Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY405461 Inspection date 13/09/2010 Inspector Amanda May

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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 compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age group. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and nine years in Chalfont St Giles, Buckinghamshire. All areas of the childminder's home are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the property is via several steps up to the front door. The childminder takes and collects children from the local schools, and attends the local parent/toddler group.

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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

The childminder is effective in ensuring that children feel comfortable and confident whilst they are in her care. She observes children's interests and uses the findings to help develop activities which she knows that children will enjoy. Children are confident and happy as they attend the setting and are supported in learning about how to keep safe and are developing their awareness of how to keep themselves healthy. The childminder reviews her own practice through accessing relevant training courses and reflecting on the good practice of other providers. This helps her to develop her own provision, promoting a positive impact on the children who attend.

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further?

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

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further?

 organise ways of seeking information from parents about children's starting points in learning to ensure these inform future planning, helping to recognise children's next steps and ways which activities can help children to achieve these  develop ways to support children in their understanding of the wider world through activities and access to resources which depict positive images of different cultures and people with disabilities  ensure relevant information is shared with other early years settings that children attend to promote continuity and coherence in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded due to the childminder's practice and leadership skills. Children enjoy playing and learning in a setting which is safe and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 secure and develop their awareness of safety through discussions with the childminder. The childminder is aware of how she should make a referral if she felt a child was at risk and recognises the need for sharing information with key agencies and other professionals to protect children as and when necessary.

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the early years provision

The childminder has previously discussed basic care needs of children with other early year providers when collecting children from pre-school, although she does not seek information regarding their learning and development plans which would help her to provide activities to support and enhance those learning opportunities promoted elsewhere. Although no children currently attend the setting who have special educational needs, the childminder is aware of the importance of sharing information with other professionals and early years settings to help to ensure their needs are consistently met.

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the early years provision

Plans are in place for the childminder to share information about different cultures and festivals with the children who attend in order to support them learning about the wider world, however this has not yet been implemented. Resources are accessible by all children attending although there are minimal resources which reflect different cultures or those which reflect people with disabilities or who are from different cultures.

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the early years provision

Parents reports that they are very happy with the care and support provided by the childminder, with one parent stating that they would recommend her to other parents 'looking for a warm and engaging environment for their children'. The childminder spends time developing relationships with parents and seeks key information from home concerning children's routines allowing her to know how best to support each child in their individual needs.

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the early years provision

Although the childminder has some ideas of how she plans to support children in their learning, currently she does not seek information from parents regarding what children can already do when they first start at the setting. This means that some activities are not always pitched effectively taking account of each child's previous experiences at home or at other early years provisions.

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the early years provision

The childminder is eager to find ways to further develop her setting and ensure she is meeting all children's care, learning and developmental needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate their confidence and self-esteem as they enjoy a close relationship with the childminder who they seek out for cuddles and to join in their play. The childminder demonstrates her understanding of the importance of letting children time to discover during their activities, and knows when best to allow children to try and work things out without her intervention. To ensure the childminder is aware of children's learning needs and abilities she observes children's play and uses these observations to note down their interests. However, the childminder currently lacks confidence in using these observations to inform This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 future planning and to devise next steps for each child to ensure she able to support them in their progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children who attend the setting are inquisitive and are achieving well in their play. The childminder supports their interests through providing a range of resources and activities to support them and capture their attention. Children show understanding of and comply with daily health care routines and show they generally feel safe when they are in the childminder's care. The childminder has devised a fire safety plan to carry out in an emergency, although this has not yet been shared with older children who attend which would further support their understanding of how to keep themselves safe.

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and outcomes for children

Children's communication skills are supported through very young children being encouraged to ask for items by name, rather than pointing to objects. Children also enjoy opportunities to mark make with colouring pencils and sketching toys. The childminder is keen to support individual children in their interests as they problem solve. They enjoy placing round coasters in a tin, before taking objects and attempting to post them through a small hole in a wicker basket. The childminder recognises children's interests and how these develop, for example from their interest and enjoyment in playing with shape sorters.

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and outcomes for children

Children's hygiene routines are also supported with children developing confidence in making healthy choices as they taste different fruits after washing their hands before a snack. Children are learning about the effects of their behaviour and the childminder supports them in learning social skills such as taking turns.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder presents children with suitable challenges in their activities, such as threading cotton reels on a piece of coloured string. Children persevere as they practice, poking their tongues out in deep concentration as they thread the cotton reel. If children become frustrated, the childminder is quick to adapt the challenge, helping to thread the reel most of the way before allowing the child to pull the string through. This allows children to still feel a sense of achievement. Overall, children are making effective progress in their learning and their care needs are well met. 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 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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 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: 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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