Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY399903 Inspection date 26/01/2011 Inspector Jan Leo

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in 2009. She lives with her family in a residential close in the Elm Farm area of Aylesbury. Children use the ground floor of the property for play and rest or sleep in a bedroom upstairs. There is an enclosed rear garden for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may accept a maximum of four chidlren under the age of eight years at any one time, of whom two may be in the early years age group. The childminder currently cares for two children in the early years age group on a part time basis.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder dedicates all her time to the children and supports them in an interesting range of activities to keep them well occupied and help them progress. She is developing close bonds with the children to build their security and has good communication systems in place to form effective care plans with parents. Children follow good practice regarding hygiene and strategies for keeping children safe are appropriate in practice. The childminder successfully evaluates her service to help lead improvements and she works with other childcare professionals to help keep up to date and continue her own development. All of the required documentation is in place to support the service adequately but some information lacks detail to be of full value and support for the learning and development programme is under developed.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 obtain, record and act on information from parents about children's dietary needs  improve risk assessments for outings by keeping a record of each type of outing in order to review it effectively before each visit  develop systems to better support the learning and development programme and help in identifying aims, achievements, rate of progress and next steps

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of child protection procedures and how to safeguard children from harm. She supervises diligently at all times to keep This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them safe and reminds them how to play safely throughout the day. Regular risk assessments help maintain safety as children grow and develop but those for outings are not recorded to help consistency and effectiveness. The childminder is very attentive to children's needs and refers to them by name to help them feel welcome. New children are beginning to settle well and at times approach the childminder for support, showing they feel safe in her care. The childminder promotes children's well-being by following good practice regarding hygiene to avoid the spread of infection and helping children develop good habits for the future. For example, children eat healthy snacks, have individual bedding at sleep

p.4

the early years provision

times and the childminder is meticulous in avoiding the spread of infection during nappy changing. The parents provide information about allergies and suitable snacks for their children but the childminder does not record this information to avoid error.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder has a strong relationship with parents and understands the need to link with children's other carers to enhance what they do elsewhere. She shares a range of policies to help clarify how she operates and provides daily feedback to keep parents involved in their children's development. The childminder welcomes ideas for improvement, researching the internet and sharing good practice ideas with other childcare professionals in order to stay up-to-date and help raise standards. She successfully recognises her strengths and weaknesses and is eager to develop her service further.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder strives to get to know about the things children find important in order to adapt care to suit their individual needs. She shares herself fairly and helps children to participate but, as yet, she has no specific aims to work towards to ensure each child progresses at their own level and reaches their full potential.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The children settle fairly quickly on separation from their parents, benefitting from the support the childminder offers when they first arrive. They choose what to do from a range of age appropriate resources and happily engage in play with, and alongside their peers. Some access toys independently from low level shelving, turning to the childminder for approval and grinning widely when she acknowledges their achievement. The childminder sits on the floor to play with the children, showing them how things work and interacting tirelessly to help them make sense of things. The children show interest in the things around them and move from one activity to another using toys for their own purpose. For example, one finds a guitar in the toy box and bobs up and down to the music showing an interest in rhythm while practicing control over her movements. Another finds a car shaped shape-sorter to pull along on a cord. She trails it around the room before

p.5

and outcomes for children

the childminder shows how to post the shapes into the correct holes. An older child wants to 'help' and solve the problem for her friend but the childminder intervenes to let the younger child do it independently, practicing co-ordination and reinforcing her understanding of shape and position. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The children learn to play safely and sensibly throughout the day. They share resources well, needing only a few reminders to preserve harmony. Some shout out loud to protest over injustice if one moves to take a toy, demonstrating an understanding of right and wrong from an early age. The children learn table etiquette, sitting to eat in order to avoid choking and are reminded of good manners to comply with social expectations. The childminder manages the day well by, for example, changing activities regularly to keep children stimulated and

p.5

and outcomes for children

putting on a table top activity at the end of snack time while the children are sitting together already at the table. She coaxes children to join in with dough modelling using effective strategies to involve those who dislike messy play. She moulds the dough into a teddy bear for one to hold and goes on to suggest they make balls and rolls of dough to extend their senses.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder routinely includes some number and colour work but does not actively promote specific learning outcomes at present. She observes what children do and notes some achievements but the records lack detail. She currently has no system in place to measure children's rate of progress and set appropriate challenges to ensure consistent development. She links learning at times to ensure it is relevant but does not monitor what children do in order to ensure all areas of learning are covered equally. As a result, children's progress is based on the childminders response to situations rather than being actively promoted and targeted. Nevertheless, the children remain productively occupied, are gaining in confidence and make satisfactory progress while in the childminder's care. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

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 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8