Childminder in West BerkshireOfsted inspection, 12 Jul 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY217344 Inspection date 12/07/2011 Inspector Susan May

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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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and five children aged 15, 10, eight, seven and three years in Reading, Berkshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the childcare register and may care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time. The childminder is currently minding two children in the early years age group. The childminder also cares for older children and is prepared to take and collect children from local schools. The childminder holds a recognised National Vocational Qualification at level 3 in Childcare and is a member of an approved childminding network.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children thrive in the childminder's care and their learning and welfare is exceptionally well met overall, through her dedication and experience. Her commitment to developing her practice enables her to provide children with an interesting and stimulating range of activities that help all children make very good progress towards the early learning goals. The excellent relationships developed with parents, carers and other early years practitioners ensure the children's learning is shared and she is constantly seeking to develop new ways to enhance communication links. The childminder evaluates her provision and has a positive approach to improvement. She gains the views of parents who use her provision and builds on her existing strengths to the benefit of all children in her care. She demonstrates a highly effective capacity to maintain improvements ongoing.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continuing to improve children's access to information and communication technology.

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the early years provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are exceptional as the childminder clearly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understands her role and responsibilities to protect children in her care. Children move around safely and confidently in the attractive, secure and homely environment she provides and are never left unattended with unvetted persons. The childminder demonstrates total commitment to her work using her experience as a qualified and experienced childcare practitioner to provide children with a play based environment that is flexible and relates to their interests. Consequently children are provided with a wonderful range of learning opportunities both inside and outdoors, And they freely select from a wide range of easily accessible and well-maintained resources. The childminder demonstrates excellent organisational skills that include clearly written and understood policies and procedures. These

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the early years provision

are shared with parents to effectively protect children's well-being. To further protect children, rigorous daily safety checks support detailed risk assessments. Risk assessments are completed for outings to ensure the ongoing safety of children when away from the home. An inclusive environment is provided as the childminder is deeply committed to providing a setting where all children and their families are welcomed, respected and valued. This helps children feel comfortable and settled and gives them a sense of belonging. Children begin to be aware of the wider world and their own heritage as the childminder provides a range of resources to promote positive images. They celebrate festivals and events that are important to them to help raise children's understanding of the diverse society in which we live. The partnership with parents is outstanding. The childminder recognises the importance of working with the parents to ensure children's interests and

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the early years provision

developmental needs are addressed and their welfare fully promoted. For example, the parent's notice board contains a wide range of range of useful information. Parents receive regular information about their children, through verbal communication, the daily diary, text and regular access to their child's development folder. The childminder includes parents in the learning process, for example, requesting they make comments in the diary and learning folder of any information, events or achievements at home that could be used to help plan for next steps. Parents make many positive comments in the parental questionnaires they are regularly requested to complete. They talk about their children being offered a vast range of experiences, the support they are offered as a family and the advice they have received to help share the learning at home. The childminder has developed excellent links with other settings the children attend. For example,

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the early years provision

she regularly shares information with others involved in the children's care and learning such as staff at the pre-school. This ensures continuity and coherence in children's learning and development. The childminder regularly meets up with other childminders in the area to share ideas and best practice. She is an accredited member of the childminding network and attends training with the local authority and external agencies whenever possible. The childminder is motivated and committed to improving her knowledge and practice and has obtained a National Vocational Qualification at level three in Childcare. She has excellent systems in place to monitor her practice and successfully self-evaluates that. Regular monitoring and purposeful reflection ensures the continued provision of the best opportunities for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children delight in the time they spend with the childminder. They are extremely confident and secure, as they have sufficient space to move around and play in a stimulating, safe, clean environment. Children thrive as the childminder clearly enjoys her work and is proactive in working to provide high quality care and learning opportunities based on the children's individual needs. Planning reflects the interests and spontaneity of the children who develop positive attitudes to learning as the childminder provides activities that are appropriate and fun. There is an excellent balance of adult-led and child-initiated experiences based around play. The childminder observes children during their activities in order to assess and record their progress. Each child has a development plan which helps monitor how effectively their development across the six areas of learning is supported and helps to identify any areas of possible concern. This helps children make very good

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and outcomes for children

progress towards the early learning goals. Children happily participate in activities which cover all their areas of learning and effectively help develop their future life-skills. For example, they grow tomatoes in the garden to help them begin to recognize where food comes from. They are provided with increasing access to everyday technology, such as a computer. Children thoroughly enjoy being creative and using their imagination, and examples of their work is displayed around the home or put into the development folders to be shared with parents. A number of photographs shows them participating in a range of activities that helps promote and develop their creativity. Children's mathematical progress is developing very well. For example, as they count the engines and cars, identify colours and problem solve fitting pieces together to build the train track. Children's posters identifying letters and number

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and outcomes for children

are displayed to help children begin to recognise that words and numbers have meaning. Outings to a variety of groups, visits to the library and meeting with other childminders helps children to be aware of the local area, enjoy new experiences and to socialise with others. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They learn about acceptable behaviour as the childminder provides a calm role model who is committed to promoting good behaviour. The childminder uses positive strategies to encourage good behaviour, for example, for young children the childminder provides clear explanations to help them begin to learn to share and take turns. Praise is frequently given and children are eager to please. Children have established excellent caring and trusting relationships with the childminder, they are highly valued and readily receive lots of hugs and cuddles from her. Children's self-esteem is promoted as the childminder listens and respects what they have to say, encouraging conversations

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and outcomes for children

to develop their thinking and vocabulary skills. Children enjoy books and frequently make requests to the childminder to visit the library to help choose their own. Children have ample opportunities to mark-make indoors and out, for example as they pour sand onto a tabletop outdoors and draw pictures and make patterns. Children's control and coordination is developed as they use large tools such as spades and small resources such as tweezers to find and pick up small plastic mini beasts that had been hidden in a tray filled with bark. Their knowledge of the natural world is extended as they find real insects and use magnifying glasses to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 look at them more closely. Children are developing an excellent understanding of keeping healthy. They access their drinks frequently and the childminder offers a home cooked menu or if

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and outcomes for children

parents prefer they may provide their own meals. Parents are given information about good nutrition and healthy foods as the childminder provides them with a seasonal menu. Children have access to fresh air as they regularly play in the garden and visit local parks where they play on a range of outdoor equipment. They are aware of hygiene issues such as, washing their hands before eating and can identify their own towel. The childminder ensures children's health is protected when in her care by a range of policies and procedures including information about communicable illnesses. Children are able to rest and relax when they require and the childminder regularly checks young children who are sleeping in another room. Children are beginning to be aware of their own safety for example, as they carefully move the child sized chairs away from the table where they wish to stand. Clear explanations provided by the childminder further increase their

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and outcomes for children

awareness of keeping themselves safe, such as the consequences of not looking where the sand is going when digging in the sand pit. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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