Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY426680 Inspection date 05/12/2011 Inspector Aileen Finan

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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 three children aged two, six and eight years of age in Gerrards Cross, Buckinghamshire. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a small dog as a pet. The childminder walks and drives to local schools to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time; of which two may be in the early years age group. Currently the childminder has three children on roll on part- time basis.

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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

The childminder has evaluated her provision well and acted upon recommendations discussed at her registration visit to demonstrate a strong capacity for continuous improvement. She has put in place rigorous policies, procedures and risk assessments to help keep children safe and promote their health and well-being. Overall she has established good partnerships with parents but has yet to fully establish partnerships with other providers in order to complement and support children's development fully. The childminder provides a range of activities that support most aspects of children's learning well. As a result overall, children are making good progress in their learning.

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further?

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

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further?

 establish further links with other early years setting, children attend to promote continuity of care and learning  extend the opportunities for children to show curiosity and interest by exploring their local surroundings and community.

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the early years provision

The childminder has clear policies in place to ensure the welfare of children. She shares these with parents so that consequently they are aware of the procedures which help to keep their children safe and support their well-being. All reasonable steps are taken to ensure that children are safe indoors and out as the childminder has effective and robust risk assessments and takes action to minimise risks. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's personal information is maintained confidentially. The childminder understands her responsibilities to liaise with the appropriate child agencies should her procedures identify any child at risk of harm. Documentation for children's attendance, accidents and medication are completed appropriately. Parents understand the role of Ofsted as the regulator.

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the early years provision

The childminder has effectively evaluated her provision of care and has fully taken into account recommendations discussed at her registration visit. Her plans for the future are realistic and well targeted. She has a clear understanding of her strengths and minor weaknesses. The childminder has good relationships with parents and is already considering how these relationships can be extended in order to provide parents with more opportunities to share their views and further support children's development. There are clear channels for parents to communicate with the childminder and for the childminder to feedback timely and accurate information about the children. Partnerships with other providers are less well established but the childminder has made links with schools and nurseries/pre-schools which children in her care also attend. However, to date the links to complement how children are progressing in their learning and

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the early years provision

Children are provided with a range of activities and resources which children can easily access. These resources are suitable for the age and stage of development of the children. The childminder proactively swaps resources with another provider; and consequently children engage with a wider range of resources which are attributable to their learning. The childminder divides her time well and plans for children in relation to their starting points and welfare needs/routines. Her home provides a welcoming environment which in turn is conducive to children's development and ensures they are safe and well cared for. The childminder promotes equality and diversity well and has started to use learning activities to teach children about others' similarities and differences. She has a good knowledge of children's backgrounds and individual needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's company. They are confident to approach her for help and assistance and to chat to her about their day. The childminder is a good role model and speaks warmly to the children, who are consequently content in their environment and feel secure. The childminder takes into account children's routines and plans for these accordingly. Children take part in a range of activities both indoors and outside of the home. These include cooking and messy play and visits to toddler groups and parks.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses her knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage to plan for children's ongoing development and activities are planned for all areas of learning. There are however, fewer opportunities for children to find out about their local surroundings and community during everyday This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 outings. Observations are made on children and these give a detailed account of how children are progressing, complemented with photographs and notes to inform the childminder of children's next steps. Since her registration the childminder has given consideration of how to extend children's development and future plans are to share children's progress more formally with their parents, which will consequently enhance the outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children understand the 'rules' of the home and proudly explain these at inspection; for example having good manners and not snatching. Children understand about safety issues and daily opportunities are made to talk about enhancing safety awareness; for example about sitting on chairs and talking about safe places to cross the road. This in turn provides children with the independence to consider their own safety and that of those around them. Children are well behaved; and are beginning to demonstrate a real sense of belonging to their environment. They display confidence and self esteem and have started to form positive relationships with one another and understand about the diversity of the world in which they live.

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and outcomes for children

Children have started to understand about healthy lifestyles. They recognise the benefits of fresh air and exercise and are given daily opportunities to play in the garden, walk to and from school/pre-school and play in the park. Children have started to make choices about their snacks and meals they are provided with; and enjoy healthy and nutritious meals. With reminders, they understand the need to blow noses and dispose of the tissue.

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and outcomes for children

Children can access their toys and resources easily. They demonstrate enjoyment in their learning, for example by working with one another to put the train track together and building bridges for the train to go under. They enjoy books, singing and action rhyming songs in planned activities throughout the week. Children play well independently and are developing strongly in their communication and literacy skills. Using electronic toys children confidently trace over letters and listen to instructions. They happily ask for help or ask why something isn't working. Therefore, they are becoming curious and inquisitive learners. 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 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 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 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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