Childminder in West Berkshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11/02/2013 20/03/2009

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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

 The childminder provides a welcoming and homely environment where children feel safe and secure and grow in confidence. Children make good progress in their learning and development as the childminder interacts well with them as they play.  Children have many opportunities to participate in a range of role-play situations, which they thoroughly enjoy. This helps them to develop their confidence and imaginative skills through play.  Safeguarding procedures are rigorous to protect the children that attend. This is due to the childminder's thorough understanding of safeguarding issues.  Children benefit from the calm, warm and caring relationship that clearly exists between them and the childminder. She is very aware of each child's individual needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 opportunities for children to share and learn about the similarities and differences between themselves and others, with regards to disability, are not yet fully explored.

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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 interaction between the childminder and children during play inside.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a range of documentary evidence including the observations made on children and the childminder's records.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector also took into account the views of parents by reading the questionnaires completed by them.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had discussions with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 1994. She lives with her husband and adult child in Burghfield Common, West Berkshire. The childminder uses the whole of her home for childminding. A fully enclosed rear garden is available for outside play. The childminder makes use of local facilities such as toddler groups, libraries and parks. The childminder can take children to, and collect them from, local schools.

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Information about the setting

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently looking after three children who are within the early years age range on a full and part-time basis.

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

 enhance children's awareness of the similarities and differences that connect them to and distinguish them from others, with particular reference to disabilities.

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who attend

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of how to promote the learning and development of all children in her care. She has a very secure knowledge of how children learn effectively as they play gained over many years through being a childminder. As a result, all children in her care are making good progress in their early learning and development. The childminder thoroughly enjoys the time she spends with the children. They benefit from the individual time and attention she gives them. The childminder provides children with a range of activities and experiences that are linked to their interests and abilities. These also help children to develop new skills. Children are currently very interested in dressing up and role play. They readily choose and show each other the pink and sparkly fairy wings and younger children feed and cuddle their baby. These role play situations help children to develop their confidence and imagination. The

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who attend

childminder enthusiastically joins in their play. For example, by asking them questions about their baby and what they are eating. This effective interaction also helps children develop their language skills, as they readily answer the childminder's questions.

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who attend

The childminder continually talks to the children to help them develop their communication, recall and speaking skills. For example, asking them about their recent holiday in the snow. Children enthusiastically respond by telling her about the snowman they had built and how they threw snowballs at their parents. Children's mathematical understanding is promoted in a variety of way. For example, they readily weigh the ingredients to make cakes and they readily count the number of stairs.

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who attend

Children have many opportunities to be aware of the local community and to mix and socialise with others. For example, they attend toddler groups and meet up with other childminders and their children. All children and their families are made very welcome, valued and respected. Children have opportunities to celebrate events in their lives. They readily make and colour birthday cards for each other These activities also help to develop children's design and creative skills in a fun and caring way. The childminder and children readily celebrate a range of festivals together. This helps children to begin to be aware of different faiths and cultures. However, opportunities for children to learn about the differences between themselves and others, with regard to disability, are not fully explored. As a result, children's understanding of the wider world is not yet fully enhanced.

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who attend

Children's early curiosity is promoted very well by the childminder. They readily look forward to see what she has hidden each day in her curiosity stool and take off the lid to look and see what is inside. Recently the children found a new computer, for them to use to develop their technology skills, in the stool.

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who attend

The childminder gains a good understanding of each child's individual needs, and starting points in their learning, through her very close communication with parents. The childminder makes observations of the children while they play and links these to the areas of learning. As a result, she effectively identifies where a child is in their learning and their next steps. Daily conversations with parents, and the completion of the two- year- old progress check if required, enable parents to be aware of where their child is in their learning. Parents also have regular access to their child's learning journal. This helps them to support their child's development at home. The childminder effectively supports children to be ready to move on to the next stage in their learning. For example, she talks to them about what to expect and visits the setting with the children.

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

Children's emotional well-being is fully fostered as the childminder is very calm, caring and has a reassuring approach. Children readily include her in their play and spontaneously go up to her for a hug. This clearly demonstrates how safe and secure they feel in her care. The childminder is a good role model and children's achievements are highly praised. This helps to develop their self-esteem. Children's independence is promoted well. They move around the home with confidence and independently choose the resources they wish to explore. This is because the childminder ensures all resources are readily accessible to the children and reflect their interests. The childminder is a good role model. As a result, children are well behaved, say please and thank you when appropriate and help to tidy away the toys when requested.

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

The childminder places a high priority on keeping children safe. She completes a range of risk assessments and daily checks. As a result, children play in a home, which is safe and suitable for them. Children are beginning to be aware of safety issues and their own safety. For example, through gentle reminders from the childminder as they play and by talking about road safety procedures when they are out. Children have many opportunities to develop healthy lifestyles as they play outside in the fresh air, go on regular walks and visit local parks. They thoroughly enjoy jumping in the puddles, playing football and riding bikes. These visits and activities also help them to develop their physical skills. The childminder works successfully with parents to make sure the food they provide for their children is healthy and nutritious. Children are beginning to be aware of why they have to wash and dry their hands properly because the childminder

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

talks to them about good hygiene and its benefits.

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provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibility to meet the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. A range of written policies and procedures in place are followed by the childminder to ensure children's welfare is effectively safeguarded and promoted. These are shared with parents so they are aware of her responsibilities. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues as she updates her knowledge on a regular basis. As a result, she is very aware of the procedures she should follow should she have a safeguarding concern about a child in her care. The childminder is confident in her knowledge of the learning and development requirements. She has effective systems in place to observe and monitor children's progress. She effectively uses the observations she makes to plan flexible, relevant and stimulating activities.

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provision

The childminder develops secure, trusting and supportive relationships with the parents. Information is shared daily in a variety of ways to meet the needs of the children. These include the daily diary and regular conversations. Parents have access to the childminder's welcome folder which informs them of her childminding service.

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provision

The childminder effectively monitors and reflects on her practice which helps her to identify her strengths and areas for further development. She completes the Ofsted self- evaluation form and obtains the views of parents via daily discussions and questionnaires. Parents make many positive comments about the childminder in their questionnaire replies. These include how happy their child is in her care and the variety of stimulating activities provided. Parents appreciate how reliable, flexible and supportive the childminder is in meeting their needs.

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provision

The childminder is committed to ongoing development and has gained a childcare qualification since her last inspection. She continues to update her knowledge in a variety of ways. For example, she regularly meets up with other childminders to share ideas and to keep up to date with latest childcare changes.

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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 510199 Local authority West Berkshire (Newbury) Inspection number 843319 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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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.

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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,

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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’.

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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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