Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY421181 Inspection date 06/07/2011 Inspector Jill Milton

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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 and she lives with her partner in the town of Bicester. The home is within travelling distance of the town centre and close to local schools and nurseries. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding, with bedrooms upstairs for daytime rest if required. There is an enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder has two brown mice and a Staffordshire Bull terrier dog. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for up to six children under eight years at any one time and of these three may be in the early years age range. She currently cares for two children in the early years age range.

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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 provides a comfortable home where children can progress well with many aspects of their learning and development. The childminder is motivated about improving her qualifications in childcare and she reflects on her day-to-day work thoughtfully. She is well organised and is establishing some encouraging partnerships with parents based on a good two-way flow of information. The childminder takes into account the needs of individual children when she plans activities.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the garden into a more stimulating area that promotes learning through play  date the entries made into children's developmental records to aid tracking of progress over time.

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the early years provision

The childminder keeps a wide range of reference materials accessible on the area of safeguarding and she is aware from recent training the types of indicators that would cause her concern. She is up-to-date with issues such as data protection and has a policy on the safe use of the internet by any older children in her care. The childminder keeps a good range of written risk assessments, which reflect well on her understanding of safety around the home. She considers potential hazards young children may face on outings too, with well-written notes on how to minimise such issues. The childminder organises the downstairs space in the home This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effectively to provide children with a cosy area for play containing accessible good quality resources. Following a recent house move, the childminder has yet to develop the garden fully to be a stimulating area for play.

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the early years provision

The childminder is making an encouraging start to planning activities and evaluating her practice. She records weekly notes with reminders to follow up on acquiring further resources or looking into early years research materials to help her provide effective support to children. Since registration, she is extending her professional skills by accessing courses and working closely with another experienced childminder. Her resources are also increasing, with many items available, for example to help children learn about the wider world such as dressing up clothes, musical instruments and books.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her role in building up partnerships with parents and with other providers of childcare. She is making links with local pre-schools, talking to key staff and becoming aware of topics for the term to help her provide continuity to children's care. She prepares a comprehensive start up pack for new families with a copy of policies and well prepared registration form. This helps her gain useful information about the children so that she can meet their needs effectively. Feedback from parents is positive.

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and outcomes for children

Children greet the childminder warmly with a hug and are quick to involve themselves in play on arrival at the home. The childminder is aware of their daily routines and need for sleep and she provides a comfortable quiet room upstairs for daytime rest. The childminder protects children's health well, by following good hygiene procedures when changing nappies and older children develop independence by visiting the bathroom. A child comments on how his individual towel 'is nice and soft'. Children have laminated labels on their hand towels and individually labelled boxes for personal belongings. Aspects like this help them to have a sense of belonging. Children are developing a good awareness of safety and are able to explain about the regular fire evacuations of the home and the need for protection from hot sun. They also know why some toy boxes have a red sign on them to warn them that they must ask for assistance to reach heavy items

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and outcomes for children

down from the storage unit. Many good quality resources are accessible and amply cover the areas of learning indoors.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy the outdoor play space and although this is an area under development, they are keen to play in the sand pit or use toy diggers. The childminder provides frequent alternatives to the children so that they can use climbing equipment in the local park. They also take part in many other trips to woodlands, the library and toddler groups to provide them with exercise and experiences within the community. A colourful scrapbook of photographs shows children taking part in sociable occasions with other children, for example St David's day or the royal wedding celebrations. Children are using technology when they operate a camera to record these events. The childminder is making an This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encouraging start to observing the children's development across each area of learning. She is regularly recording their achievements, though not all entries into

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and outcomes for children

their files show dates to provide a more helpful indication of progress over time.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a positive attitude to healthy eating and the childminder uses snack times to reinforce good manners. Children make healthy choices from fresh and dried fruits and they cook dishes such as apple crumble with the childminder. Children are exploring different textures in their play and the childminder provides a good range of objects for them to handle in the 'sensory basket' that is changed each month. Items like musical instruments also provide sensory experiences and offer children a chance to play with things from different countries around the world. Children can access daily mark making materials and a pleasant selection of books and story sacs. They see many examples of print around the home since the childminder is good at making small laminated word labels. A colourful sun display made up of children's handprints shows that their creative efforts are of value. 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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