Childminder in West Berkshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 30/01/2014 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable 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 are happy, confident and motivated learners. They actively explore their environment and learn through purposeful play.  The childminder has a secure understanding of how children learn. She skilfully supports play, enabling children to continually make good progress with their learning.  Children's behaviour is good. They have very positive relationships with one another and play well together.  The childminder promotes children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle effectively. Children have a healthy diet and regular fresh air and exercise to develop healthy bodies.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There are no key word labels or numbers prominently on display in the main play areas, indoors and outside, to enhance children's opportunities to develop their literacy and numeracy skills.  The childminder finds out some information about children's starting abilities but the information is not sufficiently detailed to provide a precise picture of children's stage of development in all areas.

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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 viewed all areas used by children.  The inspector discussed the childminder's practice with her.  The inspector observed children's play indoors and outside.  The inspector sampled the childminder's documentation.  The inspector took into account the written views of parents.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2013. She lives with her husband and three young children in Englefield, Berkshire. Children have access to the ground floor of the property for play and rest and a bedroom upstairs for sleep and overnight care. Toilet facilities are available on the ground floor. There is a large garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She has a level 4 qualification in Childcare and Education. She currently cares for two children in the early years age range on a part-time basis during the week.

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

 increase children's opportunities to develop their literacy and numeracy knowledge during daily play, for example through a display of key words and numbers in their main play areas

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

 extend the initial information gathered from parents about children's abilities to provide a clear and detailed picture of their starting points.

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who attend

The childminder is an experienced practitioner and effectively supports children to make good progress with their learning. She seeks some information from parents about children's abilities when they first come to her. This, however, does not provide a detailed picture of children's starting points in all areas to enable the childminder to plan relevant activities right from the start. The childminder uses her ongoing observations of children to assess their learning, enabling her to plan the next steps in their development effectively. She maintains learning records for children, which include both written and photographic evidence of their achievements, and has completed the required written progress checks on children who are two years old. The childminder treats all children as unique learners and takes into account their interests when planning activities to help them progress. She recognises that some children learn better outdoors, where they are

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who attend

happier, and successfully incorporates both indoor and outdoor activities into the children's day. Parents confirm that they are 'very happy' with the childminder's routines and that she keeps them informed about their children's development through a daily exchange of information.

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who attend

Children are very happy and show a good motivation to learn through active play. They enthusiastically involve themselves in role play, using their imagination well to pretend cardboard boxes are different types of car. They dress, for example as a fire fighter, and carefully climb in their box and sit and pretend to hold a steering wheel to drive, showing an understanding of how things work. The childminder talks to children as they play and asks them questions to invite a response and develop their communication skills. She clearly repeats words that children say to confirm she is listening to them and so they can hear the correct pronunciation. Children have fun playing a 'stop, go' game with the childminder, which helps develop their listening and attention skills and understanding of safety. They sit and hold a plastic bottle filled with dry pasta. When the childminder holds up a green card they immediately react and vigorously shake their bottles and then stop

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who attend

when the red card is held up. The childminder praises their efforts, which boosts their self- esteem and makes them smile. Confident that they know what to do, children then ask the childminder if they can have the cards so they can control the game.

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who attend

The childminder provides children with a wide variety of enjoyable activities, in which all children can take part and achieve. Children develop their understanding of words and numbers as they sit together to sing number action rhymes with the childminder. They giggle as they try and match actions to the words in a song about a crocodile and then one about currant buns. The childminder builds on children's developing understanding of number by encouraging them to count, for example, how many buns are left each time one is eaten. However, there are no key word or number labels on display, for example on resources, in the main play areas to enhance children's opportunities to develop their literacy and numeracy skills. Children take ownership of their learning as they play freely. They press buttons on an interactive toy to make music play and then enthusiastically jump up and down to dance to the music, building up their muscle strength and showing

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who attend

good balance. They eagerly sit at the table and express themselves, while developing their coordination, through painting pictures. The childminder takes children out regularly, for example to the shops, park and church, so they can learn about their local community and the wider world.

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

The childminder's settling-in procedures for new children allow them to become familiar with her and her home before they are left in her care. She organises her home environment well to provide a warm welcome to children. Children settle immediately on arrival as they feel secure and comfortable in her home. Their photographs are on display and they have their own coat peg and towel, which gives them a sense of belonging. Children are familiar with daily routines and hang their coats up and take outdoor shoes off before going to play. The childminder encourages children to be independent in readiness for their eventual move to school. Children have very good relationships with the childminder and each other. They behave well as the childminder engages them in activities which interest and stimulate them. The childminder is very calm and patient with children and supports their emotional well-being with cuddles and positive conversation.

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

Children enjoy playing with a good variety of age appropriate toys that support their development in all areas. They play very well together, amicably share toys and show kindness to one another. For example, one child invites another to sit next to them for lunch. Children are polite and understand right from wrong, for example, telling others not to blow bubbles with their drink.

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

The childminder's policies and procedures effectively support children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle. They follow routine hygiene practice as they wash their hands before eating and after outdoor play. The childminder provides children with a variety of healthy food and daily opportunities for exercise in the fresh air. Children eagerly eat a snack of different fruits and drink freely when thirsty. They dress warmly before excitedly going outside, where they run around and throw and kick balls. The childminder plans activities and uses opportunities as they arise to develop children's understanding of safety. Children learn about road safety when they are out with the childminder and about safety in the home, for example by practising the childminder's emergency evacuation drill. They move freely and safely around the childminder's home.

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provision

The childminder has made a good start to her childminding career, effectively using her previous experience of running a pre-school to provide a happy, stimulating environment for children's care and learning. She has a good understanding of her responsibilities in meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder continually monitors children's learning and plans activities, linked to topics such as farm animals and transport, to further children's development. She has a range of documentation to underpin her practice, including policies covering areas such as behaviour management and equal opportunities. The childminder has completed safeguarding training and understands the procedures to follow with any concerns. She carries out a daily safety check of her home and supervises children well to ensure they play safely. The childminder understands the importance of working in partnership to

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provision

enable children's needs to be met through a consistent approach. Partnerships with parents are good and they confirm they are 'very happy' with the childminder's service.

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provision

The childminder evaluates her practice and has completed a written assessment of her service identifying areas for future improvement, such as seeking further training to develop her own knowledge and skills. She seeks feedback from parents and since registration she has improved her equipment and continued to develop her planning for individual children's needs. The childminder has a positive attitude towards improving her practice to enable children to make the best possible start with their development.

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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 EY463427 Local authority West Berkshire (Newbury) Inspection number 926983 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 2

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection not applicable

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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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