Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY370766 Inspection date 08/10/2008 Inspector Susan Tuffnell

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and her three children aged 18, 14 and six in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. Outside play takes place at local parks. The premises are accessible by a low step at the front entrance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care every weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), compulsory and voluntary Childcare Register. She is registered to care for three children on the Early Years Foundation Stage register and three children attend on part-time and flexible contracts. The childminder currently provides care for three children on the compulsory Childcare Register (CCR) and one child on the voluntary Childcare Register (VCR). All the children share the same facilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a registered foster carer. She holds the Cache Level 3 qualification in Childcare and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the childminder provides a satisfactory service for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has created a generally safe and welcoming environment and provides children with effective support. Children are valued at the setting because the childminder has a clear understanding of diversity and equal opportunities. She uses this knowledge to provide excellent support and care to children who have English as an additional language. The childminder is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of her provision. Her self-evaluation shows that she strives to improve and has attended some courses, including the Early Year Foundation Stage training, in order to enhance the care and education of the children.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 plan activities to ensure that each child receives an enjoyable and challenging experience across the six areas of learning  ensure information from observations and assessment is used well so that children achieve as much as they can in relation to their starting points and capabilities  take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum. This refers to the fireplace and the loose wires from the music system  conduct regular risk assessments to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and maintain a record of these  ensure regular evacuation drills are carried out and details recorded in a fire log book. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder effectively manages the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision. Children are protected because the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and shares this policy with parents. Her self-evaluation covers most areas of the setting and clearly shows areas where the childminder intends to improve. The childminder has started to introduce systems to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of her work with the children. For example, individual children's observation files are in place. The childminder has attended the Early Years Foundation Stage training to improve her understanding and practice.

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provision

The childminder provides an inclusive service that promotes children's welfare requirements. She understands and engages in reflective practice respecting diversity and valuing a child as a unique individual. All children have their welfare needs met well. This is achieved by effective links with parents, carers and other providers to promote integration of care, education and extended services. For example, the childminder is building positive relationships with parents and with the school. She is kept informed of current events and the children's care and education. Parents are kept informed about the setting through very good policies and procedures and regular verbal feedback.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with a satisfactory range of opportunities to help them make progress across all areas of learning and development. Children have free choice as they access play materials from the low-level boxes and shelves. They benefit from some interesting equipment and play materials that challenge their learning. For example, the toys for babies and toddlers contain stimulating and tactile resources. The childminder observes children during their play. However, there is not a systematic approach to using observations to track children's progress through the early learning goals and to ensure that children's identified learning needs are carried forward and implemented into future planning. Excellent information about children's starting points is collected from parents and carers but not used in any purposeful way to plan an enjoyable and challenging experience across the six areas of learning for each child.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder supports the children's learning. As a result, older children are confident to express their feelings and wishes. Their self-confidence is promoted because the childminder gives praise and encouragement for their efforts and achievements. Children share homework and recite their times-tables together making it fun and enjoyable. The childminder encourages the school-age children to do their homework by providing a quiet area for study and appropriate resources. Children are sociable and friendly. Toddlers are learning to share resources. Guidance from the childminder helps the children avoid minor tussles over toys and encourages kindness and consideration. Young children enjoy mark-making with coloured pencils and paper and identify and repeat colours as they play. They sit nicely together to enjoy a fruit snack and a drink. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a generally safe environment because the childminder has good policies in place to help protect children. For example, clear procedures are shared with parents about the collection of children and the sick child policy includes guidance on infection control. Daily safety checks are carried out by the childminder. However, regular risk assessments to identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis, are not carried out and recorded, to ensure that standards of safety are maintained. For example, the loose wires and the open fireplace in the lounge are not risk assessed. Smoke alarms are tested weekly and there is a fire blanket in the kitchen. However, regular evacuation drills are not carried out or recorded in a fire log book to ensure children are confident in a real life fire emergency. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? Satisfactory The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well are children safeguarded? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Satisfactory How well are children helped to be healthy? Satisfactory How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Satisfactory How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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