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 219836 Inspection date 04/02/2009 Inspector Jo Rowley

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 registered in 2000. She lives with her two children aged seven and 11 in Lower Stondon, Bedfordshire, close to shops, parks and public transport links. The whole of the downstairs, except a ground floor bedroom, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Accessibility to the premises is up one step. The family has a dog, a rabbit and a guinea pig.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding five children under five years. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a registered foster carer, she has made links with the local nursery and pre-school and has a BTEC Level 3 advanced certificate in foster care.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are cared for in a safe, secure and welcoming environment with the childminder supporting every child so that no one is disadvantaged. The effective partnership with parents and the local school is a key strength and contributes to ensuring that the needs of all children are met well and that they get any additional support needed. This means that children make good progress, given their age, ability and starting points, in their learning and development. Effective self-evaluation ensures that any priorities for future development are promptly identified and acted upon.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that written observations are used to inform the planning of children's next steps.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that a written record is kept of all complaints including the outcome of the investigation and the action taken in response. (Safeguarding and welfare) (also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) 04/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder's comprehensive and clear procedures for monitoring and evaluating her practice ensures that she consistently looks at this to make improvements. She completes a regular evaluation of her own practice and fully involves parents. For example, she has devised written questionnaires which parents are asked to complete and demonstrates a positive and meaningful attitude to their feedback, making effective changes where necessary. The childminder's safeguarding policies, procedures and appropriate practice ensures that children are protected at all times. For example, effective risk assessments are regularly carried out and action is taken to minimise any risks.

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provision

All children are offered appropriate and meaningful support, enabling them to make good progress in all areas of their learning in this inclusive environment. Their individual development is very well promoted because the childminder has practical procedures in place to monitor and evaluate their learning and progress. The childminder has devised a set of comprehensive policies, including the procedure to be followed in the event of a complaint arising, which are shared with parents to ensure that they are fully aware of the procedures in place. However, the childminder does not keep the required log of complaints.

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provision

The childminder's professional and friendly approach to maintaining effective partnerships with parents, local nursery and pre-school ensure that children's care is promoted consistently. For example, the childminder has regular contact with the nursery and pre-school where minded children attend. She ensures that she is aware of their activity plans, often extending these at home, and also provides these provisions with information about her setting, enabling all to compare the children's achievements in different environments and promote the children's learning and development effectively.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very well supported and offered a wide range of opportunities that support them in making good progress in all areas of their learning and development. The planning is very well organised, on a weekly basis, to ensure that all areas of learning are covered and children's individual needs are taken into account. Individual observations are carried out, although the completed observations are not used to inform future planning and therefore, children's next steps are not always planned for.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are offered activities which are fun, enjoyable and enable them to learn through their play and daily experiences. For example, children enjoy painting, using play dough and participate in regular cooking activities. The childminder actively involves herself in these activities whilst allowing children opportunities to develop their imaginations and create their own games. An example of this is where children use ride-on toys to pretend that they are going to the shops. They ask the childminder what she would like from the shops and as she gives them items to collect they clearly thrive on the fun and interaction. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder thoughtfully organises the environment children use and resources are stored at the children's height so that they can self-select from the wide range available to them. The childminder provides activities and opportunities

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

which are easily adapted to ensure that all children can participate in what is planned. For example, as children enjoy a drawing and colouring activity the childminder ensures that there are pencils and crayons for differing ages, enabling all children to participate, therefore, promoting an inclusive environment.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and welfare is well promoted as the childminder takes effective steps to minimise the spread of infection, for example, there are coloured posters displayed to promote children's understanding in this area and children have individual hand and face towels which are individually named to avoid cross- infection. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment because the childminder has a very good understanding of this area. For example, she carries out a comprehensive risk assessment of her home, outside garden and all outings. She offers clear explanations which help children gain an understanding of taking care of themselves and others. The childminder has a strong understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and she has the relevant information and contact details in place. 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

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is 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? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 04/03/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report. (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 04/03/2009 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

Since the last inspection Ofsted has received one complaint that required the provider to take action. This related to supervision: leaving children, that she is looking after, on their own in her car with doors unlocked and leaving children alone in the front garden and safeguarding: treating the children in her care roughly.

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Detail of the complaint/s

We carried out a visit and set two actions for the provider to notify Ofsted of changes in the persons over the age of 16 working or living in the household at the earliest opportunity and ensure that children are under direct supervision at all times to ensure that they are safe. We also set a recommendation to ensure that methods for dealing with behaviour are sensitive to promote children's welfare.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider has revised her safety policy and ensures that children are always directly supervised and not left unattended. The childminder informs Ofsted of any changes to persons over the age of 16 which may affect her conditions of registration. The provider remained suitable for registration at the time the investigations were closed.

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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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