Childminder in Bracknell Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY404971 Inspection date 12/10/2010 Inspector Lynne Lewington

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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 assesses 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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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 2010. She is currently registered on the Early Years Register and the both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and child in Sandhurst, Berkshire. The childminder uses most areas of the downstairs for childminding, with toilet facilities available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks/drives to schools and nurseries to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler groups and children's activities and takes children to the local library and parks.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare register to care for a maximum of five children under eight years, two may be in the early years age range. Currently there are two early years children on roll.

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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

Overall the provision is good. Children experience a secure loving and happy play environment where good care is taken to meet their individual needs. They experience a range of activities in a clean and well maintained environment and visit many activities in the local community. Good care is taken to ensure all the requirements of registration are met effectively and detailed information about the service offered, and the activities they experience is available for parents. The childminder is enthusiastic and realistic in her assessment of her service. She has a commitment to developing her knowledge and skills, has attended training opportunities and intends to undertake more training indicating the service will continue to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop awareness of development to build self confidence in managing behaviour  develop self evaluation skills to consider all aspects of the service offered and aid future development

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the early years provision

A comprehensive risk assessment of the premises and outings helps to ensure the children are cared for in a safe environment. Daily checks undertaken by the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder help ensure any potential hazards are managed appropriately. For example safety gates prevent children going up the stairs or into the kitchen area. A fire evacuation plan is in place and has been practised to ensure the premises can be swiftly evacuated in an emergency. A safeguarding children policy is given along with other policies to all parents when their child joins the setting. The policy clearly informs parents of the childminders role in child protection. The childminder demonstrates an awareness of the signs and symptoms that would give her concern and has attended child protection training.

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the early years provision

The premises are clean and well maintained, providing an attractive environment for the children's care and play. Good use is made of the space available. The children use the lounge, hallway and conservatory for their play enabling them to move freely around. Children sleep in clean comfortable travel cots in the conservatory, where the childminder can see them easily and check they are comfortable. Children have easy access to a range of age appropriate good quality toys enabling them to make choices. The toy boxes are rotated by the childminder ensuring the children have variety in their play.

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the early years provision

The childminder has given some thought to her service and gathered comments from parents which help to inform her self evaluation. She has identified accurately some strengths and areas for further development verbally. However currently the self evaluation does not examine in depth all aspects of the service offered. The childminder has taken positive steps to improve aspects and her knowledge. For example, she has attended a workshop about observations and development records. The knowledge gained from this is clearly evident in the good quality records of progress she maintains. Consequently she is keen to undertake further training opportunities to further enhance her skills and knowledge.

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the early years provision

Parents comment very favourably on the good quality service the childminder provides. She is warm and welcoming and provides the parents with a daily diary of information about the child's day in addition to face to face contact. Photographs and text messages also help parents to feel confident and happy with the service offered. Good care is taken when children join the setting to gather detailed information about the child, their interests and abilities to enable the childminder to fully understand their needs. A regular newsletter is provided for parents explaining activities and outings planned for the children with additional information about relevant matters. This helps parents to feel well informed and also ensure their children are prepared for the events they will undertake. For example, wearing appropriate clothes to go for a walk or play with messy activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the importance of developing positive relationships with others involved with the children for example pre-schools and other childminders. She welcomes the opportunities to undertake training opportunities and makes good use of the activities in her local community for young children.

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the early years provision

Every child is recognised as an individual with differing needs. The childminder gathers good quality information from parents, she observes the children and adapts to meet their needs. Children meet many people in the local community as they attend a range of activities; this enables them to develop an awareness and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 acceptance of differences. Toys, puzzles and books available to the children reflect our diverse society in a positive way.

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the early years provision

The childminder maintains all the required documentation to meet the requirements of her registration well. She is organised, recognises the importance of confidentiality and is fully aware of the incidents or changes she would need to inform Ofsted about.

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and outcomes for children

Children's good health is encouraged in many ways in this setting. Sensible routines to the day enable the very young children to feel confident and secure in the childminders care. The childminder recognises the children benefit from having a short sleep and ensures the children have time for this in between their many activities. Children settle easily to sleep in their travel cots and wake refreshed and ready to play.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy healthy nutritious freshly cooked meals each day. The childminder is very conscious of trying to provide the children with a broad variety of tastes and textures enabling them to enjoy their food and benefit from a healthy diet. For example, a lunch may be chicken with broccoli and cauliflower cheese followed by fruit. Snacks of fruit, dried apple and sultanas are enjoyed by the children and they have easy access to water as they play. The childminder actively encourages the children to have a drink to prevent dehydration. Everyday they go out to local activities or visit the park where they have opportunities to run, use play equipment to develop their physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is patient and attentive to a child who appears unwell and recognises the need to contact parents when she is concerned. Clear policies are in place informing parents about sickness and the procedures to prevent the spread of infections.

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and outcomes for children

Young children's confidence and happiness in the setting indicate they feel safe and secure. The very young children develop their awareness of safe behaviours through the example of the childminder. She encourages them not to climb on the furniture and explains why as she moves them. Children respond to the childminders reminders to walk and not climb. They have opportunities to experience the fire drill and learn how to leave the premises quickly with the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to use good manners, to share and be kind to each other. They learn these skills as they play together taking turns, and developing an awareness of right from wrong. The childminder is a good example to the children as she is calm and gentle in her actions. However, although she manages behaviour well she is not confident in this aspect of her work. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children explore the play environment confidently. All the areas of learning are covered by the children's experiences. They stack bricks and examine them closely looking at the markings and turning the shapes in their hands, developing their sense of size, shape and position. They use puzzles with encouragement and help from the childminder. The young children enjoy sturdy board books, turning the pages and naming the creatures they can see. The childminder sits on the floor

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and outcomes for children

with the children and they snuggle closely to enjoy a story developing their awareness of language as they follow the pictures and point to things they recognise and know. Children enjoy messy activities at groups the childminder attends and in the home. They use dough and experiment with tactile experiences such as corn flour and jelly. They listen and dance to songs and enjoy a singing and music activity they attend. Opportunities to meet with other young children and their carers at activities and the park enable the children to develop their social skills in friendly child centred environment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder recognises she is building her knowledge of development and how children learn. She is developing a variety of tactile experiences for them using natural materials instead of plastic toys. Her simple observations of the children supported by photographs provide clear evidence of children's activity and are linked to development records indicating clearly the progress children are making. These help the childminder to provide further experiences to encourage and consolidate 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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