Childminder in Windsor and Maidenhead

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY340365 Inspection date 09/09/2010 Inspector Samantha Hunt

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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 2006. 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 two children aged 10 and two years in Cookham near Maidenhead in Berkshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is available for childminding with bathroom and rest facilities upstairs. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. She is currently minding three children in the early years age range, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder goes to the local schools to take and collect children. She takes children to the local park.

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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 at ease with the childminder. The childminder provides children with a weekly routine of activities and experiences, both inside and outside of the setting. She shows a clear knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and is pro-active in meeting children's individual needs. The childminder has formed effective partnerships with parents and others to support children's welfare. Documentation to support practice is fully in place. The childminder has begun to evaluate her provision, highlighting some strengths and areas for improvement. This demonstrates a commitment to continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 reinforce the importance of hand washing with children through simple discussion and practice  continue to develop systems for monitoring and reflecting practice to ensure children needs are effectively promoted

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the early years provision

The childminder shows a good understanding of how to safeguard the children in her care. She supervises them well, and is clearly able to identify the signs of abuse to alert her if she has concerns about any of the children she cares for. All contact details of the Local Safeguarding Children Board are held. Children play in a warm, homely environment, with toys and resources that are of good quality, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 clean and easily accessible. Good use is made of both inside and outside, and allows children space to move around comfortably. The childminder has a completed a comprehensive range of written risk assessments on her home and any outings she takes the children on. She carries out a daily check of her home and garden prior to children arriving, and uses safety features, such as, a stair gate and socket covers to minimize risks to children.

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the early years provision

Documents relating to childminder are in good order and the childminder ensures accurate records are maintained of the children's attendance. She has attended lots of training since her last inspection and is eager to do more to keep her knowledge up to date. The childminder is able to highlight areas she wants to improve and has begun to formally self-evaluate her practice. She has effectively addressed the recommendations made at her last inspection, for example, the fire drill is now regularly practiced with all the children. The childminder shows a good understanding of the children's individual needs and stages of development. She carries out weekly written observations on the children to monitor their progress, and uses these records to help her in planning further activities and experiences for children. All individual needs are valued and respected by the childminder. She ensures that all children can participate in activities she provides, and takes

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the early years provision

children out into the local community on a regular basis.

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the early years provision

The childminder forms positive partnerships with parents and others. She shares information with parents both written and verbally. This includes policies of the setting such as illness and injury and safeguarding. The childminder collates information on children's individual needs with parents prior to children starting. She is proactive in following their individual routines such as sleep. The childminder feeds back to parents verbally at the end of each day and also uses texts or e-mail to keep lines of communication open between her and parents. Information such as how to make a complaint and the certificate of registration are clearly displayed for everyone to see. Parents are encouraged to access their child's development folder whenever they wish and often take them home over the weekend. Parents speak highly of the childminder and are clearly happy with the care and education their children receive. They feel she communicates well with

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the early years provision

them, informing about how and what their children have been doing verbally at pick up times. They comment of the good range of activities she provides and on the development records she shares with them regularly.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are forming close relationships with their peers and are confident to make their needs known or seek support from the childminder. For example, they climb onto her lap for a cuddle or point at an object to show what they want. Children have daily opportunities to take part in activities planned by the childminder or play freely with toys stored around the setting. The childminder gives children choices about what they want to do and encourages them to self-select toys from the boxes around the room. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children eagerly go to the back door with the childminder when she suggests they might like to go outside into the garden. They confidently sit themselves down at the little table and wait for the childminder to take the lids off some play dough. Children clearly enjoy flattening and squeezing the play dough. They share the

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and outcomes for children

modelling tools with their peers and begin to make shapes and patterns in the play dough. The childminder interacts effectively with the children at their level and encourages them to be independent. She gives children time to explore or try activities for themselves before offering support or assistance. She helps them to develop their language skills by encouraging them to identify colours and shapes or repeats words clearly to show she has understood them. Children develop independence as they confidently manoeuvre a wheelbarrow and ride on cars around the garden, stopping regularly to wait for their friends to follow on. They become aware of nature as the childminder encourages them to touch and feel the sage leaves and smell the flowers growing in the garden.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans a weekly routine of activities and experiences which are age appropriate and meet the children individual preferences. Children develop skills for the future as they learn about, and help to grow vegetables in the garden. They watch the vegetables grow and then have the opportunity to taste them once they have been picked and cooked. They have regular opportunities to take part in arts and craft activities or to bake something to eat at tea time. This introduces early maths skills such as weighing the ingredients and mixing them together.

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and outcomes for children

Children adopt healthy lifestyles as they access fresh air and exercise on a daily basis. They have regular opportunities to visit the local parks to use the apparatus or play in the garden. The childminder provides children with healthy snacks and meals, which are home-cooked and include a balance of fresh fruit and vegetables. Children learn about healthy eating as they help to grow some of the vegetables used. The childminder generally promotes good hygiene by wiping children's hands with individual wet wipes at mealtimes. However, she does not explain to the children why she does this to help them understand the importance of it. Children have their nappies changed according to need and the childminder follows effective procedures such as wearing gloves to promote everyone's good health and hygiene.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their own awareness of safety through discussion and practice with the childminder. Children eagerly hold out their arms so that the childminder can strap them in the chair before lunch and regularly take part in the emergency evacuation procedure. The childminder uses booklets from the fire service and dressing-up equipment to help support this process. Gentle reminders to walk or to hold onto the door frame as they step out into the garden help children to become aware so they don't fall and hurt themselves. Children relate well towards one another and behaviour is good. The childminder sets clear boundaries and helps them to learn right from wrong through sensitive discussion and interaction. Children receive positive praise and encouragement from the childminder which helps them to feel valued. 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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