Childminder in West Berkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY400045 Inspection date 23/11/2010 Inspector Caroline Hearn

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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 2009. She lives with her partner and one year old daughter in Thatcham, Berkshire. The downstairs rooms are used for minding and children access the first floor for sleeping and accessing the bathroom. There is a fully enclosed rear garden area available for outside play and access to the premises is via two steps from street level.The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may provide care for a maximum of four children at any one time, of whom two may be in the early years age group. There is currently one child on roll who is in the early years age group.

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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

This childminder pays attention to detail when it comes to her childminding service, ensuring children and their families are offered care that best meets their ongoing needs. Children are relaxed in her care and she uses her good knowledge of their preferences to plan a wide range of activities that will capture their interests.. As a result, all children make good progress in their learning. The childminder reflects on her practice and is committed to making improvements by attending training, demonstrating a good capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase opportunities for children to gain awareness and value diversity and difference, particularly in relation to cultural background and those who may have differing abilities

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the early years provision

The childminder gives careful consideration to aspects of safeguarding. Her risk assessments cover all the required areas and detail any further action she has taken to reduce possible risk. She has, for example, assessed her outside decked area and decided to put a non-slip surface on this to reduce any slip hazard. She is well aware of the local child protection procedures and her policies detail the process she would follow should she have a concern. As a direct result of these actions children are well safeguarded. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder regularly reflects on her practice, addressing weaknesses and taking well-chosen action to improve her care of children. For example, by addressing points for improvement that were identified at her registration visit and by seeking appropriate training courses to attend. She has also reviewed all her

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the early years provision

paperwork to ensure this continues to reflect her practice. She promotes equality and diversity, recognising each child as an individual with a particular set of needs. The childminder has a wide range of resources and these are stored at child height allowing children to freely access them.

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the early years provision

Parents and carers have plenty of opportunities to communicate with the childminder. She currently uses electronic mail, daily diaries and face to face discussions. She understands parent's anxieties when it comes to choosing childcare for their children and tailors her settling in arrangements and on-going interaction to parent's individual needs. This tailored service well supports continuity of care for the children between home and the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder recognises the importance of the key person approach, especially when it comes to babies. She supports children well when out in social situations, such as toddler groups and understands they may need additional support to build their confidence in these new environments. It is evident through the observation records that this is well managed and children quickly gain confidence. This allows them to get the most out of sessions, such as music groups. The childminder makes effective use of everyday activities, such as playing with building blocks to introduce the children to the concept of colour, shape and numbers. She may ask a child to hand her a blue block or point out that she has two blocks but the child may have three. This simple, yet effective discussion helps to effectively support children's understanding of these concepts. When children start attending, the childminder discusses their stage of

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and outcomes for children

development. This helps her to plan future activities and experiences for each child. The on-going records, such as planning and children's development folders, show children undertake a wide range of activities, which effectively cover all six areas of learning. As a direct result all children make good progress. Children learn to keep themselves safe as the childminder encourages them to stop and look before crossing the road, and she asks them to tell her if it is safe to cross. Children's behaviour is managed in a sensitive way and the childminder makes good use of discussion to encourage the children to think through the consequences of their actions. Due to this, children's behaviour is generally good and they are considerate to the needs of others. The childminder takes the children on lots of outings where they get to meet people from different backgrounds. However, she has few resources, which show positive images of

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and outcomes for children

people of different cultures and of those of mixed ability to help increase children's awareness of diversity through play. Children are provided with a balanced and varied diet. The childminder ensures children have plenty of fruit and vegetables. For those children who are not keen This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on fruit and vegetables, the childminder is creative at blending them into sauces and gently encouraging children to try different things. Children are protected from the spread of cross infection as the childminder encourages them to follow simple everyday routines, such as hand washing and not sharing cups. Children enjoy daily opportunities to undertake outdoor play and 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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