Childminder in Windsor and MaidenheadOfsted inspection, 28 Sept 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY406113 Inspection date 28/09/2010 Inspector Jo Graham

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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 registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her parents and two teenage siblings in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The childminder's mother is also a registered childminder and they work in partnership. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding, and there are toilet facilities on this level with sleep facilities provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a dog and guinea pig.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range whilst working alone. When working with her co-childminder, she is registered to care for a maximum of eight children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than six may be in the early years age range . She is currently minding six children in the early years age group when working with her co-childminder. She also offers care to children aged eight years to 11 years. The childminder walks/drives to schools and nurseries to take and collect children. She attends local parent/toddler groups and takes children to the local library and parks. The childminder holds an NVQ 2 in Childcare.

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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 welcomes children into the setting and recognises their uniqueness. Written policies and procedures, and working closely with the co- childminder, all support the childminder in her practical work. Communication with parents is adequate but does not always enable the childminder to establish children's exact attendance. Consequently ratios are not maintained on occasions and this breaches her conditions of registration. The childminder ensures she provides a varied, learning environment for children to explore and develop their skills.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide evidence of how ratios are always maintained when working alone, especially when the co- childminder is dropping off and collecting children from nursery and school. 08/10/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 ensure the observation process is being fully implemented for all the children and used to inform planning for children's next steps to learning  develop skills to discuss organisational processes with parents to ensure attendance times are clarified

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection procedures if she has concerns about a child in her care. She has attended safeguarding training to increase her understanding and knowledge of signs and symptoms of abuse. The childminder identifies potential hazards to children and minimises these through completing a risk assessment, implementing house rules and having suitable safety measures, such as stair gates and smoke detectors. The childminder protects the children from potential risks and harm through good maintenance of documentation, although ratios are not always maintained due to mismanagement of organising children's attendance.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive attitude to self-evaluation. She is beginning to review and monitor her practice, helping her to identify her strengths and some areas to develop. She works closely with her co-childminder for support and advice. The childminder holds a first aid certificate and the first aid box is easily accessible. She has a clear understanding of the requirements to accurately record accidents and administered medication, and ensures these records are maintained accurately and signed by parents.

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the early years provision

Developmentally appropriate toys and resources are easily accessible to the children, and they self-select with confidence. Children are busily occupied and the childminder responds positively to their interests. Children develop an understanding of the wider world, by accessing resources which depict positive images and visiting local places of interest. The children especially enjoy weekly story times at the library, and exchanging their books there.

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the early years provision

Relationships with parents are adequate. The childminder is increasing her skills to enhance communication and recognises this is an area to develop, especially when organising attendance times for children. She completes written weekly diaries about children's routines and she shares information about their day when she has contact with the parents. Systems are in place to develop relationships with other early years settings that the children attend, and the childminder regularly discuses the child's progress with staff when she collects them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has an emergent understanding of children's developmental milestones, and plans activities which help children to succeed and move their learning forward. For example, she holds one child's hands to help the child "walk" across the room to practise these skills. The childminder praises children regularly for their efforts and achievements, boosting their self-esteem and confidence well. The childminder is beginning to complete narrative observations for the attending children. and is developing her practice in how to link these to the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. Systems to use the observations to inform children's next developmental steps are in their infancy, although the childminder demonstrates she is aware of these developmental milestones through her attentiveness.

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and outcomes for children

Children are building up good relationships with their peers and the childminder, approaching her confidently to share in their achievements and for cuddles. The childminder responds well to babies and younger children's gestures and noises, contributing to their language development and communication skills. She is considerate and caring, ensuring children are fully engaged and enjoying their time in the setting. She helps to foster children's curiosity by providing a clean, child- friendly enabling environment. The childminder is aware of the children's family context and talks about their home life and family members, which helps children to feel a sense of belonging.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is good and consistently managed. Gentle and sensitive reinforcements remind the younger children about respecting one another, and help to develop sharing skills. The childminder is a good role model and treats the children with respect. Children adopt good hygiene practices. They wash their hands before and after eating, and sit down to have meals. Children eat at regular intervals and sit at the table to consume their meals and snacks. This is a lively occasion where children develop good social skills. Drinks are freely accessible and the childminder encourages the children to drink these regularly. 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 3 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 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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