Childminder in Wokingham

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 148331 Inspection date 09/11/2011 Inspector Anne Faithfull

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 registered in 1994. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children in Lower Earley, Berkshire. The childminder makes use of local facilities, such as parks and toddler groups. The childminder can take children to and collect them from local schools.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding with provision for children to sleep on the first floor bedroom. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. Her registration permits her to care for six children under eight years and of these three may be in the early year's age range, at any one time, and she is currently minding three children who are within the early year's age range on a part-time basis.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children's sense of belonging is expertly fostered though the warm, welcoming and homely atmosphere. The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and provides a fully inclusive service for the children and their families. An exceptional range of activities, outings and resources ensures that every child is a competent learner who is confident, feels included, safe and valued. Excellent partnerships with parents and other professionals are in place to ensure each child's individual needs are recognised and met. The childminder has an effective observation and assessment system in place. However, currently she does not invite parents to contribute their views on their child's development at home or while in her care. The childminder has very effective systems in place to evaluate her service and is totally committed to continuous improvement and development.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 extend the assessment system in place by inviting parents to contribute their ideas and views regarding their child's development and learning.

p.4

the early years provision

Children's welfare is of paramount importance to the childminder who has excellent systems in place to assure their safety and well-being. Policies, procedures and records are very well-organised and updated frequently to secure the safe and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 efficient management of her provision and to meet children's needs. Risk assessments, fire practices and daily routines maintain high standards of health and safety both within the house and on all outings. The childminder has a very clear understanding of her child protection responsibilities. She ensures her knowledge and understanding remains up-to-date so she is aware of the procedures to follow in the event of any concerns to safeguard children. Her excellent organisational skills ensure the environment and activities are ready for children on their arrival. This allows her to dedicate her time to supervising,

p.4

the early years provision

interacting, observing and enjoying the children. Children can independently access a wide range of stimulating toys and resources which successfully help to promote all areas of their individual learning and development. Children play in an inclusive environment where they have their individual needs met exceptionally well by the childminder as she has an excellent knowledge of each child's needs, play preferences and personalities. Families are welcomed into the childminder's home and she takes a great interest in their lives, giving children a sense of belonging and feeling valued. Children are encouraged to recognise diversity and the differing needs of others in a variety of ways. These include playing with an extensive range of resources which promote different cultures and the diversity of others. The childminder also takes children to different places of worship and children thoroughly enjoy attending a range of different religious

p.5

the early years provision

festivals and events in the local community. Excellent partnerships are developed with parents. The childminder recognises the importance of working with the parents to ensure children's individual needs and welfare are fully recognised and promoted. Parents receive a copy of her policies and procedures before their child starts and sign to say they have received and read them. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's day through verbal discussion and the daily dairy. Parents make many positive comments in their reference letters. These include how extremely happy their chid is in her care, the clean, safe and homely environment provided and the range of activities and outings she provides which help their children to learn and develop. All parents comment on the childminders patience and caring manner and they would highly recommend her to others. Successful systems are in place to liaise with the other

p.5

the early years provision

settings the children attend. For example, the childminder regularly talks to the staff and shows them the plans she has in place and the progress each child is making while in her care to ensure consistency and continuity in their learning and development. The childminder is committed to ongoing development and has already identified that she would like to use her experience gained over many years as a childminder to help her obtain a childcare qualification. The childminder monitors her practice extremely well. Her completion of the Ofsted self- evaluation was honest and realistic and totally reflected the outstanding service she provides to children and their families.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children make excellent progress in their early learning and development as the childminder uses her extensive knowledge and many years experience of how This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children learn through play to provide an extensive range of resources, activities and experiences. Observation and assessment systems in place effectively identify where each child is in their learning and are used extremely well to identify their individual next step. Each child has their own learning book which contains the observations the childminder has made, photographs of the children and the areas of learning covered. These are shared with the parents; however, currently the childminder does not invite them to make comments on their child's progress made at home. The childminder monitors children's progress towards the early learning goals very well, and ensures they have an excellent breadth of learning

p.5

and outcomes for children

experiences in all areas. She promotes an immensely child-centred environment where children's ideas are respected and discussed, and they take an active involvement in deciding what activity to do next. For example, children asked if they could play with the play dough before they participated in the painting session the childminder had planned. The childminder readily responded and provided them with the play dough and enabled the children to paint later during the day if they wished. Children participate in a range of exceptional outings that encourage their early development in a variety of environments. For example, visiting museums, local farms and going to London on the train and bus. The childminder further extends children's interests by taking them to Paddington station where they can see Paddington bear, a favourite book character of theirs. Children's mathematical and problem solving skills are developing very well as the childminder provides them

p.6

and outcomes for children

with a range of fun activities, such as following a pirates treasure map and counting the number of leaves they collect on their walks. Children are beginning to recognise shape, colour and size as they readily respond to the questions the childminder asks, such as the colour of the play dough they are using and the different shapes they make with the cutters. Children learn very well about the natural world, for instance through their daily walks, planting and growing items in the garden and picking blackberries to use in their cooking sessions. Children are beginning to develop and be aware of skills for the future as they use large re- cycled cardboard boxes in their imaginative play and they are beginning to learn how to operate a range of electronic resources and pedestrian crossings. All children are totally included and respected. They all respond very well to the childminder's warm, caring and affectionate approach. They readily cuddle up to

p.6

and outcomes for children

her on the sofa while she reads them a favourite story and she takes time to listen to what they have to say. Children readily help the childminder to tidy away and include each other in their play. They are well-behaved and show care and respect for each other. They have a good understanding of the house and safety rules in place, such as taking their shoes off when they come in. Children demonstrate how safe and secure they feel in the childminder's care and readily greet visitors to her home and talk about the other children who attend. Children's artwork is attractively displayed as soon as they have finished as the childminder hangs them on the wall to dry and this also gives them a sense of belonging and pride in their achievements. Children are kept safe, secure and free from the risk of illness and cross infection because the childminder implements her extremely good health and safety procedures very well. Children learn about different aspects of personal safety

p.6

and outcomes for children

through gentle reminders from the childminder. The childminder encourages children from an early age to develop a good relationship with food. She effectively supports children so they enjoy their mealtimes and they are able to choose which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fruits they wish to eat at snack time. They readily try a range of foods including those from different countries which they thoroughly enjoy. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills as they use a range of utensils in their art and craft sessions and they regularly play in the garden or in the park on a range of outdoor equipment, such as slides and tunnels. 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.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

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

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.8

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

p.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9