Childminder in Milton Keynes

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 EY289516 Inspection date 12/01/2009 Inspector Susan Marriott

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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 was registered in 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 10 years, in their house in Broughton, Milton Keynes. Access to the house is gained from the front garden path. The childminder uses the whole of the house for childminding, and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for five children at any one time and is currently minding two children in the early years age group on a part-time basis during the week. The childminder walks to the local school to deliver and collect children and takes them to the local parks. The family have a pet cat. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy themselves in this homely setting which clearly recognises each child as an individual. Each child receives support from the childminder according to their specific needs enabling them to take part in all activities in a genuinely inclusive manner. The children make good progress in their learning and development and the childminder has made a highly competent start with observation and assessment procedures. The childminder works extremely well with parents to meet children's needs and secure their welfare, however risk assessment is incomplete. She has begun to make use of self-evaluation to identify key strengths and has identified the further development of her knowledge and understanding of inclusion as an area for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the risk assessment for outings and for use of the trampoline with reference to obtaining written parental consent  develop planning and assessment systems to demonstrate how the activities and observations are used to identify learning priorities for individual children and show their progression  promote positive attitudes to diversity through activities that encourage children to talk about similarities and differences and the reasons for these; where necessary, help children to learn to value aspects of their own and other peoples lives.

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provision

Children experience a good quality of care in this setting, supported by clearly written policies and procedures and the parents sign to indicate their acceptance of these. Daily conversations upon delivery and collection of the children ensure that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parents and carers are well-informed about their child’s care and welfare. A daily diary system formalises this dialogue and a coded sticker system demonstrates which areas of learning have been covered by the day's activities. However, the childminder does not yet link her observations of children's learning to the criteria in the Practice Guidance or identify the next steps in children's learning. The childminder is an experienced mother of two and puts her life skills to good use to support parents in caring for their children. Extremely effective links with the parents and carers, together with other professionals involved in the care and

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provision

education of the children, enables the childminder to tailor activities to the individual children in her care.

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provision

Risk assessments are carried out, recorded, and preventative action is taken to address identified hazards and minimise the risk to children. For example, regular checks are recorded on the home computer. However, these are incomplete because they do not include outings and large equipment in the garden. Written parental consent is not requested before children use the trampoline. The childminder regularly reviews her practice and continuously seeks to improve, as shown by the evidence supplied in the on-line self-evaluation form. All activities involve all the children at their individual developmental level, but the childminder has identified minor shortcomings in her knowledge and understanding of inclusion issues.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This calm and gentle childminder is skilled at enabling children to make good progress and develop positive attitudes to learning through play. Planning is informal, enabling the childminder to appropriately follow the children's interests. She maintains a high standard of interaction and ably encourages children to speak clearly and extend their vocabulary. She gives sensitive explanations which extend children's understanding of the world around them and care for others. For example, the children are excited at the arrival of a new kitten and the childminder reminds them that the kitten is very young and scared. She points out that it is unkind to pull the animal's tail or chase it around the room. Children are able to make choices about what they wish to do and the childminder sits on the floor to support play, encouraging children to count the bricks and predict what will happen next. Toys and equipment are readily accessible from the toy chest in the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

living room and the childminder changes the selection available on a regular basis to maintain children's interest.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is properly safeguarded. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection and the importance of safeguarding the children at all times. Clear documentation is maintained relating to accidents, medication and incidents and the childminder promotes suitable systems to prevent the spread of cross infection. Clear, robust, procedures are in place, protecting the children's health and well-being. The children learn about keeping safe when walking with the childminder and this is balanced with them being able to run free within safe limits in the parks. Their behaviour is very well managed and clear, effective, strategies ensure their social, physical and economic well-being are very well met. 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? 3 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: 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

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

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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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