Childminder in Slough

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY421131 Inspection date 28/02/2012 Inspector Keriann Belcher

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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 husband and two young children in Slough. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor flat for childminding. There is no outdoor play area so the childminder regularly takes the children to the local park and outside amenities. The childminder is registered to care for five children under eight years at any one time, of whom only two may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child in the early years age range on roll. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are secure and happy as the childminder treats them with kindness and organises a safe environment. There are effective relationships between parents and the childminder to meet children's individual needs. Although the childminder has a sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage, she is not using observations of children's learning effectively. Overall, children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. They sometimes lack effective support when English is an additional language and resources do not reflect all aspects of diversity. The childminder reflects adequately on her practice to maintain steady continuous improvement for the benefit of children and families.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the use of observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant experiences for each child across the six areas of learning  extend the range of resources and positive images that challenge children's thinking and help them to embrace differences including disabilities  develop an awareness and plan an enabling environment for the needs of children learning English as an additional language.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands the importance of safeguarding children and she has child protection policies and procedures in place. She shares these with parents to ensure that they are also aware of her responsibility to protect children from harm. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 She also keeps a record of any visitors and this contributes to protecting children from harm. Detailed written risk assessments are in place for all areas of the childminder's home and for outings within the local area. Children are able to play safely, as the childminder takes positive steps to reduce any hazards. For example, she locks kitchen and bathroom cupboards, which prevents children from having unsupervised access. In addition, she has an evacuation plan for the home, which she practises with the children. This helps them learn how to keep themselves safe in an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to self-evaluate her practice adequately. She has a sound understanding of the importance of continuous improvement to provide better outcomes for children. She has clear ideas for future improvement. These include attending future training events to keep updated with practice issues. The childminder seeks the views of the parents as part of the self-evaluation process. Parents remark that their children are happy in her care.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are good, as the childminder engages effectively with them to ensure she is aware of their child's individual needs. Parents are very well informed about their child's day through written and verbal communication. There are currently no children in the childminder's care who attend other early years settings or who need support from other agencies. However, the childminder is aware of the need to work in partnership with all other settings if the need arises.

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the early years provision

Space is organised effectively to allow the children to move safely and freely and they do this with great confidence. The play materials are clean and in good condition, which contributes towards the sustainability of the provision. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the needs of all the children and generally offers equal access to all opportunities and experiences. She demonstrates how activities help children learn about others. For example, they acknowledge cultures and participate in celebratory activities, such as Chinese New Year and Christmas. The childminder also promotes equality and diversity, with a developing range of resources and activities. However, there are no resources in place that reflect disabilities to help children develop a wider understanding of differences.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from daily outings to develop their social skills, communication and physical development. The childminder takes them to groups in the community, such music sessions where they participate in singing their favourite songs. Children are beginning to develop skills they need for the future. They have routine access to books and drawing materials to enable them to develop their communication, language and literacy. However, the environment is less enabling for children who have English as an additional language. Children are developing a knowledge and understanding of the world around them. They visit local places of interest such as farms, the river and parks. Young children have access to programmable toys to enable them to learn the skills they will need to operate This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 information and communication technology. Children have the opportunity to make

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and outcomes for children

up imaginative games as they dress as a fairy or princess.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to develop a healthy lifestyle. They eat snacks of fruit and there are always drinks available. Children develop sound hygiene practices, as they are encouraged to brush their teeth at appropriate times of the day. Young children are safely harnessed into the highchair when they sit at the table to eat their lunch. Children are beginning to learn how to keep safe as they hold hands when out in community. They learn not to go outside of the front door without the childminder. Children show they feel safe and secure as the childminder sets clear boundaries of behaviour. This helps children develop an appropriate awareness of what is right and wrong. The childminder has a satisfactory understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is beginning to establish systems to promote children's learning and they are making satisfactory progress overall. However, observations of children's achievements do not link to the six areas of learning to

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and outcomes for children

support the childminder when planning the next steps for learning and future activities. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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 3

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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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