Childminder in Wokingham

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY253395 Inspection date 20/02/2012 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 2003. 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 five children aged 14, 11, eight, four years and one year in Lower 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor of the house for childminding and an enclosed, rear garden is available for outside play. Her registration permits her to care for four children under eight years; of these, two may be in the early years age range at any one time. She is currently minding one child who is in 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers a very welcoming home-from-home environment to all children and their families. She is extremely well organised and nurtures each child so that they are fully included, feel safe and flourish in her care. The childminder clearly understands that children learn through play and provides them with exceptional and exciting range of learning opportunities, activities and outings. As a consequence, children are making excellent progress in their leaning and development and their needs are outstandingly met. The childminder has an extensive range of self-evaluation systems in place, although she does not fully seek views of parents and children on her provision. The childminder very successfully maintains high standards and her exceptional capacity for improvement as she continually extends and develops 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 fully include the views of parents and children on the quality of the learning, development and care provided.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded extremely well, as the childminder is fully aware of her role and responsibilities to protect children. She is very aware of procedures to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 follow if she has concerns regarding a child. The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding about how to support children to feel and keep safe. She is aware of children's individual characters and ensures she responds to these. For example, she reassures children who get upset when their parents leave. Children move freely and safely between areas of the childminder's home because she conducts comprehensive risk assessments for her home and outings. The safety checks completed each day further help to ensure all hazards are identified and minimised. The childminder supports all children's learning about keeping themselves safe. For example, she regularly completes her fire evacuation

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the early years provision

procedures with them so each is aware of the fire alarm's sound and exits to use. The childminder demonstrates excellent, organisational skills and has a range of highly relevant policies and procedures, relating to all aspects of children's welfare.

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the early years provision

The deployment of resources is excellent. Older children readily access the resources they wish to use from the very child orientated playroom; these are displayed in containers with photographs of the contents. Younger children begin to make their own decisions regarding what to play with as the childminder places containers on the floor in areas they use. Equality and diversity are promoted exceptionally well. The childminder takes great care that each child's uniqueness is recognised, valued and promoted. Children are encouraged to recognise diversity and the differing needs of others in excellent ways. These include discussions about the different clothes and costumes people wear and why.

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the early years provision

The childminder has an extremely professional approach to her work. She has many years valuable experience that are clearly demonstrated by the calm, enabling way she works with children. She works closely with a number of local childminders. This is to provide children with a greater range of activities and to enable her to share good practices with other like-minded professionals. The childminder has extensive systems in place to monitor and evaluate her practice. Her completion of the Ofsted self-evaluation is honest and realistic and helps her to identify her strengths and areas for future improvement. However, she does not fully seek parents and children's views on her service, as part of her self- evaluation.

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the early years provision

Highly positive relationships with other settings children attend ensure continuity of care and learning. The childminder readily goes into settings to talk to staff and children proudly show her their art work on the wall. Excellent relationships are developed with parents. The childminder recognises the importance of working with parents to ensure children's interests and development needs are addressed and their welfare fully promoted. Parents receive information through verbal communication each day and they have regular access to their child's file to keep them informed of their child's progress and development. Parents make many highly positive comments in their reference letters. These include how extremely happy their children are, the childminder's wonderful caring and calm nature and the variety of activities and outings offered. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children relish the time with the childminder and her family. They are very confident and at home in this exceptional, caring environment. Children develop a very secure sense of belonging as, for example, their art work is attractively displayed. There is an excellent balance of adult- and child-led activities and experiences based around play. Children develop highly positive attitudes towards learning as all activities and outings are fun and based on their own ideas and abilities. Flexible planning totally reflects their interests and spontaneity. The childminder uses observations most effectively to plan for children's next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are fully challenged to have a go themselves first before the childminder offers support and guidance. Children use their imagination very well, for example, pretending to be explorers in the woods and using small world resources in their role play. Children's understanding of number, shape and size is developing extremely well. The childminder expertly uses everyday events and planned activities for counting and exploring different shapes. Shopping trips enable children to independency find and pay for items they have chosen. Children develop very good creative skills in a variety of ways including using paint brushes on the patio. The childminder continually helps children develop communication skills, asking questions about their play and discussing special events, including pancake day.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain excellent awareness of other people as they find library books about other cultures and celebrate different festivals. They talk about special events in their own lives, such as christenings and school holiday outings. Meeting other childminders and attending toddler groups very well enable children to socialise and become aware of the local community. The childminder is very patient, continually giving praise and encouragement so that children develop excellent confidence and self-esteem. Children are extremely well behaved, readily sharing and taking turns. They care for the childminder's children and spontaneously follow routines, including taking off their shoes at the door. Children readily approach the childminder and show great delight when they sit on her lap for a cuddle and a chat.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop excellent skills for the future. They access a very wide range of electronic resources and learn to dress independently. Exciting visits to parks and outings to places of interest fully enable children to learn about different environments and nature. Children develop a healthy lifestyle through the very effective procedures in place; for example, they talk about washing their hands to get rid of the germs before they eat. Children receive healthy snacks and meals their parents or the childminder provides and access a drink whenever they require. Children readily talk to the childminder about the favourite banana bread in their lunchbox and the childminder skilfully extends their conversation by asking how they made this. Children gain excellent physical skills as they use an extensive range of equipment and have great fun kicking balls in the park. Children gain an outstanding awareness of their own safety as the childminder is very vigilant. They

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 hear consistent reminders about safety issues while they play and discuss road safety procedures when they are out walking. 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 1 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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