Childminder in Buckinghamshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 31/01/2013 18/01/2010

p.1

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

p.1

This provision is good

 Children enjoy learning because the childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of how children learn.  Children are motivated to learn as they are cared for in a stimulating environment where they have opportunities to participate in a broad range of adult-led and child- initiated activities.  Children have formed a strong bond with the childminder who is a good role model. They feel valued and respected as they proudly display their art work.  Children are developing a good understanding of safety. For example, they use a knife to cut fruit under the close supervision of the childminder.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because

 The relationship between the childminder and the nursery is, at times, inconsistent in sharing information about children's progress in order to fully support their continuity of learning and development.

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the play-room and lounge.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector had a discussion with the childminder about the areas used by children and looked at her risk assessments.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a variety of the childminder's policies and procedures including her self-evaluation.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's personal records, their learning journals and their daily diaries.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1992 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband in a house in Watford, Hertfordshire, and uses the whole of the ground floor of the house and the rear garden for childminding. The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the local shops and park on a regular basis. The childminder collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently two children on roll, both are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder also provides a facility for children of school-age. She is open all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for family holidays. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.2

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

 develop ways to share information about children's progress, so that it supports children's continuity of learning and enables her to accurately plan activities which support children's individual needs.

p.3

who attend

The childminder has a very good understanding of how children learn. She has recently completed the 'Hertfordshire Quality Standard' course and is able to use different methods to promote children's learning and development. Due to her secure knowledge and understanding of childcare she is mostly able to make precise and accurate assessments enabling her to plan effectively for their next steps to ensure that children consistently make good progress.

p.3

who attend

Children are making good progress and some are above their developmental age because the childminder is skilled at asking open-ended questions and motivating them. This encourages children to think for themselves and be actively involved in their own learning. Books are used effectively to extend children's all-round skills. For example, as they cosily read a story about balloons, the childminder introduces shapes and numbers and extends their critical thinking skills. Children enjoy predicting what is going to happen to the balloons and link this well to the windy, rainy weather conditions outside. After the story they are offered paper and pens to draw their own picture. Children correctly count four balloons and can count up to 12. They have good pencil control as they draw pictures of balloons and talk about the shapes. Children confidently recognise some of the letters in their name. They independently use scissors to cut out different shapes such as a

p.3

who attend

dinosaur. Children proudly and independently display their work on the window as they are provided with sticky tape and praised for their achievements. Children learn about the natural environment as they use their personally created binoculars to spot birds and squirrels in the garden. They confidently use the printer to make copies of pictures as the childminder guides and supports them.

p.3

who attend

Babies feel secure and happy in the childminder's company. They enjoy playing alongside others as they sit next to the childminder banging a tin box with a whisk to make music. Babies love babbling as they make good eye contact with the childminder. They are becoming independent and moving around well as they pull themselves up at the low-level table to watch what older children are doing. The childminder is at hand consistently offering support and praise for their achievements.

p.4

who attend

The childminder works very closely with parents, consistently sharing information through the daily diary and the children's journals. She values the information they provide about their child's learning and development, this enables her to plan an effective range of activities. Relationships between the childminder and the nursery are mostly good, and information is verbally shared on a daily basis. Children make very good progress and are becoming active independent learners; this prepares them well for more formal learning as they get older.

p.4

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

Parents provide valuable informational about their child prior to them starting. This enables the childminder to plan for their individual needs and offer continuity of care, ensuring that children settle with ease. Children are very happy and in a warm, caring and child-friendly environment. They enjoy learning and their interest is fully sustained because of the strong bond developed between them and the childminder. The storage of high quality resources in the playroom, the lounge and dining room enables children to participate independently in a variety of activities to promote their learning and development. They are consistently polite and friendly, and warmly thank the childminder without being prompted. Babies chuckle happily as the childminder talks to them. Older children enjoy caring for babies and help them in their play as they pass toys to them. Children's understanding of other cultures and beliefs is very well promoted through a

p.4

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

variety of activities, such as celebrating Chinese New Year by making signs in Chinese and a dragon. They are also provided with a good variety of books and play materials so that they can learn to value and respect the differences in people independently.

p.4

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

The childminder ensures that children are protected and know what to do in case of an emergency. Children learn to manage their own safety as they use a knife to cut fruit under the close supervision of the childminder. They stay healthy as they use their towels and flannels and eat healthy meals and snacks. Children and babies learn to manage their own needs as they independently help themselves to drinks. They have regular exercise and fresh air as they go for walks within the local community and visit the woods. Babies move with control as they crawl through the tunnel following older children into the tent. Children are being very well prepared for their future learning as they mix in different settings, such as the nursery, toddler groups and children's centres. This enables them to understand how to behave in a variety of situations.

p.4

provision

The childminder is pro-active in developing her knowledge and understanding and consistently reviewing her training. For example, she has completed the 'Hertfordshire Quality Standard' course and has attended training in 'Inclusive practice'. This enables her to continue fulfilling her responsibilities in meeting the learning and developmental needs of all children. The childminder organises herself and the area used by children effectively so that they are cared for in a welcoming, safe and stimulating environment. She has developed her self-evaluation to ensure that she is effective in setting challenges and targets for the future. For example, she has made vast improvements since her last inspection and has promptly addressed actions and recommendations. For example, risk assessments are now thorough and effectively promote children's safety.

p.5

provision

The childminder's documents are thorough and regularly reviewed. These are effectively shared with parents to ensure that they are familiar with how she works. Children are safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of what to do should the need arise. Effective risk assessments, such as a daily check list and regularly practising the emergency evacuation procedure. This ensures children continue to stay safe. All adults in the house are suitably vetted and visitors are monitored as they are required to sign in. This ensures that all adults are safe to be around children. Parents are fully informed of what to do should they have any concerns.

p.5

provision

The childminder has developed very good relationships with parents and others involved in the children's care. However, there is scope to enhance the partnership between the nursery and the childminder so that it is fully effective in supporting children's continuity of learning and development. The childminder understands the importance of working closely with them and involving outside agencies so that should the need arise, appropriate support for children with special needs and/or disabilities is provided.

p.5

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

p.5

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.

p.5

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.

p.6

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.

p.6

Setting details

Unique reference number 130049 Local authority Hertfordshire Inspection number 817883 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2

p.6

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.

p.7

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.7

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

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.

p.7

Type of provision

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 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,

p.7

Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.8

Type of provision

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

p.8