Childminder in Windsor and Maidenhead

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY431427 Inspection date 24/01/2011 Inspector Lynne Lewington

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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 was registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and two children in Maidenhead. The ground floor of the property is used for play and the bedrooms for rest. A secure garden is available for outdoor play. Local parks, shops and schools are within easy walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, and of these, no more than two may be in the early years age range. She may provide overnight care for no more than two children under eight years old at any one time. Currently, there are three children on roll in the early years age group. She can take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools and she attends local activities for children.

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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 provides a warm and welcoming family environment for children's care, learning and play. Children are very happy and relaxed and have good opportunities to progress in all areas of their development. Policies and procedures promote inclusive practice and documentation to support the childminder's practice is very well organised. While partnerships with parents are strong, those with others are less developed. The childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is good and she is keen to access training to further develop her own knowledge and skills.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the two-way flow of information with others caring for the children to involve them more in children's learning.

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the early years provision

Parents are all made aware of the childminder's role in safeguarding through her policy document. She has a good awareness of safeguarding issues and the action to take if concerned about a child in her care. A comprehensive risk assessment covers all aspects of the provision and outings they undertake, indicating the childminder is very safety conscious. The premises are spotlessly clean and well maintained, providing a safe and attractive environment for both care and play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children easily access age-appropriate, good quality, toys and resources increasing their independence and early learning skills.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity is promoted effectively as the childminder ensures she has a comprehensive understanding of each individual in her care. This helps her to plan effectively for their care and learning, enabling them to make good progress. Children go on many outings in the local community where they meet various adults and children, developing their ability to accept and respect people's differences. The childminder develops highly positive relationships with parents. She talks to them daily to share information, uses daily diaries and provides regular opportunities for them to view the children's scrapbooks. Parents report positively on the service offered. The childminder shows understanding of the importance of developing partnerships with some others, such as schools and pre- schools. However, she has not considered how to share information with others such as grandparents, who also provide care for the children, in order to fully

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the early years provision

The childminder has made a good start to her childminding business. She is very well organised and maintains all the required records and policies in an easily accessible and yet confidential manner. She demonstrates a good awareness of her role and is keen to continuously develop. The childminder's self-evaluation demonstrates a realistic awareness of her strengths and areas for development indicating she will continue to develop the service. She is proactive in reading relevant literature and is also seeking further training opportunities.

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and outcomes for children

Simple sensible routines help children to develop their awareness of safe behaviour. Children have easy independent access to a wide variety of age- appropriate good quality toys and resources. They learn not to climb and run indoors and to use the toys safely through gentle reminders and good example. A fire evacuation is undertaken regularly, ensuring children and the childminder can swiftly leave the premises if they need to. Children enjoy a healthy nutritious diet of home cooked food each day. The childminder takes into account dietary needs and plans a menu suitable to meet individual needs. She ensures children have a variety of fruit and vegetables every day and easy access to drinks of water throughout the day. Good hygiene routines such as hand washing and nose wiping are encouraged effectively to help prevent the spread of germs. Children develop healthy lifestyles through good opportunities to develop physical skills both in the

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and outcomes for children

fresh air and indoors, and the children become confident in their abilities. Children behave well as the childminder encourages them to learn to share, take turns and respect themselves and others. She sets a good example to the children in both her behaviour and the way in which she talks to them.

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and outcomes for children

The clear observations and photographic records maintained in the children's scrapbooks indicate the varied experiences and good progress they are making across all areas of learning. Good care is taken to plan experiences and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunities that consolidate and extend children's development. These records are available for parents to see and their comments are welcome.

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and outcomes for children

Children relate well to the childminder as she sits on the floor to observe and play with them. She models language well, providing a commentary, introducing new words and meanings to them. She encourages their language through open questions and attentive listening. She uses facial expression well to support her communication, encouraging children to respond. Children enjoy simple stories and books as they sit cuddled on her lap. This warm nurturing experience also provides children with the opportunity to extend their imagination, identify with characters and develop an awareness of the written word. They have access to a variety of opportunities to make marks. The childminder's interaction with the children encourages their awareness of shape, position and size. For example, as the young children watch and try to catch bubbles she uses words such as small, big, tiny, above, behind. Using these words during the activity helps the children to

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and outcomes for children

associate the words with their meaning. Children have opportunities to sing and dance. For example, very young children independently make an interactive toy play a tune and then dance to the music. The positive praise and encouragement encourages children to repeat the action. Opportunities to use dough enable children to create their own models, make patterns, shapes, and develop physical skills as they use tools. Knowledge and understanding of the world increases as children learn about the natural world in their activities and on their outings. Children develop their senses and increase a feeling of well-being through opportunities to play outdoors and go for walks. They undertake cooking activities such as making bread, where they see the ingredients change to something nice to eat. They develop curiosity as they marvel at the bubbles as they disappear in their hands when they catch them. 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 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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