Childminder in West Berkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY408776 Inspection date 14/12/2010 Inspector Christine Stimson

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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 July 2010. She lives with her adult daughter in West Molsey, Surrey, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The childminder's home is situated on the first floor of a block of flats with no lift access. The living room and hallway are used for general play and children have access to the bathroom. There is no garden available to children, but alternative arrangements are made for outdoor play in nearby parks.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children, three of whom can be in the early years age range, at any one time. She is currently caring for one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is able to take and collect children from the local school and nursery.

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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

Children are happy in the care of the childminder and play in a secure environment with resources deployed effectively for self-selection. The childminder cares for children before and after school and in the school holidays. She does not plan activities for them as individuals nor does she observe their play and note their achievements and abilities. The childminder maintains regulatory documentation, but has not requested consent to seek medical advice or treatment for all the children in her care. The childminder has developed partnerships with the children's parents and the teachers at the school the children attend, but has not embraced any training opportunities since becoming registered. The childminder has self-evaluated her practice to identify strengths and weaknesses, but has not involved parents or children in this process.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure written permission is requested to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future for all the children in your care. 29/12/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems to ensure observations and assessments of individual This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's achievements are noted and use these to help plan children's next step of development  make learning plans for each child based on information gained from finding out their starting points, talking to them, their parents and their teachers and by observing each child to ensure every child's learning journey is unique to them  obtain written parental permission for children to take part in outings both in the car and when out walking  obtain a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance and ensure the safeguarding policy is in line with these procedures.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding children and is clear on how to proceed if she has concerns about a child in her care. However, she does not have a copy of the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines for referral and has not checked her safeguarding policy to ensure it is in line with their procedures. The childminder's home is a safe environment for children to play and she has devised risk assessments for her premises and for all outings undertaken with children. All adults living on the premises have undergone vetting procedures to ensure they are suitable. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as they practise the evacuation procedure with the childminder and demonstrate an understanding of how to cross roads safely.

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the early years provision

The childminder has not attended training courses since becoming registered to help develop her practice and improve outcomes for children. She has a number of policies and procedures relating to her practice and these are shared with parents when children first start in her care. Regulatory documentation is in place and used effectively by the childminder, however, she has overlooked the need to request written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for every child in her care and this is a breach of regulations. The childminder has some written consents from parents, but only has verbal permission for children to be taken on local outings and to travel in her car. The childminder has a range of age appropriate toys children can access as they are stored in baskets, kept at child height and this enables children to make a choice in their play.

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the early years provision

Inclusive practice is promoted as the childminder has built a rapport with parents, passing on information from school, chatting to them when they bring and collect their children and texting them if she has any questions or concerns. She does not ascertain from parents children starting points when they first come into her care and as a result she is not building on what children already know and can do. The childminder has approached the children's school and has a copy of their term's planning. She has started to use this as a guide to extend their learning. For example, children are concentrating on sounds of letters at school and the childminder tries to work on this whilst children are in her home playing.

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the early years provision

The childminder has limited resources that reflect diversity, but talks to children about people's disabilities and culture. She looks at the school planning of activities This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and tries to extend children knowledge in this area by researching the subject on the internet. The childminder has self-evaluated her practice to identify strengths and weaknesses, but has not asked parents or children to give their opinion.

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and outcomes for children

Children share positive relationships with the childminder as they have formed secure bonds. They are comfortable in an environment where a variety of toys and resources are easily accessible to them to promote their independence. Children respond well to the childminder's encouragement as she praises their efforts. They proudly show off their work to her and are encouraged to take it home for parents to see. Children are familiar with the routine and are encouraged to chat with the childminder about their day at school.

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and outcomes for children

Children love to dress up at the childminder's home and a variety of outfits are available to transport them into a world of imaginary play. For example, children dress as Father Christmas, Spider Man, a knight and a doctor. Other resources are available to support this imaginary play such as medical kits and castles with toy soldiers. Children have opportunities to practice their writing skills in the care of the childminder who provides paper and pencils along with art and craft materials. The childminder's book range is limited as many of the books are aimed at younger children. However, the childminder asks children what books they have brought from school and spends time reading these to them. All play is child initiated as the childminder does not plan activities for the children based on their individual abilities and interests. She does not observe and assess their play to move them to their next steps of development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to know and understand how to lead a healthy lifestyle as they are provided with healthy options for meals and benefit from a range of home cooked foods provided by the childminder on their return from school. Children wash their hands before eating and are provided with their own hand towels to help prevent cross infection. During the lighter evenings the childminder takes the children to the park to enable them to extend their physical skills on large playground equipment. The childminder does not have a garden so outside play and opportunities for exercise is limited in the winter months. Children's independence is encouraged as the children take themselves to the toilet and wash their hands afterwards. They help the childminder pick up toys they have got out before moving onto other activities and show an understanding of the 'two basket' rule the childminder has imposed. This means children can only get out two

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and outcomes for children

baskets of toys at any one time as this helps avoid tripping hazards in the childminder's lounge where children play. Children are well behaved and polite and have a good role model in the childminder, who uses common courtesies when speaking to the children and they respond in the same manner. The childminder is calm and clear in her explanations to children who show unwanted behaviour.

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and outcomes for children

Children are made aware of safety issues by the childminder who has practised her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 evacuation plan with them. They are able to verbally demonstrate what they will do in a fire and have learnt how to leave the flat quickly and safely if necessary. Children know the rules when crossing roads and demonstrate this by talking about not crossing if a red light is showing and only crossing if the green man appears and they have looked and listened. 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 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 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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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