Childminder in West Berkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY411975 Inspection date 02/02/2011 Inspector Sheena Bankier

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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 lives with her husband in a rural village, near Newbury, Berkshire. The property is close to local amenities and a pre-school and there is a park nearby. The ground floor only of the house is used for childminding, with toilet and sleeping facilities available on this floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of these, three may be in the early years age group at any one time. There are four children currently on roll in the early years age group who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder holds a recognised childcare qualification.

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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 forms good relationships with the children, parents and other settings. She underpins children's learning and development through a broad range of activities, outings and play experiences. Resources and activities to promote diversity are mainly good. The childminder demonstrates a strong awareness of her service and is able to identify future improvements clearly. Overall, paperwork is well organised. Good procedures and routines promote children's wellbeing, safety and health.

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further?

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

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further?

 review and extend resources and activities that reflect positive attitudes to disability, and to ethnic, cultural and social diversity  record details of evacuation practises, for example, any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a competent understanding of safeguarding issues. She has a clear understanding of the potential signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect, and the steps to take in the event of concerns arising. The childminder considers children's safety effectively, for example, she uses appropriate safety equipment to protect children from harm. A written risk assessment effectively identifies potential dangers in and outside of the home, and the actions the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder takes to reduce risks to children. At the time of the inspection, a record of the evacuation practice was not in place to monitor the effectiveness of it. Children's learn about keeping themselves safe, for example, through practising road safety with the childminder.

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the early years provision

The childminder is keen to increase and develop her good practice through additional training. She has a strong understanding of her service and is able to identify future improvements clearly that will benefit the children and families. As a result, she makes good continuous improvement. Children have a large area in which to play, that is welcoming and homely. The childminder actively uses local facilities, such as, the toy library to provide further resources and variety to children. She knows children well as individuals and is able to meet their needs effectively. The childminder's equal opportunities policy reflects a positive approach to inclusive practice, which values individuals.

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the early years provision

Strong partnerships with parents and other settings contribute highly to consistency and continuity in children's care and learning. The childminder provides good information to parents, for example, written policies and procedures. She provides regular feedback to parents both verbally and within 'two-way' written diaries.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident in the care and home of the childminder. They develop very positive relationships with her. The childminder and children have a good rapport. Children have a good sense of belonging, for example, displays of their artwork and photographs promote this well. Children benefit from social snack times, sitting at the table chatting together. Suitable resources to promote awareness of diversity are in place, and the childminder is beginning to introduce further activities to extend children's understanding of the wider world. Boundaries are consistent and the childminder supports these well through explanations and asking questions to underpin children's understanding securely. This increases children's understanding of their safety and the expectations of behaviour.

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and outcomes for children

Good hygiene routines promote children's wellbeing very soundly, for example, children have individual hand drying to prevent the spread of infection. The childminder provides a broad range of healthy snacks. She stores food parents provide appropriately to ensure children's good health. Children develop their independent skills, for example, spreading their toast with toppings. Children benefit from plenty of fresh air and physical activity. They use the garden, go out for walks and visit the local park. Children extend their physical skills, such as, learning to balance.

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and outcomes for children

A good range of fun activities actively supports children's progress. The childminder effectively complements children's learning at other settings as she works closely with them. The childminder provides further activities in her care, for example, using scissors during craft activities to increase children?s skills. As a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 result, children develop good skills for the future. Children benefit from the childminder's good interaction to underpin their knowledge and understanding. The childminder actively promotes children's understanding of colours, letters and numbers during everyday activities. The childminder uses the children's records of progress securely, along with their interests to successfully plan for the next steps in children's 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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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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