Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY289946 Inspection date 24/11/2010 Inspector Susan 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 registered in 2004 and lives with her husband and three children aged 14, 11 and nine years in Chesham, Buckinghamshire. The basement, ground and first floor of the premises are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register and may care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. The childminder is currently minding one child in the early years age group. The childminder also cares for older children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from local schools.

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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 feel settled and secure in the childminder's home and develop a warm and caring relationship with her. Each child is valued as an individual as the childminder provides for their care and education in a suitably inclusive manner, although this does not fully reflect the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children's safety and welfare is a priority, with policies and procedures in place to support this, however, the childminder's first aid certificate is no longer valid and this is a breach of requirements. The childminder builds positive relationships with parents and other persons involved in the children's learning. She is able to identify her strengths and weaknesses, demonstrating a commitment to making improvements that will benefit the children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 complete an appropriate paediatric first aid certificate (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) 31/01/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 develop planning and observation systems, matching them to the expectations of the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder keeps children safe and has a suitable understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect. She has clear procedures in place should she have any concerns about a child in her care. All household members are suitably vetted. Risk assessments are in place for the premises and for outings and these are currently being updated to reflect the age of the children for whom she cares. Planning of daily routines is flexible and responsive to the needs of the children. For example, she provides opportunities for children to sit quietly and rest after attending a nursery session or at the end of a busy school day. Policies and procedures are in place and are shared with parents. All required documentation is in place to keep children safe, with accident, incident and medication forms accurately completed. The childminder's first aid certificate has expired, although she has a sound knowledge of how to act in an emergency situation. She has

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the early years provision

booked on another course but the lack of a valid certificate is a requirement.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of child development together with a broad range of easily accessible resources and activities. She uses her experience to involve all children in activities. However, her knowledge of the learning requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage is limited and she does not have a system to ensure observations inform future planning. She discusses children's individual observations and achievements with parents but does not fully relate these to the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder communicates with parents on a daily basis and they express their confidence and praise for the service the childminder provides. There are good links with others involved in the children's care, for example, a communication book between parents, the childminder and school which helps provide a clear picture of children's care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of the relevance of self-evaluation, and is able to discuss strengths of her provision and areas where improvements would benefit the children. For example, by undertaking further training with the local authority to increase her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time in the safe and secure environment the childminder provides. The childminder is very experienced in caring for children. She knows the children in her care well and has a sound knowledge of child development. Therefore, she is confident in enabling children to initiate their own play while being on hand to offer support to ensure they continue to make progress. The childminder adopts a calm, effective approach to behaviour management. She uses This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 appropriate methods according to the children's age and stage of development. For example, children have reward charts that help build their self-esteem, confidence and a sense of achievement at something done well. Children behave in the home in ways that keep themselves safe, such as, moving carefully from one level of the house to another. They are developing an understanding of how to

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and outcomes for children

keep safe when outdoors, as they discuss remaining in the car until the childminder says it is safe to get out and stay close to the childminder when walking near roads.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a good range of toys and resources that are easily accessible to them and the childminder knows the children well and is able to identify if they require any further support in their learning and development. However, she is not effectively matching her observations and planning to the expectations of the early learning goals. Children explore and select resources independently and their likes and interests are taken into account when the childminder plans future adult-led activities, for example, outings, arts and crafts activities and cooking. Children often invite the childminder into their play and she uses this as an opportunity to help extend their skills and learning as she asks open ended questions, extends vocabulary and makes simple suggestions to help them find solutions to problems, such as, how to put together small construction bricks to build a car. Daily activities include time for outdoor play to enable children to benefit from plenty of

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and outcomes for children

fresh air and physical activity as they enjoy regular visits to the park and collect children from local schools. Children begin to recognise colours and count in everyday situations, such as, counting how many cars they can see of a particular colour when they are outdoors, playing board games using dice and keeping score as they play with the tabletop football. Children independently use the bathroom and learn about good hygiene, for example, as they wash their hands before they eat. This promotes children's health and well-being, helps them become familiar with good hygiene practices and helps prevent cross infection. Children sit at the table for meal and snack times to promote their social skills and provide a sound basis for good future eating habits.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to a good selection of books at the childminder's home; they read books together and have ample opportunities for mark making using a variety of tools, such as pens, pencils, crayons and brushes. Children find out about change as they mix ingredients during cooking sessions, benefit from a range of technology toys and have access to a laptop. There are opportunities to explore their creativity as they have access to small world play and art and crafts materials both in the childminder's home and at the nursery and schools they attend. The childminder values and respects each child's individuality, ensuring equality and diversity is promoted through a range of images, resources and activities. For example, they often cook foods from other countries and celebrate a range of festivals and events. This helps create an inclusive environment that encourages children to feel a sense of belonging and promotes their self-esteem.

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and outcomes for children

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 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 3 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 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for) 31/01/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Welfare of the children being cared for) 31/01/2011

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