Childminder in Bracknell Forest

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 108254 Inspection date 14/03/2012 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 has been a registered childminder since 1995. She lives with her daughter in the White Waltham/ Woodlands Park area on the outskirts of Maidenhead. There is an enclosed rear garden used for outdoor play. The ground floor of the property is used for play and a bedroom. Local schools, parks, preschools and shops 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, to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently three early years children on roll.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends local children's activities and can take and collect children from the local school and pre-school.

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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 is very enthusiastic in her role. She provides a warm, welcoming, family environment for children's care, learning and play. Children are very happy and at ease in her care, as their individuality is recognised. They experience good opportunities to progress well in all areas of learning. Required policies and procedures promote inclusive practice and documentation to support the childminder's practice is generally in place. The childminder is developing her ability to self evaluate. She has identified strengths and some aspects for future development, which indicate she will continuously improve her service.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 make a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. 28/03/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 review policies and documents to ensure they all reflect current Early Years Foundation Stage practice  develop reflective practice and self-evaluation, identifying in more detail the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve quality. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The provider makes good provision to safeguard children. She demonstrates a clear awareness of the action to take if she is concerned about a child in her care. A clear policy supports her practice and informs parents of her safeguarding role. Effective safety measures are in place throughout the premises to manage risks. For example, smoke detectors are in place and checked regularly, safety catches are in place on cupboard doors and outer doors are secure. However, whilst the childminder does risk assess rigorously, there is not a record of the risk assessment. This is a requirement of registration. Good use is made of all the available space, providing children with freedom to move around the lounge and dining area. There is ample space for floor play and table top activities. A full size cot is prepared, with fresh bedding ready for a young child to rest. The garden is planned with the children in mind, providing a fun, child-centred environment with

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the early years provision

easy access to wheeled toys, sand pit, swings, small trampoline and slide. The premises are spotlessly clean and well maintained, providing a pleasant environment for children's care.

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the early years provision

Good care is taken to ensure the childminder can meet the individual needs of each child. Detailed information is gathered from parents ensuring dietary and everyday needs are understood and met appropriately. Children go on many outings in the local community enabling them to meet different adults and children. This encourages them to accept and respect people's differences. A variety of puzzles, books, small world figures and dolls provide positive images of diversity.

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the early years provision

Parents comment very favourably on the service offered by the childminder. One parent wrote: 'she is very kind to the children and at the same time maintains firm boundaries; this means they are always happy and at the same time well behaved'. They also commented very favourably on her reliability, the wide variety of resources, and the confidence they have in her abilities. Information is clearly displayed to ensure parents are aware of her registration, insurance and first aid qualification. Good relationships with other settings children attend, help to promote continuity in their care. The childminder is proactive in ensuring children experience positive transitions to nursery and school by taking children to visit and sharing books and stories about school.

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the early years provision

Since the last inspection, improvements have been made to the resources available which reflect diversity. The childminder is keen to provide a high quality service and devotes her time to the children. She has sought opinions and received many positive comments about her service from parents. She has given consideration to her service and identified aspects and areas where she would like to increase her knowledge. This includes her awareness of the new Early Years Foundation Stage. However, currently, self evaluation is not detailed. Whilst the required policies and procedures are in place some are a little out of date and have not been reviewed recently to reflect current practice. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children learn right from wrong in a warm, caring environment, where they are encouraged to share, take turns and respect each other. They learn to look after the resources, as they use them with care and help to tidy them away after play. Good health is encouraged by daily opportunities for outdoor physical activity and a healthy varied nutritious diet. For example, they enjoy snacks of toast and a drink of milk, and have easy access to drinks throughout the day. Meals include, meat, fish and vegetable dishes and fruit is always available. Sick children are cared for sensitively until parents can collect them. The familiar daily routines enable children to feel confident and secure. Children learn to be independent in a well supervised environment, where they are encouraged to think about safety as they move freely around the house and use the garden toys.

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and outcomes for children

In addition to daily face-to-face contact, daily records indicate to parents the range of activities children have experienced. Monthly summaries also indicate the progress the children are making.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is observant and ensures children have access to resources that interest them. Children make choices in their play and confidently ask for things, for example, to go outdoors. The childminder responds positively to requests enabling children to follow their interests. Books are easily accessible to the children, encouraging their awareness of the written word. They enjoy listening to a story about nursery school and the childminder draws their attention to familiar items in the pictures. The children confidently use felt pens and crayons to draw. They use glue sticks and collage items to create their own pictures. Their efforts are valued by the childminder who praises them for their efforts and ensures their work is available for parents to see. She talks and listens to the children and is enthusiastic in all her interactions with them. Children demonstrate increasing awareness of size and shape as they build with plastic bricks, matching and sorting

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and outcomes for children

colours and size. They identify shapes as they stick collage items on paper. Children learn about the natural world through their outdoor activities. They learn to identify the changing weather and seasons and they have easy access to interactive toys, enabling them to use simple technology. Action songs and musical activities encourage them to express themselves and develop language skills. Children benefit from outings in the local community to the local park and soft play area, which provides social opportunities, enabling children to mix with other young children and meet other adults. 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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