Childminder in Wokingham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 506122 Inspection date 26/09/2011 Inspector Margaret Moffat

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1998. She lives with her teenage child in Woosehill, Wokingham, Berkshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder walks to the local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local toddler group and takes children to the local library and park. The family has a pet cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. She is currently minding four children in the early years age range and three school aged children, all on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children clearly enjoy spending time with the childminder. They take part in a wide range of activities and make good progress in their learning. The childminder treats the children with kindness and respect and meets their individual needs. Most documentation is in place and maintained accurately. The childminder develops good links with parents and generally involves them in their children's care and education. The childminder evaluates her setting and this enables her to identify areas for improvement and her aims for the future.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 encourage parents to contribute to their children's learning journals  update the record of risk assessment so that it includes the assessments for all outings and trips.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how to safeguard children. She is aware of the signs and symptoms that would cause her to have concern and appropriate policies and procedures to follow. She provides parents with copies of these policies ensuring they are well informed about the service she provides. The childminder has a record of risk assessments for her home, garden and using the car. Although outings are risk assessed, the childminder does not follow the good practice of recording these assessments for specific outings and trips.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to reflect on the service she offers. She considers her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 communication with children and treating them all as individuals to be a main strength. She has recently renewed her first aid certificate and addressed all recommendations since the last inspection. This shows her commitment to ongoing improvement. The childminder organises space within the home effectively with clearly defined areas for the toys, where children eat and where they can relax. There is a range of toys to support children's understanding of positive images of diversity and they learn about other cultures and traditions through craft activities and tasting different foods from around the world.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to form links with other professionals concerned with the care and development of the children. All relevant information is recorded and discussed with parents. The childminder develops good relationships with the parents and information is shared on a daily basis about the day and children's achievements. Parents are happy with the service provided. They particularly like how happy their children are and the many skills they develop while in the childminder's care.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder provides good support for the children. She spends her time talking and playing with them helping them to learn, and takes every opportunity to ask questions to develop their thinking skills. For example, as they complete puzzles she asks the names of the characters, the colours of their clothes and the names of the numbers. Children are encouraged to find the straight edges and the corners. They then fill in the middle pieces as they follow the picture on the box. Children smile with delight as they finish the puzzle and decide to do it again on their own. The childminder carries out and records observations. She then uses these to support her in planning children's next steps in learning and plotting their progress along the areas of learning. Records are shared with parents, however, they have not yet been encouraged to fully share children's home learning experiences.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to link sounds to letters as they play with the alphabet phonetics teacher game. The childminder asks the children which letter their name begins with and children point to this on the board and then press the button to hear the sound which they copy. They complete this for the other letters in their name and other words, such as cat. Children have opportunities to learn about the world around them through outings in the local community. As they look out the window they talk about the spiders and bees they see on the bushes and what they are doing. When other children arrive back from nursery everyone joins in together as they play with the cars and car mat, socialising and making friendships together. Children behave well and respond to the consistent praise and encouragement they receive from the childminder, particularly when they have 'hi five'. The childminder encourages good manners and children are learning to use

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to follow good hygiene routines during their time with the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder. They wash their hands at appropriate times and the childminder gently reminds them to use the soap and sometimes when they have not done this they go back. Children are aware why they need to wash their hands and hold their hands up to their mouths when coughing as they tell the childminder and visitors 'so everyone won't get the germs'. Children have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills and have access to fresh air and exercise through visits to the park and outdoor play in the garden. This develops their understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Parents currently provide lunch boxes for the children and these are stored appropriately. The childminder encourages the parents to put ice packs in the boxes to keep them fresh.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children develop an understanding of their own safety. The childminder regularly reminds them about the rules indoors, such as no jumping on the couch in case they fall off and hurt themselves and how to carry chairs safely. They also learn about road safety on outings. The childminder helps develop children's skills for the future through the activities and experiences she provides for them. They learn to be independent through dealing with their own care needs and learn about the environment as they are encouraged by the childminder to recycle. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8