Childminder in Windsor and Maidenhead

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY318478 Inspection date 14/02/2011 Inspector Kim Mundy

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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 2005 and lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and 15 years in Datchet in the local authority of Windsor and Maidenhead. The ground floor and a bedroom on the first floor of the house are used for childminding purposes. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent/toddler group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in the early years age group on different days. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 are enjoying their time in the care of this childminder as they engage in a range of activities which promote good learning experiences and build on their current skills. The childminder's systems for planning and observational assessment are underway. Children are learning about keeping safe; the childminder has made her home safe and secure for them to explore independently. Good relationships with parents and others mean that, overall, children's care, individual learning and development needs are promoted well. Systems for monitoring the childminding service are effective in identifying key strengths and areas for development, resulting in a provision that is continuously improving.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further planning and observational assessment, and involve parents in the children's learning  provide more toys and resources to promote children's understanding of diversity.

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the early years provision

Children are enjoying their time as they engage in a wide range of activities which promote good learning experiences and build on their current skills. The childminder's systems for planning and observational assessment are underway. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are learning about keeping safe; the childminder has made her home safe and secure for them to explore independently. Good relationships with parents and others mean that, overall, children's care, individual learning and development needs are promoted well. Systems for monitoring the childminding service are effective in identifying key strengths and areas for development, resulting in a provision that is continuously improving.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures in order to fully protect the children. Children are further protected because they are well supervised, all adult household members have had a criminal record check and visitors are required to sign the visitor's book. Comprehensive risk assessments for the premises and outings reduce possible hazards to children, so they are able to explore safely. All of the required documentation is in place and clearly maintained.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses the Ofsted self-evaluation system and parent questionnaires to help her to make judgements about her childminding service. She is keen to further develop her systems for planning and observational assessment of children's progress. The childminder identifies children's next steps for learning, although, parents are not yet fully involved in this process. The childminder has made significant progress since her last inspection to promote children's safety and learning; she continually updates her knowledge and skills through attending training courses, for instance, Early Years Foundation Stage and first aid training.

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the early years provision

Children are valued and respected as individuals and the childminder knows them really well. When caring for children with English as an additional language, the childminder asks parents for words in their child's first language. The children's play room is organised so that they can help themselves to the wide range of toys and resources which helps them to become independent learners. Attractive posters are on display at the children's level to look at and talk about.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are good. Parents are kept well informed of their child's progress through daily diaries, discussions and their learning journals. They are reassured by the text messages and photos of their children happily playing. Parents are unanimous in their positive comments about this childminding service. The childminder is committed to building good relationships with others, for example, pre-school settings and other childminding colleagues.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's interaction with the children is enthusiastic and she uses open questions and praise to help extend their speaking and listening skills. They practise their mark-making skills as they make patterns in shaving foam and rice, and use pencils, chalks and crayons. They also like drawing on the white board with felt pens. Children are developing their creativity as they stick hearts on their pictures for Valentine's Day and decorate their gingerbread men. They begin to show an interest in imaginative play as they dress up and play with cooking This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 utensils. Children extend their problem-solving skills and increase their hand eye coordination, for instance, as they roll balls down the helter skelter, screw nuts and bolts together, thread cotton reels and build towers with bricks. They giggle and laugh as they blow and catch bubbles. Children learn about living things as they

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and outcomes for children

plant sweet corn to take home and observe the birds in the garden.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to learn about other people's beliefs, for example, as they make lanterns for Chinese New Year and listen to Chinese music. There are some toys and resources to promote children's understanding of Multicultural Britain, although, further resources and activities are required to raise children's awareness about diversity in society. Children are happily playing and exploring with confidence in their surroundings.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to live healthy lives. They are increasing their physical skills as they play on a range of apparatus, roll balls, ride and steer toys. The childminder's home is very clean and good procedures are in place to minimise possible cross-infection. For instance, children remove their outdoor shoes and put on their slippers when they arrive. They are learning good hygiene skills as they wash their hands and they recognise their name on their individual towel peg. Furthermore, children are developing a strong sense of belonging.

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and outcomes for children

Parents provide a packed lunch for their child which is stored in the fridge. The childminder encourages children to drink from their water cups throughout the day. At meal times, children sit together and the childminder teaches them good manners. The childminder helps children to learn to share by giving simple explanations and using distraction techniques. They begin to learn to keep themselves safe as they practise the fire drill and talk about crossing roads safely. As a result, children's health, safety and well-being are promoted well by the childminder. 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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