Childminder in Windsor and Maidenhead

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY428312 Inspection date 16/11/2011 Inspector Anne Faithfull

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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 2011. She lives with her partner and three children aged 12 and 10 years and five months in Maidenhead, Berkshire. A very large playroom of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as parks. The family have some guinea pigs, chickens and hamsters. Another registered childminder works with the childminder as her co-childminder.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

When working together with a co-childminder or assistant they may care for a maximum of 10 children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than five may be in the early years age group and of these one may be under one year. They are currently minding 10 children in the early years age group on a part-time basis. Both childminders have equal responsibility for the childminding practice.

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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, settled and secure in the childminder's home. The childminder offers a fully inclusive environment for all children in her care and recognises each child's uniqueness. Children make good progress in their learning and development as the childminder provides a range of stimulating activities and resources. Good partnerships with parents enable them to share most information regarding their child's individual learning and development. The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and works in partnership with her co-childminder to highlight areas for future development to further enhance the outcomes for every child in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the observation and assessment system in place to include information from parents regarding their child's starting points and other achievements already at home or other settings they attend. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her role in safeguarding children and has recently attended training on safeguarding to ensure she has up to date knowledge of child protection issues and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. The childminder has good systems in place to ensure children are kept safe. For example, completing a range of risk assessments for her home and outings the children participate in. The childminder, co-childminder and children regularly practice the fire evacuation procedure to ensure they are all aware of the steps to take. The childminder creates a stimulating environment to appeal to children, for example, organising toys and resources in the very large playroom effectively to enable children to freely access them, which encourages their independence and decision making skills. The childminder thoroughly enjoys her time with the children and uses her knowledge of how children learn and develop

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the early years provision

as they play and explore to provide all children with a varied range of activities, resources and outings which promote their early learning and development. The childminder has a good understanding of her role to promote equality and diversity and all the children to take part in activities, as appropriate to their individual needs and abilities. The children learn about diversity through using a range of appropriate toys and resources and celebrating different cultural festivals. Children's documentation is accurate and up to date, stored securely with all the required legal and parental consents in place. Information on the childminder's and co-childminders policies and procedures is shared with parents to ensure that they have clear understanding of the service provided. The childminder has developed secure working and supportive relationships with all the parents and good communication between them ensures they are fully aware of how their child has

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the early years provision

spent their time and any progress they have made. Parents make many positive comments in their e-emails, thank you cards and reference letters. These include how happy their children are to come in the mornings, the care and support offered when they return to work and the great outdoor area provided. The childminder works in partnership with her co-childminder to establish links with other settings that children attend, to provide consistency and continuity for children's care for example, a teacher from the local school comes to visit the childminder and her co-childminder to meet the children. The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and has attended training since her registration. The childminder has a range of systems to help her evaluate her service such as, asking parents to complete questionnaires and completing the Ofsted self-evaluation with her co-childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is aware that children learn through play and she ensures she has flexible plans and themes in place. The current theme is autumn and the childminder has put in place a number of activities and experiences linked to this theme. These include sponge painting in autumn colours and looking at and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 collecting leaves from the garden. The childminder supports all children well in their learning as she encourages their early interests and inquisitiveness and all children make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder helps children to develop their early communication skills in a variety of ways, such as asking questions and encouraging children to begin to name the animals in the puzzle they are completing with her. The childminder provides fun and interesting ways to encourage children's writing skills, such as asking them to write menus for

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and outcomes for children

the caf. Each child has their own learning journey file where the childminder records the observations she makes and she effectively links these to the areas of learning covered. The childminder readily identifies and records each child's next step and includes these when planning future activities and experiences for the children. However, although the childminder obtains information from parents before their child starts, this does not include information regarding their child's achievements already made in their learning to help her initially identify their starting points. Parents can access their child's file at any time and regular conversations with them help to keep them informed of their child's progress and development. Children use their imagination well in a variety of ways for instance, pretending to cook pizza and sharing the pizza with the other children and adults in the playroom. A range of large photographs displayed around the playroom help to

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and outcomes for children

give children a sense of belonging as they show them participating in a range of activities and events, such as conga dancing and making hats. Children are developing an understanding of how to care and look after animals as they help the childminder look after the chickens and readily collect the eggs they have laid. Children are beginning to be aware of environmental issues and developing skills for the future as they can access a laptop and they plant and look after a range of fruit and vegetables in the childminders garden. They celebrate a range of festivals and events to help them gain an understanding of different cultures for example, helping to create a wall display to celebrate Diwali. Children who attend with English as an additional language are supported well as the childminder liaises with the parents to learn words in their home language. The childminder's calm and caring manner helps children to feel settled, confident

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and outcomes for children

and secure. All children receive regular praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements, which helps to boost their self-esteem and confidence. They have developed a secure relationship with the childminder and are forming good relationships with each other and the childminders own young child. The younger children are beginning to be aware of the boundaries in place and the childminder uses effective strategies, such as distraction. Children are developing an awareness of the lives of others as they celebrate different festivals and events in their own lives. For example, celebrating a child's birthday by having a piece of birthday cake they had bought in. Children talk about events in their own lives, such as talking about their new shoes and showing them to the other children and visitors. Good manners are encouraged and children are beginning to remember to say please and thank you when appropriate and to share toys with others. Children are

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and outcomes for children

beginning to be aware of their own and each other's safety as the childminder gently reminds them of safety issues while they play and when on outings. Children are well nourished. They have a range of fruit at snack time and enjoy eating the healthy meals the childminder provides. Children tell visitors to the home about their favourite food the childminder provides and all children are able to eat at their own pace with good support if required. The childminder works with This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parents to make sure she meets their child's individual needs, for example, encouraging a child to try new foods. Children are aware of the health and hygiene procedures in place, such as, washing their hands after touching the chicken eggs. Children have many opportunities to develop their physical skills, for example, going for walks in the local woods looking for insects and playing on the outdoor

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and outcomes for children

equipment in the garden. 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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