Childminder in West Berkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY418065 Inspection date 18/04/2011 Inspector Tracy Bartholomew

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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. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder works with her father who is also a registered childminder. They operate a combined childminder service from the village of Eddington, on the outskirts of Hungerford in West Berkshire. The childminder and her father work and employ another childminder and an assistant to work in the setting. The whole ground floor of the property is used for childminding with sleep facilities and toilet facilities available on the first floor. There is an adjacent self-contained annex to provide care for the under twos. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder may mind six children when working alone, of these three may be within the early years age range. However, when working with the other two childminders at the premises, is registered to care for a maximum of 12 children at any one time. They are currently minding three under fives full time and 12 under fives on a part time basis. They also care for 14 school aged children in a combination of before or after school of which six children are aged over eight years. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children. The family has one cat.

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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 confident, at ease and happy in the care of this childminder. They benefit from a welcoming and stimulating environment, where they make very good progress in their learning and development. The childminder has established successfully professional relationships with her parents, which as a result enables her to meet the individual welfare requirements of all of the family. The system for self-evaluation is at its infancy; however the childminder has a accurate understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the provision and take effective steps to improve it.

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further?

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

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further?

 reappraise existing practices when taking children to the toilet to promote children's privacy  develop further assessment records to enable children to progress in their next steps of learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a competent understanding of her role of how to safeguard children. She has extensive understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of a child protection referral and has suitable policies in place to ensure parents are aware of her duties. She protects children from persons who are not vetted and maintains their safety both inside and out. She conducts thorough safety reviews of her premises and of all outings undertaken, keeping a suitable record of her risk assessments. A good range of policies and procedures guide her daily practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder takes suitable steps to maintain sustainability with her resources. Children have freedom to play and explore, which is due to the generally well- organised space. Resources are accessible and well utilised to encourage children's play and independence. For example, a suitable range of toys, books and play materials are made accessible to the children to self-select from as they choose. The childminder has good systems in place to promote diversity. She uses her knowledge well to inform planning and to ensure that all children are included and valued. She has a positive attitude to including and meeting all the children's needs, working hard to ensure that her setting is accessible to all.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to continuously reviewing and improving all areas of practice. Her improving knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage has a positive impact on children. Self evaluation is in its early stages but the childminder is fully aware of the areas for future development such as profiles for the children to allow her to reflect on the children's next steps in their learning and development to their individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with the parents. She communicates with parents verbally every day and provides parents with a diary book to support the verbal communications with written information. This enables parents to refer to the information within their home environments. As of yet the childminder does not currently care for children who attend other early years settings. However, she is fully aware of the importance to promote continuity to promote and support the outcomes for all children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident and clearly relaxed in the care of this childminder. They feel valued within the setting and have their individual likes and interests well catered for throughout the day. They know where resources live and are confident to ask for others if they are unable to access these, for example the cooker. All children enjoy playing and including the childminder in their activities; they enjoy re-enacting parental roles with the babies and share resources fairly, to enable This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 each other to pacify their baby with a dummy. Great excitement is shown as they explore within the baby box and obtain dressing up clothes to extend their games such as bags and further baby equipment. The childminder is very attentive to the individual needs of the children; she interacts well with them supporting and challenging their development well overall.

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and outcomes for children

Children quickly respond to the activities on offer. They become excited when the childminder plays cooking with them; they enthusiastically make her variety of meals and the childminder promotes the children's understanding of safety as they talk about the food being hot. Children enjoy activities tailored to their individual needs and developmental level; they enjoy floating between the inside and outside area, accessing a wide range of developmental activities as they do. They use their problem solving skills well as they interlink puzzles. Creative development is extended through art and craft and sensory games. While they are engrossed in activities on offer the childminder makes good use of their interest by helping them to identify different colours and to develop early counting skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is well supported and promoted; they follow good procedures for maintaining their health, such as washing their hands prior to eating and when visiting the toilet. The childminder communicates consistently with the children, which as a result enables them to have a firm understanding of the importance of maintaining their health. The children are well protected from infection due to the precise health and hygiene routines that the childminder maintains, however the existing practices used to take children to the toilet require re-evaluating to maintain the children's privacy.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is committed to healthy eating, she provides a well balanced and nutritious range of snacks and lunches for the children, which meet their individual needs, likes and dislikes. Children have regular outings in the local environment, such as visiting the local library, feeding the ducks and exploring in the local parks. This encourages the children to be active on a regular basis whilst developing their all round physical skills. 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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