Childminder in Windsor and MaidenheadOfsted inspection, 16 Nov 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 108294 Inspection date 16/11/2011 Inspector Amanda Shedden

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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 1997. She lives with her husband and one adult son in Maidenhead, Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years. Of these, three children may be in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for four children in the early years age group most are on a part time basis. She is also caring for older children after school and the occasional holiday. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks, the library and toddler groups. The family have fish in an enclosed pond outside.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The children are happy and contented with the experienced childminder, who knows the children well, which enables them to make satisfactory progress in their learning. However, developmental observations on the children are not used effectively to plan further activities. Relationships with parents are strong, overall, although partnerships with other early years' providers are less effective. All children are fully included and their needs met. The childminder has evaluated her practice and made some changes that benefit the 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 systematic and routine approach to using observations and assessment to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress and regularly review this approach.  improve the systems to work together with other practitioners to support transition and consistency between settings  develop systems to enable parents to review their children's progress regularly and contribute to their child's learning and development

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the early years provision

The childminder is very secure in her knowledge of how to safeguard children. She has created robust risk assessments for her home and venues she visits with the children whom she always fully supervises. She has a secure understanding of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedure to follow if she had a concern over a child. The childminder has ensured that the children and parents are aware of her emergency person who the children would stay with if an emergency were to happen to her. She has created a range of policies and procedures to support her practise that she shares with the parents.

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the early years provision

This is an inclusive setting where the children's differences are acknowledged; each child is treated as an individual and childminder encourages their development according to their individual needs. Young children are beginning to gain an understanding of the wider world. The childminder has evaluated her practice and made some changes to her policies and procedures. She has undertaken courses to improve her knowledge in food hygiene and safeguarding in the last year which will benefit the children.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a wide range of good quality resources that are suitable to their stage of development. They are displayed in a manner to encourage children to choose independently and the childminder changes them frequently to ensure the children stay interested and have different experiences. Partnership with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage is satisfactory; discussions take place to support the children in their welfare needs however their achievements are not shared. The relationships with the parents are strong and contribute to the child's well being. When children start parents are given information about the childminders practise and they decide between them a settling in period, however the children's starting points are not noted. Verbal information is exchanged each day to ensure that children have continuity of care and parents are aware of the experience their children are having. They are aware that observations are taken

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the early years provision

on their children however, they do not contribute to or discuss any next steps that may have been identified. Parents appreciate the care and range of activities and experiences the childminder offers their children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They develop strong relationships with her due to the nurturing environment which means the children feel secure. The childminder has started to take observations on the children however her knowledge of how to link them to the six area of learning is limited therefore they are not linked effectively to ensure that all areas of the curriculum are being offered equally. Next steps are not regularly identified. However, the childminders individual knowledge of each child enables her to support their learning through their play helping them develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children are offered a balance of adult and child-led experiences. They attend groups where they learn to socialise with other children of a similar age. They attend music and singing sessions which they thoroughly enjoy. Whilst in the home they are encouraged to self-select from the range of appropriate resources or undertake focused activities that the childminder has planned. The childminder sits with the children supporting their development for instance when matching pictures of fruit to toy ones. They are encouraged to repeat the words building on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their vocabulary.

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and outcomes for children

Children especially enjoy using the musical instruments they have self-selected. They use the blocks to build with and sort the rings out into sizes to enable them to be stacked correctly. The positive interaction from the childminder encourages them to concentrate and persevere. Children are becoming aware of healthy lifestyles, from a very early age. Each day they enjoy the fresh air at the different venues they are taken to. They are becoming independent in their self-care skills and dry their hands on their own towels which are hung below a photograph of themselves, minimising any cross infection. Parents provide their meals which are stored and served at the correct temperature. Their drinks are placed on mats with their photograph on enabling even young children to choose their own cup. 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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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