Childminder in Wokingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY415122 Inspection date 10/03/2011 Inspector Anne Faithfull

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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 2010. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of Childcare Register.She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 11 years old in Lower Earley, Berkshire. The whole of the house is registered for childminding with toilet facilities on the ground floor. Sleeping facilities are available on the first floor. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks and toddler groups. The childminder can take children to and collect from local schools.

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Description of the childminding

Her registration permits her to care for six children under eight years and of these, three may be in the early years age range, at any one time, and she is currently minding three children who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage on a part- time basis.

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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 offers a secure, welcoming and homely family environment to all children in her care. She recognises the uniqueness of each child and provides an inclusive service where each child is respected, valued and included. Overall, children have their learning and welfare needs met as the childminder is aware of each child's individual needs, routines and requirements as most information is obtained from parents before their child starts. The childminder is committed to continuous development. She has made a good start at self-evaluating her practice to ensure she can identify key strengths and areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the observation and assessment system in place to include information from parents regarding their child's starting points and other achievements already at home or other settings they attend  promote further children's independence skills by ensuring they can access tissues and their drinks independently and when they require.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures to protect children from harm and abuse. As a result, she is aware of what to do and who to contact in the event that she has concerns about a child in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her care. The childminder completes and records the daily safety checks she makes to ensure children are able to move around freely, safely and independently. This is reinforced through the childminder's completion of detailed risk assessments for all areas of her home, garden and outings which ensures any risks are identified and minimised. The childminder ensures younger children are beginning to be aware of the procedures in place for fire drills as she talks them through each step when they complete the fire drill together. The childminder organises her day well to ensure there is a balance of both indoor and outdoor

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the early years provision

play and experiences. The childminder has a range of toys and resources which she rotates on a regular basis to ensure the children do not become bored. Children can independently select the resources they wish to use from the lounge area or from the large amount stored on shelves in the shed outside. The childminder recognises that each child is different and ensures children are beginning to understand diversity and that everyone is different through talking to them and providing them with a range of resources, including books. The childminder is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all children and their families. She enables children to feel a sense of belonging as she warmly welcomes them into her home and treats them as individuals with equal concern.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed a good relationship with the parents and the parent's board displays a range of information relating to her childminding service. Parents receive a copy of the policies and procedures place before their child starts and the childminder ensures all parental consents are obtained. Parents make many positive comments about the childminder in their reference letters. These include how the childminder is honest, flexible and extremely friendly and the homely environment provided. They comment on how happy their children are in her care and how the childminder promotes good behaviour and manners. The childminder is aware to liaise with other settings the children attend although currently no children attend any other settings. The childminder has made a good start at evaluating her practice including completing some of the Ofsted self- evaluation form. The childminder has also obtained a wide range of reference

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the early years provision

books, leaflets and other information relating to childcare and the Early Years Foundation Stage to help her develop her knowledge. She has already identified courses and training she would like to access through the local authority including problem solving and conflict resolution. These measures demonstrate her total commitment to improving and developing her service in order to continually improve the outcomes for children and her child care knowledge.

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and outcomes for children

Children are relaxed, happy and comfortable in the childminder's home. The childminder's calm and caring manner helps children to feel settled, confident and secure. The childminder uses her knowledge on how children learn through play to provide children with a range of activities and experiences, which are interesting, fun and help to promote their early learning and development effectively. Children experience a good balance between adult-led activities and those that they chose for themselves. The childminder has flexible plans in place and readily responds to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's spontaneity for example; when children asked to play skittles the childminder readily ensured clear floor space was available for them. The childminder is very aware of each child's interest and preferences and includes these in her plans. For example, she arranges visits to local farms to see horses

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and outcomes for children

and other different animals as a child who attends has a passion for horses.

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and outcomes for children

Each child has their own learning journey where the childminder records the observations she makes and includes photographs of the child. All observations are linked to each area of learning and the childminder effectively uses the observations she makes to help identify children's next steps in their learning. However, although the childminder obtains information from parents before their child starts, this does not include information regarding their child's achievements already made in their learning to help her initially identify their starting points. Parents can access their child's file at any time and the childminder shares with parents on a daily basis any progress in each child's learning.

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and outcomes for children

A range of large photographs displayed show children enjoy a wide range of activities and experiences in all weathers such as kicking leaves in the woods and participating in activities with other children. Children talk about a favourite activity which is going to the park to feed the ducks and looking at the water. Children are beginning to be aware of re-cycling and make a range of shakers out of used plastic water bottles using a range of different items including beads and coloured feathers. The childminder continually extends children's early communication skills by asking relevant questions such as 'where is the duck'. Children are developing an understanding of numbers as they count the skittles they have knocked down with the childminder and jump and clap with delight when they have knocked them all down.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing skills for the future. They push buttons on toys to make them move and use a range of electronic resource. The childminder continually reminds and encourages children to begin to be aware of safety issues and their own safety. For example, reminding them to hold onto her hand when they are out and what to do if they get lost. Children are beginning to learn to share toys and play well together side by side. They care for each other and are sensitive to the needs of others. Children are aware of the routines in place such as putting on their slippers when they enter the home and readily find the childminder's slippers as well. The childminder uses effective strategies to deal with any behaviour issues such as, distraction and is a good role model to the children and she readily offers praise and encouragement when appropriate. Children are encouraged to say please and thank you and readily respond to any request from the childminder

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning about personal hygiene and are aware of the hygiene routines in place, such as washing their hands before snacks. However, they cannot independently access tissues and their own drinks when they require. Children are beginning to be aware of healthy eating as the childminder provides fruit for their snacks and they independently choose which fruit they would like from the fruit bowl. The childminder works with parents regarding sleep routines and the amount of time the children are able to sleep and children have daily opportunities to access fresh air and exercise on walks to the local school, parks This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and outdoor play in the garden. Visits to local soft play centres enable children to develop their physical skills as they climb and balance on a range of equipment. 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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