Childminder in Windsor and Maidenhead

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY284649 Inspection date 29/09/2011 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 registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and nine year old son in Windsor, Berkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is available for childminding with toilet and rest facilities upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory part of the Childcare Register and may care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. The childminder is currently minding four children in the early years age group. The childminder goes to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder holds a recognised child care qualification.

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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 play in a stimulating and child friendly environment where they are valued as individuals and inclusion is threaded throughout the childminding practice. Children make good progress in their learning as they access an excellent range of age-appropriate toys and resources that help them become fully engaged in their play. The childminder has a good relationship with parents and others involved in the children's care as links are continually sought to work together to ensure children's needs are met. Most documentation, policies, procedures and risk assessments to protect children's welfare are in place. The childminder thinks about the service she offers, demonstrating a commitment to improve as she seeks to moves her practice forward for the benefit of the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve medication procedures by requesting parental consent to administer over-the-counter medication  develop systems to provide parents with further opportunities to contribute to their children's learning and development records.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises the childminding day effectively following parental preferences and children's routines to provide children with a secure and welcoming environment. Children make good progress in their learning as they access the excellent range of resources and activities that provide opportunities for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them to reinforce and gain new skills. The childminder has a clear understanding of safeguarding issues and the steps to take should she have any concerns about children in her care. Children are never left unsupervised with persons who have not had the appropriate checks. All children's details are requested from parents and recorded, all information stored securely and confidentiality observed at all times. Procedures to be followed in the event of accidents and for the administration of prescribed medication are in place. However; there is no system

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the early years provision

in place to request consent to administer over-the-counter medication should it be required. The childminder has risk assessments in place that assess potential hazards to children and outlines actions taken to reduce these both in the home and on outings. Fire precautions are in place that includes fire evacuation practises.

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the early years provision

The childminder offers an inclusive provision that promotes equality and diversity recognising and valuing each child's individual needs. Through parental questionnaires the childminder seeks parents' views on her practice. Parents express satisfaction with the care and learning opportunities their children receive recording comments, such as, 'not just a service but a real pleasure for the children to be with her' and 'fantastic, would highly recommend'. The childminder talks to parent's daily, sharing information on their children's health and well-being and what they have done throughout the day. The childminder has developed links with other early years provisions the children attend, such as school staff and regularly shares information to help ensure consistency and continuity in their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder reflects well on her practice. Since the last inspection she has completed a level III child care qualification and undertaken several training courses with the local authority. She is aware of her strengths in providing a secure, caring base from which children can learn, recognises some areas for development and considers future steps to address issues and move her practice forward to continue to improve the quality of the care and learning she offers.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident in the childminder's company and move around happily in the warm friendly environment the childminder provides. Children are eager to play with the toys selecting from stimulating resources that are rotated from a larger section to ensure they remain interesting. The childminder helps support children's learning as she uses techniques to extend their knowledge and understanding, for example, she repeats words and simple sentences back to very young children to help develop their thought processes and vocabulary. Children often invite the childminder into their play; she interacts well with them knows their interests and builds on these to help provide appropriate activities to move their learning forward. The childminder reflects on her planning to ensure all the areas of learning are covered. This is evident when looking at children's development profiles that show a clear record of their progress. These are shared

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and outcomes for children

with parents, although there are no systems in place to provide them with regular This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunities to contribute to the learning and development records to help inform future planning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to books in the home and the childminder makes good use of the resource library, for example, borrowing large storybooks to make stories fun and interactive to promote children's enjoyment. There are many opportunities for children to mark make as they play. The childminder is aware that children learn through their play and ensures they have access to resources and activities that reinforce existing skills and provide new challenges, for example, art and craft materials and music and singing to help develop children's creativity and imagination. Children use numbers in their play, for example, counting the play fruit pieces. Future skills are developed as they access interactive toys and every day technology. Toys and resources promote positive images and an inclusive environment is fostered through the positive attitude of the childminder and the opportunities provided to raise awareness of the diverse society in which we live,

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and outcomes for children

for example, words from other languages are incorporated into the childminding day. Children begin to learn about the natural world as they talk about the weather and go on regular outings to explore the surrounding area. A sense of responsibility for the environment is encouraged as children talk about disposing of rubbish and recycling to help provide a clean and safe world in which to live.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a sense of belonging as the childminder knows each child and their family well. Routines are met in line with parental wishes and the daily needs of the children themselves, for example, there are regular opportunities for active play and quiet times when children need to rest. Children socialise with other children at the childminder's home and in the schools they attend, helping them to begin to learn to value each other as individuals. Children have ample opportunities for fresh air and exercise and find out about leading a healthy lifestyle through the well-thought-out activities and good role model the childminder provides, for example, they follow good hygiene practices; help prepare a healthy snack and sit together to socialize at mealtimes. Drinks are available and children begin to understand about their bodies as they recognise they need to drink when it is hot weather. Children develop control and

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and outcomes for children

coordination as they use tools, such as knives to cut their fruit, glue sticks for their artwork and have access to a variety of construction toys with which to build and develop problem solving skills.

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and outcomes for children

A strength of the setting is the childminders clear expectations of behaviour that provides a base on which children can develop sound social skills and begin to learn how to care for themselves, others and the world around them. 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 extremely good and they are eager to please responding with obvious pleasure as the childminder praises them for being helpful. Children begin to understand about keeping themselves safe as the childminder offers age-appropriate explanations as to the possible consequences of their actions. Children also understand the house rules and know that they need to share toys and resources.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is an experienced child care practitioner with a good knowledge of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the early learning goals and this along with a commitment to developing her practice ensures children continue to thrive in her setting. 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 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 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 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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