Childminder in West Berkshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY424598 Inspection date 11/10/2011 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 2011. She lives with her husband and two step children aged nine and eight years in Tilehurst, near Reading, Berkshire. The ground floor of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

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 six children under eight years at any one time. The childminder is currently minding six children in the early years age group. The childminder also cares for older children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is prepared to take and collect children from local schools.

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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 are happy and secure with the childminder and clearly enjoy spending time with her. The childminder provides children with opportunities to make good progress across all areas of their learning as they become happily occupied in their play. Children's ideas and interests are taken into account through a variety of activities and experiences that support their welfare, learning and development. The childminder recognizes the unique qualities of each child, knows them well and has begun to plan for their next steps. The childminder understands how building links with parents and others involved in the children's care benefits the children. She demonstrates enthusiasm and motivation, that alongside further training and reflections on her practice, result in a clear commitment to continuous improvement

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems for observation and assessment in order to identify next steps to inform future planning.

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the early years provision

Children move around confidently in the safe and secure environment. They play happily with a wide range of easily accessible toys and resources that are appropriate for their age of stage of development. All children and their families are welcomed warmly, their needs well met as the childminder offers an inclusive This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 service. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues and procedures to follow if she has any concerns about children in her care and ensures adults visiting the house are never left unsupervised with the children. The childminder has completed comprehensive risk assessments that identify possible hazards and steps taken to minimize them in her home and on outings. Parents have clear expectations as they discuss the comprehensive policies and procedures that underpin good practice. All children's details and documentation are stored

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the early years provision

securely with confidentiality maintained at all times.

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the early years provision

The childminder recognises the value of sharing all information with parents and others involved in the children's care. For example, she requests feedback from parents and has made herself known to staff at schools the children attend. Parents readily express the regard with which they hold the childminder through their comments. For example, her ability to effectively adapt the care to the specific needs of the children provides a safe and stimulating environment and enhances the children's happiness and comfort. The childminder is enthusiastic, motivated and thinks about her practices, identifying strengths and areas for development. She demonstrates commitment, as she has already undertaken further training, for example, developing phonic skills, with the local authority. She is also booked onto future courses and recognises that building on her experience, knowledge and skills will be of benefit to the children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with good opportunities to help them make progress across all areas of learning and development indoors and outside. They play in an environment that is conducive to their learning, as they have good access to age- appropriate toys and resources from which to self select. Children's work is attractively displayed, helping children feel valued endowing them with a sense of belonging. For example, to ensure children feel included, each child has drawn a picture of their own face that greets them as they enter the childminder's home. Daily verbal discussions, a daily diary, routines, planned outings and a weekly menu are displayed, to provide parents with clear information about their child's day. The childminder offers children a wide range of activities that follow their interests to ensure they remain engaged in their play. She knows the children well, makes observations and requests information from parents about events and

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and outcomes for children

achievements at home. However, while systems for recording children's development through observations and assessment are in place, they do not as yet fully identify next steps to inform specific future planning needs. The childminder develops close relationships with the children. She understands how to promote children's language and social skills, such as turn taking in conversation; for example, young children babble and then stop and wait for the childminder to respond. The childminder is on hand to support children at all times, encouraging them to be independent, as she allows them time and space to try things out for themselves and praises their achievements when they succeed, boosting their confidence in their developing skills and abilities. The childminder regularly meets with other early years providers and attends several groups, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

providing opportunities for children to find out about local community and develop their social skills. Children's awareness of the wider world and its diversity is promoted by the childminder's positive attitude, and through resources such as welcome posters, photographs, dressing up clothes, books, toys and games from around the world. Children have good access to books; regularly visit the local library for rhyme time and to select what they want to read. They use brushes and magnetic sketch pads to make marks, and begin to understand the written word has meaning, as they see posters around the home. Children solve problems as they play, building with construction resources, working out how to fit a selection of pots and pans into the play oven and enjoying puzzles. Children develop future skills, as they have access to a children's computer and a range of interactive toys. They happily press buttons, moving rhythmically to the music and clapping hands

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and outcomes for children

with delight as they listen to a variety of sounds. Children adopt a healthy lifestyle and begin to find out about the natural world, as they regularly go for walks, collect acorns and conkers and talk about what they see outdoors.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is managed in a sensitive way and the childminder makes good use of discussion and distraction to encourage the children to think through the consequences of their actions. Children are praised frequently, for example, when they share toys. Posters displaying simple house rules in picture form help even young children to see and understand what is expected of them. Children demonstrate an increasing understanding of keeping themselves safe, as they negotiate a small step into the playroom and talk about road safety when they collect older children from school. The childminder provides children's snacks and meals, offering healthy and nutritious choices and encouraging young children to drink regularly. Food posters on the fridge door help them begin to recognise which foods are good for them. The childminder has effective procedures to help prevent the spread of infection, for example, each child has an individual hand

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and outcomes for children

towel and can independently use the bathroom, where a brightly coloured poster reminds them to wash their hands. 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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