Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY428229 Inspection date 04/10/2011 Inspector Kim Mundy

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2011. She lives with her partner and three young children in Princes Risborough in Buckinghamshire. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children and she attends the local preschool groups. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age range and she is currently minding three children in this 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

Children benefit from the warm and affectionate care the childminder provides. They enjoy the activities on offer as they make good progress in their learning and development. The process of planning and observational assessment is underway. Good partnerships with parents and others are established to effectively meet the children's individual needs. The childminder implements clear practices and procedures, which help to fully safeguard and promote children's welfare. She is beginning to evaluate her childminding service in order to make continuous progress to benefit outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further, the planning and assessment processes, and enable parents to become fully involved in their child's continuous learning and assessment records  develop current systems of self-evaluation, to include the views of parents in order to improve the outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues and she knows the correct procedures to follow, should she have any concerns. In addition, household members have been suitably checked. Children are able to explore freely and independently because the childminder has taken necessary precautions to make her home safe and secure. Risk assessments are completed for outings to further promote children's safety. The childminder has effective systems in place to administer and record any medication and first aid This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 treatment.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to evaluate her childminding provision to continuously improve the outcomes for children. She attends various training courses, which further demonstrates her capacity to bring about improvement. She organises all of her documentation methodically and has compiled clear written policies and procedures, which are shared with parents and underpin her good childminding service.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes very good use of the space in her home and garden to meet the needs of the children attending. Good quality toys and resources are provided, including those to promote children's understanding of diversity. All children are included and the childminder manages her time well, responding to each child's needs as they arise. Consequently, they feel supported, respected and valued for their uniqueness.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes trusting relationships with parents and carers. Parents receive feedback about their child's daily routine and achievements, for instance, through the daily diary, learning journal and discussions. The childminder successfully establishes links with other providers, such as preschool provisions and childminding colleagues. This means that children are involved in the community and they develop their social skills. Positive comments from parents include, 'We feel very welcome in the childminder's home. She is very flexible and accommodating, and my child is always happy when he knows he will be spending his day with the childminder'.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder fully embraces the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She is developing secure systems for planning and assessing children's progress. However, parents are not fully involved in their child's continuous learning and assessment records. When planning activities, the childminder takes children's individual interests in to account. For example, children thoroughly enjoy chipping away at a lump of ice with a spoon to reveal dinosaurs hiding inside. The childminder uses effective teaching skills, such as helping children to think for themselves by asking open questions for them to respond to, and by making various suggestions.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing many skills for the future; they practice their early writing skills both in and outdoors as they use their fingers to make patterns in sand, paint water on the fence, and use writing implements such as chalk, pencils and crayons. They are developing their problem-solving skills as they pour couscous through the wheel, fit puzzles together and weigh ingredients when making pizzas. During several activities the childminder helps children to explore size, for instance, tiny, small, big, and bigger than. Children spend time observing and learning about living things; they are fascinated by creepy crawlies in the garden. Children enjoy growing tomatoes, collecting leaves to paint and feeding the goats. Through make- This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 believe play in the home corner area, children develop their imagination.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing a positive attitude towards exercise as the childminder ensures they have regular opportunities to be active in the fresh air. In the garden, they spend time steering wheeled toys, climbing, sliding and balancing. They have fun crawling through the tunnel and into the tent.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's home is very clean and well maintained. Children recognise the importance of personal hygiene through established and well organised daily routines. They stand on a step to help them access the sink and soap, and use individual flannels and towels to minimise possible cross-infection. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious meals, which are provided by the childminder. They learn to take responsibility for their own safety as they are taught how to use scissors and other tools, and take part in fire evacuation procedures. As a result, children are adopting healthy lifestyles. Children are well-behaved; the childminder praises them for even the smallest of achievements to promote their confidence and self- esteem. She has close relationships with the children and they are happy in her care. 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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