Home Childcarer in Reading

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY432027 Inspection date 17/01/2012 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 is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their two children aged nine and six years old in Caversham, 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. The family has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder uses all of her house for childminding. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. Her registration permits her to care for five children under eight years and of these three may be in the early years age range, at any one time. She is currently minding three children who are within the early years age range on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care for one child under eight years.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers a warm, welcoming, homely environment to all children and their families. Children are highly motivated, as they enthusiastically enjoy and undertake a wealth of stimulating activities and experiences in an inspiring and challenging environment. As a result, they are making excellent progress in their early learning and development. The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child and provides a fully inclusive service where each child is respected, valued and included. The childminder has made an excellent start at self- evaluating her provision so she can readily identify areas for future improvement, although currently she does not seek the views of all parents on the service she provides. The childminder has a great capacity for improvement as she is committed to attending training to extend her childcare knowledge.

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further?

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

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further?

 extending the self-evaluation systems in place to include the views of parents on the childminding service provided. 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 has an excellent understanding of her role and responsibilities to protect children in her care. She has attended safeguarding training with the local authority so her knowledge and understanding remains up to date and she is very aware of the procedures to follow if she has concerns regarding a child in her care. Meticulously maintained and well implemented risk assessments make certain that children are cared for in a very safe and secure environment. The childminder teaches all children about keeping themselves safe. For example, she regularly completes her fire evacuation procedures with them to make them aware of the steps to take. The childminder demonstrates excellent organisational skills and has a range of highly relevant policies and procedures relating to all aspects of children's welfare in place. These are regularly reviewed and updated as and when required.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very passionate about her work with children and ensures all children receive a play based inspirational environment. She uses her experience and knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage to provide children with an amazing range of learning opportunities and experiences. The childminder organises the indoor and outdoor areas exceptionally well to enable them to access a wide range of stimulating and challenging toys and resources independently. The childminder also uses a local toy library. Children play in an inclusive environment where they have their individual needs met exceptionally well because the childminder has an excellent knowledge of each child's needs, play preferences and personalities. Children are encouraged to recognise diversity and the differing needs of others in a variety of ways. These include discussions with the childminder and playing with an extensive range of resources which promote

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the early years provision

different cultures, the diversity and differences of others.

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the early years provision

The partnership with parents is outstanding. The childminder recognises the importance of working with the parents to address children's interests and development needs and promote their welfare. Parents receive a welcome pack which includes a copy of her policies and procedures, and all consents are obtained from them before their child starts. Parents are kept fully informed of their child's day through the extensive recordings made by the childminder in their individual diaries. Regular newsletters keep parents informed of future activities, outings and other events. Parents make many positive comments in their reference letters. They comment on the stimulating and caring environment provided, the childminders enthusiasm and the amazing places their child visits with her. The childminder has developed partnerships with other settings and childminders involved in the children's lives to help provide continuity of care and learning,

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the early years provision

although currently no children attend any other settings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an extremely professional approach to her work. She has made an excellent start to self-evaluating her provision. She is honest and realistic and highlights areas for future development and improvement. However, she currently does not seek parent's views on the service she provides as part of her self-evaluation. The childminder is highly motivated and committed to improving This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her knowledge and practice. She regularly meets up with other childminders in the area to share ideas and they readily plan together so they consolidate their ideas and experience. All these measures demonstrate her total commitment to further enhancing the outcomes for all the children in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children thrive in the childminder's care and all children benefit from the individual time and attention they receive. All children make excellent progress in this stimulating learning and caring environment. Children are active and independent learners, due to the childminder providing excellent support and her innovative use of resources, to extend and consolidate their learning. All children develop positive attitudes towards learning as all activities provided are fun and based on children's own ideas, interests and abilities. Each child has their own learning journey file which contains examples of their work and photographs. The childminder also includes the observations she makes and she uses these observations to effectively identify the areas of learning covered and the child's next step in their learning. These files are shared with parents and include comments from the parents on their child's development and progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children's spontaneity is immediately recognised by the childminder and effectively used as part of their learning. For example, a child asked if they could make dinosaurs sandwiches so the childminder immediately went and found some dinosaur cutters so the child could make their own dinosaur sandwich. Children's understanding of number, shape and size is developing extremely well. The childminder expertly uses everyday events and planned activities to help them recognise, count and explore a range of different shapes. Children show great delight as they roll the balls through the play tunnel and count the number of balls that appear at the other end. Children are developing many skills for the future. They learn how to push the buttons on road crossings when out and access a range of electronic resources. Regular visits to parks and outings to places of interest enable the children to learn about different environments and nature.

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and outcomes for children

Children's early communication skills are developing exceptionally well. For example, the childminder asks them to name the items they are playing with and asks relevant questions. Children readily snuggle up to her on the sofa as she reads them a story encouraging them to look at the pictures and involving them on the story. The childminder asks them many questions linked to the story, such as what animals they can see in the ocean. She then effectively extends their learning by encouraging them to think about what animals cannot live in the water and why.

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and outcomes for children

Outings to meet up with other childminders and attending toddler groups enable children to socialise with others. Children are beginning to be aware of other cultures as they celebrate a range of festivals and events. The childminder encourages the children to be involved with each festival in many exciting ways for instance, tasting Chinese foods, making lanterns and learning how to say happy This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 New Year in Chinese. Children's behaviour is exemplary. They learn about acceptable behaviour as the childminder is a calm role model who is very committed to promoting good behaviour and manners. The childminder uses positive strategies, such as clear explanation and distraction, to help children begin to be aware to share and take turns. Children readily include her in their play and babies thoroughly enjoy the cuddles and hugs she continually gives them. Children

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and outcomes for children

readily respond to any request from her for instance, to help tidy away the toys. This demonstrates how secure and safe they feel in her home and care.

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and outcomes for children

Children's early independence skills are continually encouraged. For instance, they choose their own fruit for snack time and independently go to the bathroom to wash their hands when required. Children enjoy a range of healthy meals as the childminder refers to guidance books published by an early years food consultant on healthy eating. Posters around the home remind children and their parents of healthy choices including the "five a day" guidance. Children are aware of their own safety. For example, when out, they talk about the road safety procedures to follow and why they must have their shoelaces tied. Children's physical skills are developing exceptionally well as children participate in a range of activities which enable them to them to balance, climb and crawl. 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 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 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 1

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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

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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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