Childminder in Windsor and Maidenhead

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY343289 Inspection date 23/02/2011 Inspector Glenda Pownall

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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 2006. The family lives in Maidenhead, Berkshire and has one child, who is aged seven years. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding, with bathroom and sleeping facilities provided on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks and the library.

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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. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. She is currently minding six children part time in this age group. The childminder holds a relevant 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

Children are at home in the warm and welcoming environment and have their individual needs well met. They make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder has good knowledge of the requirements and guidance of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder acknowledges that areas for development include some written records and aspects of working in partnership with other professionals. She is committed to improving her practice and regularly attends training in order to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop an effective system for working in partnership with other professionals involved in supporting children's development  review the risk assessment to check that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact  develop records of learning and development and ensure that parents have regular opportunities to add to these records.

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the early years provision

The childminding service runs smoothly because the childminder has a good understanding of all required procedures. Written policies support her practice. There are effective systems in place to safeguard children. The childminder is confident of the procedures to follow if concerned a child is at risk of harm and she does not leave children alone with people who are not vetted. The childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 generally provides a very safe environment for children. She makes daily checks to ensure the appropriate safety measures are in place and reviews her risk assessment each month. The risk assessment covers most aspects of the environment although some potential hazards, such as the risk of children locking themselves in the bathroom, are not included. The childminder follows the good practice of recording the risk assessments for outings. She practises fire drills with

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the early years provision

children to develop their awareness of what to do in the event of an emergency evacuation of the premises.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection, the childminder has improved her knowledge and skills by completing a relevant childcare qualification. She identifies strengths of her practice and areas for development and an action plan details how improvements will be made. There is a good range of resources to support children's learning. Resources are organised effectively in a low-level storage drawer unit enabling children to choose resources for themselves. The action plan details placing pictures on the outside of each drawer to make it easier to see where specific resources are stored. This supports the development of children's independence skills.

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the early years provision

The childminder talks to parents when children first start to ensure she has good knowledge of children's individual needs and backgrounds. This enables her to support children in making as much progress as they can. Parents are happy with the childcare their children receive. They particularly like the happy environment and the good communication that keeps them informed of their children's development. The childminder establishes positive relationships with parents. She provides parents with copies of her policies and exchanges information about children's routines and activities through daily chats and using text messages. This provides continuity of care for children. The childminder seeks the views of parents by using questionnaires. Children attend a variety of different settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and the childminder finds out about their learning at these settings through effective communication with parents. The

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the early years provision

procedure to work with other professionals involved with children is not as effective as it does not ensure the childminder has all the necessary information to support fully children's development.

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and outcomes for children

Children appear happy and safe in the childminder's care. They talk readily to her during activities and she responds warmly offering lots of praise and encouragement. Young children snuggle in to the childminder when they are tired and fall asleep on her lap. This indicates trusting relationships. Children move confidently around the home. The childminder reminds them gently why they should tidy away toys when finished with and why they should not give younger children marbles. This encourages children to think about their own and other people's safety. Children follow good personal hygiene routines and they enjoy healthy balanced meals. They develop awareness of the importance of regular drinks to support their good health because the childminder encourages them to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 take frequent drinks. Children participate in a wide range of activities to extend

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and outcomes for children

their physical skills. These include daily outings to parks and walks in the local environment.

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and outcomes for children

Children are keen to engage in activities because of the effective support they receive from the childminder. They participate in a wide range of activities and outings to increase their awareness of the diverse society in which they live. Children enjoy their learning and develop the necessary skills to ensure their future learning. Children practise writing numerals and are confident to try again when they identify five does not look right and receive lots of praise. The childminder adapts activities to ensure that all children can participate in them. Children develop awareness of letters and the sounds they make through fun activities. For example, they make letter shapes in play dough and announce, 'I've done a v'. The childminder encourages children to think of words starting with the letter and they say 'v for van'. Children click and drag the computer mouse with skill to complete simple computer programs. Young children develop interest in simple technology

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and outcomes for children

as they press buttons and turn cogs on activity centres to hear different sounds and voices.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder analyses her observations and uses this information to plan next steps in learning for each child. Records of each child's learning journey are in the early stages of development. The childminder highlights children's achievements on a document similar to the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. However, this does not clearly show the path of children's progress or their need for further support. The childminder does verbally discuss children's progress with parents but the learning records do not provide space for parents to contribute what children can do at home. Children are polite and behave very well. The childminder displays children's artwork and this promotes their self-esteem. 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 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 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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