Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY397000 Inspection date 12/08/2010 Inspector Carol Willett

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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 registered in 2009. She lives with her partner and three young children, one of whom is primary school -age. They live in Iver, Buckinghamshire. All rooms are on the ground floor and are used for minding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden area available for outside play and access to the premises is on street level. The family have no pets. The childminder walks to school and pre- schools. Local shops and parks are within walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for two children under eight years and of these one can be in the early years age group at any one time. She regularly attends toddler groups and she is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 feel secure and play happily as the childminder has good childcare skills; she is exuberant, caring and friendly. The childminder understands children's individual needs well and they develop confidently in her warm, nurturing care. The childminder forms good relationships with parents and effective partnerships with other settings which the children attend. She is well organised and has a full range of policies and most documentation is in place. The childminder is keen to continuously develop her knowledge and skills through reflecting on her practice. She identifies areas for improvement and her training needs by completing an online self-evaluation form which helps her improve overall outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips  improve children's opportunities to make independent choices from the range of toys

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the early years provision

Children are protected as the childminder has a secure understanding of her role in protecting children as she closely supervises them. She has attended safeguarding training and is confident in her knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse. She is committed to taking any necessary action to protect children from harm. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is safety conscious and takes positive measures to keep children safe in her home and when out and about. She completes effective daily checks and has written risk assessments for her home and garden though the risk assessment record does not include all outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic about childminding and promotes children's welfare well. She utilises her parenting skills well and has a good knowledge of child development and the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children's learning and development is well supported as she organises her home effectively and provides a wide range of resources, free play and planned activities for the children both inside and outside. This enables them to be challenged, motivated to learn and make choices. The childminder forms good relationships with parents and information is shared well including through daily feedback sheets and her observation diaries. She takes lots of photos of the children at play and develops these into an interesting monthly newsletter. Parents are actively involved in their children's learning as the childminder shares their assessment records and they discuss the children's progress and next steps in learning. She develops effective

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the early years provision

links with other settings children attend to ensure information is shared and promotes consistency in their care. The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of inclusive practice as she knows the children very well and encourages them to be fully involved in all aspects of their play and learning. She uses her IT skills to find out more information to support children's care.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to improve her practice and the outcomes for children. She reflects on her practice and completes the on-line self-evaluation though this is in the early stages. She effectively identifies areas for improvement and books further training workshops, including positive behaviour management and persona dolls and potatoes. The childminder maintains most of the required documentation and she has a suitable range of policies and procedures in place which enables her to manage her service efficiently have a very good knowledge of the children and to effectively promote their welfare and development.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a fun, lively, family environment giving children lots of warm, loving care so they enjoy the day and are happy and secure in her home. She manages the difference in ages well ensuring all children are supported as they play. Children make good progress in their learning because the childminder provides a flexible daily routine with time for planned activities and child-led play. She is well-organised and ensures all children get to school or nursery on time and follow their regular sleep routines. Children enjoy food provided by their parents providing continuity in their diets. The childminder encourages healthy eating routines and meals at regular times with independent access to drinks throughout the day to prevent dehydration. Children enjoy fresh air and exercise, learning about their local community, and healthy lifestyles as they walk to school or the park stopping to look the horses on the way home.

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is committed to providing high quality care and learning. She has good awareness of children's development so is able to plan and provide a wide range of stimulating challenging activities for children to make good progress. The childminder has a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage which she uses well, as she observes and notes children's interest and uses them for planning their next steps in learning. For example, they take apples to feed the horses to develop childrens confidence around larger animals and the childminder provides books from the library to find out more about them. Children learn about nature and sustainability as they plant sweet-corn, leeks and carrots in the garden, carefully planting and watering them as they grow to enjoy in their meals. They enjoy baking, making pancakes and pink play-dough. They are well motivated and

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and outcomes for children

interested in the activities provided. They spend a long time enjoying using tools to increase their physical skills as they roll play-dough and use cutters to make cakes and shapes with it. They count, sort, compare and sing as they play developing awareness of shape, size and quantity.

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and outcomes for children

Children show they feel safe and secure in the childminder's home as they freely move around the maisonette selecting toys from the bedroom and bringing them to the childminder in the sitting room. Children develop a sense of their own safety as the childminder has rules about the safe use of equipment, such as the trampoline in the garden. She further develops their understanding of road safety as they walk around and they practise fire evacuation so they are confident and aware in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

Children's communication skills develop well as they love to look at books and enjoy listening to favourite stories, such as the Sleeping Beauty. Children enjoy cuddling up with the childminder on the sofa as she reads to them, developing their interests, using good storytelling skills. She points to things in the books and asks questions to make children think and remember and to reinforce learning and understanding. The children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills and creativity as they love to dance and sing using a karaoke microphone and music DVD's. They learn about different sounds musical instruments make and play along in the bedroom to children's music discs. Large motor skills develop well as children love to bounce on the trampoline in the garden and use larger equipment in parks. They enjoy a variety of toddler groups and outings where they are encouraged to further develop their physical and social skills and develop an

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and outcomes for children

Children are well behaved and learn good manners and social skills as they are gently encouraged by the childminder to say please and thank you. They develop good self-esteem and a sense of belonging due to the warm and secure relationship with the childminder and her family; and the childminder's continual praise and encouragement. The childminder plans activities to develop children's awareness of special days and festivals from their own and different cultures. Parents are well informed about their children's learning and development, through daily discussion and folders of their children's work. Parents are consulted about their children's needs and interests on a regular basis. The enabling environment provided ensures the children make good progress in all areas of 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 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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