Childminder in Wokingham

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17/04/2013 23/04/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 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 knows the children very well and provides them with a safe, loving and nurturing environment. This means each child's needs are well met.  The childminder effectively promotes children's learning through enjoyable and fun activities that reflect their interests and abilities. Consequently, all children make good progress.  Partnerships with parents are trusting and strong. The childminder shares information effectively with parents so they are well-informed and involved in their children's learning achievements.  The childminder has a good understanding and implementation of the safeguarding and welfare requirements to support children's health, safety and well-being.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to improve use of the garden to enhance children's opportunities to look at changes in the natural world through digging, planting and growing.

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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

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged 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 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  scheduled 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 sampled a range of documentation including children's records and some policies and procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took into account the views of parents by reading references provided by them.

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Inspection activities

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

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and family in Lower Early, 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. The family has some fish.

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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 four children who are in the early years age range on a part-time basis.

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

 enhance use of the garden to provide children with further opportunities to learn about changes in the natural world, for example, by growing plants, or taking care of flowers.

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who attend

The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how to promote children's learning and development. She gains information from the parents about their children's individual starting points. This enables her to build on children's current interests and achievements. The childminder skilfully helps children to make progress through providing them with interesting, fun and appropriately challenging play experiences which cover all areas of learning. As a result, children are making good progress in their learning.

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who attend

Children thoroughly enjoy participating in regular treasure hunts where they enthusiastically look for hidden items around the home. The childminder then encourages them to describe, name and count the items they have found. This helps to develop children's language and mathematical skills. A favourite activity is making ice-cream cakes. All children readily participate in helping to weigh and mix the ingredients then putting the mixture into the ice-cream cone. This helps children to develop their physical skills as they use a range of tools.

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who attend

Children's literacy skills are developing well. They enjoy reading the signs they see on their walks and readily begin to write their name on their art work. Shopping trips are used well to enable children to help write the shopping list and they readily help to look for the items in the shop. Children go on lots of outings for example; they visit farms and country parks where they enjoy playing in the large sandpits. The childminder talks to children about the tress they see in the park and on their walks. The childminder makes good use of her garden to promote children's physical development, for example, they use a range of outdoor equipment. However, there is scope to develop the use of the childminders garden, to enhance children's understanding of the natural world and how things grow. Children's creativity and imagination is developing well. They thoroughly enjoy making pink play dough and use a range of different materials for their art work. For example,

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who attend

Each child has an informative learning journal. This includes photographs, examples of work and the observations and assessments the childminder makes. These are regularly shared with parents so they can continue to support their child's learning at home. The childminder effectively uses the information in the learning journals and other guidance to help her complete the progress check at the age of two with parents. Children are well prepared for their move to another setting or school. This is because the childminder talks about the setting in a positive way and informs children of the names of the people who will be looking after them. Children go with her to school and pre-school to pick up their older siblings and friends, which helps them to become familiar with their future learning environments.

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

The childminder provides children with a warm, nurturing and welcoming environment, where they clearly feel safe and secure. She works closely with parents to settle children into her home, so they are content in her care. The childminder is a good role model, she talks to the children about kindness and respect through praise and the positive example she sets. She readily praises children for their achievements. This helps to raise children's self-esteem and confidence. Children have good opportunities to socialise with others as the childminder takes them to local toddler groups and meets up with other local childminders. This helps to develop their understanding of the local community and to share and take turns with others.

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

Children move around the home with confidence choosing the resources and toys they wish to use. Children make independent choices in their play, as resources are stored at their height and readily accessible. As a result, children have the freedom to instigate their own play. The home is effectively risk-assessed indoors and outdoors, ensuring that the children can explore the home environment safely. Children feel safe because the childminder helps them to learn about safety issues through simple explanations while they play. The children practise road safety procedures when out each day and the fire evacuation procedure at regular intervals. This helps them learn well about risks and how to keep themselves and others safe.

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

The childminder promotes children's personal hygiene practices well. She talks to children about why they should wash their hands and the different ways of cleaning them. These include using hand gel when on outings and soap and water when in the home. The regular opportunities for outdoor play, coupled with daily walks and the variety of trips out, supports children to have a positive attitude to exercise. This enables them to benefit from fresh air and further promotes their good health. Children are offered healthy meals, which are provided by their parents. This is supplemented by regular drinks and healthy snacks provided by the childminder. The childminder effectively uses snack time to introduce new fruits for children to taste. They have great fun talking about the different colours, shapes and size of the fruits.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, including the learning and development requirements. She demonstrates a secure knowledge of the areas of learning and how to promote children's learning and development through play and exploration. She is enthusiastic about the role she plays in children's lives. She uses her many years experience of being a childminder to provide children with a fun and stimulating learning environment. This helps the children develop their skills for the future and the next stage in their learning. The childminder has established good links with other settings that children attend. This means that she can effectively promote consistency in their care and learning. The childminder promotes equal opportunities well and strives to provide an inclusive environment where children's individuality is valued and promoted.

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provision

The childminder successfully implements the safeguarding and welfare requirements. She has recently completed safeguarding training to update her knowledge. The childminder also has a clear understanding of how to protect children and whom to contact if any concerns arise about a child. The childminder shares her policies and procedures with parents. As a result, they are fully aware of her responsibilities as a childminder and the service she provides. She maintains all the records and policies required to meet the requirements, including accident, medication and attendance records.

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provision

The childminder successfully evaluates her provision to ensure she meets all the legal requirements. The action and recommendations from the last inspection have been suitably met and she has an ongoing commitment to further improvement. For example, she regularly updates her knowledge by completing on line courses and shares best practice ideas and information with other childminders. The childminder works very well in partnership with parents. Daily chats and text messages ensure that important information about children is shared to support children's continuity of care. Parents make many positive comments in their reference letters. They say the childminder is flexible, considerate and very professional. They comment on how happy their children are in the very child-orientated and fun environment she provides. All parents state how she meets their child's individual needs and how happy and confident they are to leave their child

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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 action. 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 148476 Local authority Wokingham Inspection number 846693 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: 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, which are usually the childminder’s 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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