Childminder in Wokingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY434683 Inspection date 30/01/2012 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 one child aged 17 months in Earley, 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 three cats. The childminder supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder uses the downstairs of the house for childminding. An enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. Her registration permits her to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time and, of these, two may be in the early years age range, and she is currently minding one child who is within the early years age range on a 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

Children are happy and settled with the childminder as she offers a welcoming and calm family environment. All children are supported well as the childminder recognises each child's individuality and uniqueness. Children are making good progress as the childminder provides them with a broad range of activities, resources and outings. Good partnerships are in place with the parents and most information is obtained from them before their child starts. The childminder is committed to continuous development as she has already attended training since her registration. She has made a good start at self-evaluating her practice to ensure she can identify key strengths and areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the assessment system in place by obtaining information from parents regarding the progress and achievements their child has already made at home or in other settings.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well in the childminder's care. She is vigilant and has a good understanding of her role in safeguarding children and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care. The childminder ensures children do not have access to unvetted persons and all visitors to her home are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 requested to show their identification. The childminder ensures children play in a safe environment as she has a range of procedures in place, these include a range of written risk assessments. The completion of a daily safety check supports any hazards are identified and minimised. Children can independently access a variety of good quality age appropriate resources in the areas they use to help motivate their early learning and development.

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the early years provision

Equality and diversity is promoted well by the childminder and she is committed to providing an inclusive environment for all children and their families. The childminder encourages all the children to value and respect each other's differences. Children who attend with specific educational needs and/or disabilities are supported well and the childminder takes into consideration their differing needs each day when planning daily activities, outings and experiences. Children are encouraged to begin to be aware of the lives, differences and cultures of others. For example, through a variety of resources and children go on outings with a friend of the childminder's who uses a wheelchair. The childminder also respects parents' wishes regarding the festivals and events their children participate in. The childminder is committed to continuous development and has already attended training to update her knowledge of how to safeguard children

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the early years provision

since her registration. The childminder has made a good start at evaluating her service. She is able to identify her strengths and areas that require further development for instance, extending her knowledge regarding children special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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the early years provision

The childminder establishes open, professional relationships with parents that are also warm and supportive. All parents receive a copy of her policies and procedures via an e-mail and the parents' information pack given to them. Daily discussions and the daily diary keep the parents informed about how their child has spent their time with the childminder. Parents make many positive comments in their reference letters. These include how kind, approachable, organised and sensitive the childminder is and the happy and caring environment offered. Parents also comment on how she meets their child's specific needs and requirements. The childminder effectively develops partnerships with other settings and professionals involved with each child to ensure their continuity of care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, confident, secure and safe. All children are included and have their individual needs met effectively. Children make good progress in their learning and development as the childminder provides a varied range of fun activities, outings and experiences. For example, children thoroughly enjoy blowing bubbles and making spaceships and rockets out of boxes. The childminder is very aware children learn through play and her planning and daily routines are flexible to take into account the different needs, preferences, abilities and interests of all the children who attend. The childminder has implemented an observation and assessment system to help her identify where each child is in their early learning and development. However, she does not currently request information from This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parents about their child's achievements already made at home or other settings

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and outcomes for children

they attend. Each child has their own assessment file which contains photographs of the children participating in a range of activities and experiences. The childminder also links her observations to the different areas of learning and uses these to help her identify children's next step in their individual learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children's early number skills are developing well as the childminder uses number cards, everyday events and number rhymes to encourage the children to count. Children use their imagination well and have great fun making a fort out of boxes or cooking in the pretend kitchen. Children's early communication skills are developing well as the childminder encourages children to make the sounds of the animals they are talking about The childminder effectively uses open-ended questions to further develop their skill for example asking what is that and where is it as they play. The childminder and children are also learning sign language together so they can communicate to each other in a different way. Children have many different opportunities to begin to be aware of nature for example, they go on walks and visit local county parks where they look for the different birds and animals. Children are beginning to be aware of skills for the future. They access a

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and outcomes for children

range of electronic toys and they help the childminder re-cycle items and the paper they have used into the correct container.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to be aware of other cultures as they celebrate a range of different festivals and events in their lives. The childminder has learnt some familiar words for children who attend with English as an additional language to help them feel settled. Children are well behaved and are beginning to be aware of the boundaries in place. The childminder continually offers praise and encouragement and this helps their self-esteem and the children have developed trusting and secure relationships with her and her own child. Visits to local toddler groups enable children to play and socialise with others. Children are aware of each other's safety as the childminder gently reminds them of safety issues both in the home and when on outings for example, talking to them why they should not put bubble mixture in their mouths and about road safety procedures. Children are well nourished. They eat healthy snacks and meals the childminder or their parents

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and outcomes for children

provide and they can independently access their drink when they require. The childminder readily works with parents to help them deal with any specific eating or diet requirements. Children's physical skills are developing well as they use a range of equipment and through the use of outdoor suits they can play outside in all weathers. 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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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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