Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 10/12/2012 04/08/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 Children develop a very strong sense of belonging due to the childminders commitment to care and sensitive interaction.  The childminder provides challenging and playful activities across all areas of learning.  The childminder develops strong relationships with parents ensuring they are fully informed of their children's day and progress.  Interesting walks in the local woodland helps children have valuable opportunities to discover the local wildlife and learn to be observant.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There are less opportunities to write for a purpose through practical activities.  Partnership with other settings is not fully embedded in practice.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities and the interaction between the childminder and the children, in the main downstairs room.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's individual profiles, and a selection of relevant policies and procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector carried out discussions with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the session.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector also took account of the views of parents included in the parents' questionnaires.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2002 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children in a house in Chesham, Buckinghamshire and uses the whole of the ground floor and the rear garden for childminding. The family has three pet cats. The childminder attends a childminder group and the local children's centre. She visits the local shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. The childminder has an appropriate early years qualification at level 3.

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Information about the setting

There are currently five children on roll, two are in the early years age group who attend for a variety of sessions and three are of school-age who attend before and after school. She provides care all year round from 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday except for family holidays.

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 develop further ways of helping children write for a purpose by planning first-hand experiences that are appropriate to the development of the children

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 develop further the arrangements for sharing information and partnership working with other providers that children attend in parallel with the setting, in order to fully support children's learning and development.

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who attend

Children are happy and making good progress in their learning as the childminder has a clear understanding of how they learn. Children are very well motivated and eager to join in. The childminder introduces the children's favourite game involving small role-play people figures. She helps children to maintain their concentration by introducing new figures and extends the play by asking appropriate questions helping them to solve the problems. She encourages the children to make predictions about what will happen next. She takes on the voices of the characters helping children to take part in enjoyable conversation. The childminder supports children's emerging speech well as she clearly repeats the child's words.

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who attend

The childminder plans to prolong this enjoyable game by introducing shaving foam to represent snow. This will enable her to extend children's vocabulary and increase their interest in the current weather for the season. These activities help children prepare for the next steps in their learning and to be ready for school. The childminder uses her detailed observations and assessments to provide rich, varied and imaginative experiences. Children have valuable opportunities to move with control during normal household activities. They climb up and down the stairs competently and enjoy playing frequently outdoors. The children spot the letters contained in their names whilst on walks and practice drawing on a larger scale as they use chalks outside on a paved area. However, planned activities are not fully linked to writing in a practical and interesting way. This gives children fewer opportunities to write for a purpose in creative

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who attend

ways. Despite this, children have valuable opportunities to learn about the natural world and that print has meaning. They download interesting sheets from the internet, for example, containing pictures and words to use when going spotting wildlife in the nearby woods.

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who attend

The childminder currently completes regular development reports on the children. She links these to the stages of development for their age and then identifies areas to progress them to the next step. She uses photos well to show the activities children participate in and the progress they have made. She encourages parents to share what they know about their children. The childminder discusses her activities with the parents and this suitable two-way flow of information helps to support children's progress and their learning at home.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder sensitively and skilfully helps children to settle in and form secure emotional attachments. She encourages children to develop strong friendships and they miss each other when one of them is on holiday. Children prepare for transitions in the childminding arrangements. The childminder is considerate and responsive to the children. She is planning to mind a young baby and is gently and positively encouraging the children to be involved in the preparations and introducing the baby to them. This helps the children to discuss their emotions. The childminder ensures that children prepare for visitors and tells them what will happen during the inspection. This ensures they are secure and feel comfortable in various situations. Children have valuable opportunities to developing their independence. The childminder encourages the younger children to do as much as they can to help put on their shoes. Older children are encouraged to put on their

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

coat by themselves. The childminder is a good role-model, negotiating gently with the children to tidy away toys before getting out some more, and she delights in their success when they persist. The childminder discusses her methods with the parents to develop a consistent approach. There is a highly stimulating environment with child accessible toys that promote their interest and learning. The childminder has a large amount of play materials and rotates the toys to extend children's interest. Children show fascination by the recently introduced range of battery operated musical Christmas toys. They can turn them on, repeatedly singing the tunes and moving with the rhythms. Children are learning to respect others. There is a wide range of good quality resources including books, dolls and models to help children positively discuss the similarities and differences of others.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children have valuable opportunities to learn to be safe and healthy. The childminder attended a course in promoting dental health in children and uses the resources very well to encourage children to undertake a thorough teeth cleaning routine. She shares this information with the parents so they can continue the regime at home. The childminder offers a healthy diet, encouraging children to try new tastes and she explains the benefits of healthy eating on their bodies.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are well prepared for the next stage in their learning because the childminder works closely with the parents. The childminder has suggested that parents provide photographs of children's extended family so that she can encourage them to talk about their family with confidence. This supports children in communicating freely about their own home and community. The children prepare for the transition to school as they visit the school before they start, to pick up the older children. The childminder discusses with nursery staff the children's care routines including her positive contribution to managing behaviour while children are playing. There is scope for the childminder to develop this relationship. This will inform her plans for children's further progress by sharing and receiving information on the children's development in other situations.

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provision

The childminder meets her responsibilities in upholding the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage at all times. She has attended training in child protection to ensure her knowledge of the signs, symptoms and the reporting procedures are secure. The childminder completes comprehensive records for the efficient management of the early years provision. This includes suitable risk assessments for her home and while on outings. The childminder effectively monitors the progress of the children in her care through her secure understanding of the learning and development requirements and her good use of the guidance in 'Development Matters in the Early Years Foundation Stage'. This helps her assess that children are developing within the expected range for their age and narrows any gaps in their learning. For example, she uses her observations and knowledge of individual children's interests, such as the small role-play

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provision

figures and increasing access to imaginative play. The childminder shows dedication to providing children with high quality care. She reflects positively on her role and states that she has the 'best job in the world'. An effective programme of professional development is helping the childminder to improve her knowledge and understanding. Recent training has given the childminder the information required to undertake the progress check for children aged two and this is now in place to good effect. The childminder provides a detailed report on the development of the minded children and has full discussions with the parents. The childminder has thoroughly completed the actions and recommendations from the last inspection.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are very well established and this makes a strong contribution to meeting children's needs. They regularly complete questionnaires to comment on the service the childminder offers and they report how happy they are with the childminder's care and education. The childminder develops close relationships with the other settings that children attend although these relationships only concern care routines.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY240393 Local authority Buckinghamshire Inspection number 814471 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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

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Type of provision

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.

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Type of provision

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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