children’s welfare is effectively safeguarded. The childminder’s home is very safe and she maintains well-written records of risk assessments, which cover all areas of the premises and outings taken with the children. The childminder ensures children are beginning to be aware of other safety issues such as, road This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safety and the steps to take in the event of a fire. The childminder creates a stimulating environment for the children, for example, organising toys and resources effectively to enable children to freely access them both inside and

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the early years provision

outside. This helps to promote their independence and decision making skills.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very aware of each child’s individual needs and play preferences and organises her day to meet the needs and routines of each child. The childminder thoroughly enjoys her time with the children and is enthusiastic about the role she plays in their lives. She has a good understanding of her role to promote equality and diversity and provides a range of activities, resources and experiences to enable children to learn about diversity and the wider world. The childminder has attended training on the Early Years Foundation Stage and has implemented a system to observe and assess children to ensure all areas of leaning are identified and to support children to make good progress in their early leaning. However, currently the system in place does not identify children’s individual next steps in learning.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are very well established to ensure all children’s needs are met. There is a good two-way flow of information both verbally and through the daily diaries regarding children’s learning, development and welfare. Parents make many positive comments in their reference and thank you letters for example, how happy and settled their children are and how their child loves to come to the childminder’s. The childminder is aware to establish partnerships with other settings children attend however; currently no children attend any other setting. The childminder evaluates her practice continually, including asking parents to complete a questionnaire and by using the Ofsted self-evaluation form. She continues to attend training provided by the local authority and also accesses on line training to update her knowledge.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed, happy and comfortable in the childminder's home. The childminder’s calm and caring manner helps children to feel settled, confident and secure. The childminder uses her knowledge and experience gained over 16 years as a childminder to provide children with a range of activities and experiences, which are interesting, fun and help to promote their early learning and development effectively. Children experience a good balance between adult-led activities and those that they choose for themselves. The childminder is very aware that children learn through play and ensures children can use all the areas downstairs including the garden and conservatory to participate in activities and experiences. Good use is made of the outdoor area to extend children’s learning for example, they readily make the childminder a pretend cup of tea in the play kitchen outside and have great fun pouring and playing with the water. Children

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and outcomes for children

are aware of how things grow as they plant a range of wild flowers, strawberries and sensory plants such as mint.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder effectively uses every opportunity to encourage the children’s early development such as asking them to name the colours of the cups they are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 using. Children are beginning to be aware of recycling issues for example, they help to put the different coloured plastic bottles into the correct containers when they are at the toddlers. Children are given many opportunities to be creative, such as sticking a variety of rockets onto paper and using a range of art and craft materials. Children's early sensory and communication skills are encouraged as the childminder makes a range of different boxes containing items the children feel or have to describe and identify to her.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy snuggling up for a story with the childminder who asks them questions about the book for example, getting them to make the noise of the different animals in the story. Children behave well, they show care and concern. They know what is expected through familiar routines, house rules and explanations. The childminder provides a good role model to the children and she readily offers praise and encouragement when appropriate, for example when a child is beginning to peddle the bike on their own. She constantly praises their achievements no matter how great or small, helping to promote children’s self- esteem. Children have many opportunities to socialise with others in the community as the childminder regularly attends toddler groups and outings with other childminders in the area. Children thoroughly enjoy visits to the local garden centre where they look at the different animals and they regularly walk the dog

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and outcomes for children

with the childminder and talk about the other animals such as, the cows that they can see in the fields. Children are encouraged to think of the different lives of others and celebrate family events, festivals and birthdays.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about personal hygiene and are aware of the hygiene routines in place, such as washing their hands before snacks. Snacks provided for the children are healthy and nutritious and meet their individual dietary requirements. Children are able to sleep rest or relax when they require and they have daily opportunities to access fresh air and exercise for example, going on walks, rolling down a small grass hill and playing in the garden on a variety of resources. Children are beginning to be aware of safety issues, such as the childminder reminds them why they have to wear their shoes when they are playing outside in the garden. 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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