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 EY284785 Inspection date 15/01/2009 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 2004. She works with her mother who is also a registered childminder. Childminding takes place at her mother's house in a village close to Milton Keynes. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding and the main bedroom on the first floor for children to sleep in a cot. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The premises are accessible by a low step to the front entrance. The family have a cat and tropical fish in a tank.

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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 Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for three children on the Early Years Register and currently three children attend. The childminder currently provides care for five children on the Compulsory Childcare Register (CCR) and one child on the Voluntary Childcare Register. All the children share the same facilities. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and this is increased to nine children when working with another childminder on the same premises.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds the NVQ Level Two qualification in childcare. She works in partnership with parents, carers and other professionals.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a safe and welcoming environment that supports children very well in the Early Years Foundation Stage framework (EYFS). The successful partnership with parents and well-planned activities contribute significantly to meeting individual children's needs. Children are valued because the childminder promotes diversity and equal opportunities through the careful planning of activities and equipment. The childminder has began to monitor her practice and has identified some priorities for improvement in the future.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that information about children's starting points is collected from parents and carers to inform planning for each individual child  ensure that children's identified learning needs (next steps) are carried forward, implemented into future planning and evaluated to give a clear picture of progress  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. She demonstrates a positive attitude to continuous improvement and has completed the EYFS training to enhance her knowledge and understanding of childcare and education. The childminder has identified some strengths and weaknesses in her practice. For example, she has increased the range of resources and activities to promote children's awareness of the wider world and their understanding of diversity. Children are safeguarded because the childminder takes necessary steps to protect and promote their welfare through effective policies and procedures.

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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. Consequently, inclusive practice is promoted so that all children have their welfare requirements met very well. Parents, carers and other professionals are involved as partners in promoting children's learning and development. For example, parents have opportunities to comment on all aspects of the setting through questionnaires. They are kept informed of their child’s achievements through appropriate policies and procedures, regular verbal feedback and the sharing of assessment records.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are supported well as they access an excellent range of interesting and challenging play materials and equipment. Planning is securely linked to the six areas of learning and takes into account children's individual learning and development needs. Children are actively involved in planning and the childminder ensures that their interests and ideas are included. Effective planning makes sure that children are offered a balanced range of activities and are encouraged to make choices and instigate play opportunities. Planning is linked to observations and assessments. For example, it shows how the activity supports a child's learning. However, information is not collected from parents about children's starting points in order to inform initial planning and children's identified needs are not carried forward into future planning to give a clear picture of progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder encourages the children to be active in their learning and to work and play together harmoniously. Older children are good role models as they include younger ones in their play. Children are very happy, well behaved and share willingly with their peers. For example, they enjoy social interaction as they look at books together and play with the castle. Children's language development is fostered very well. The childminder encourages them to express their feelings and thoughts as they play. For example, they talk about past experiences and their families and are confident to join in with conversations. Children play imaginatively and are provided with experiences and support to help them develop a positive sense of themselves and others. They are interested and motivated to learn as they explore the resources and learn new skills. For example, children work together to help build the castle walls and turrets. They work out how the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 drawbridge is raised and share the soldiers. Children investigate objects and learn how and why things work as they use pliers to pick up play materials and turn on the musical toys. Children have regular opportunities to practise physical skills as they dance, do exercises and play actively outdoors. Good concentration skills are displayed as children complete puzzles together and match colours and numbers. The stimulating and attractive environment gives children of all ages opportunities to freely access an abundance of resources and play materials. The childminding areas are well organised to allow for quiet and active play and for older children to complete homework. The excellent planning of topics includes different festivals and celebrations and information about the wider world. Activities are adapted so that all the children can participate in celebrating Chinese New Year, for example,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

older children completed word searches and work sheets and younger children joined in with a variety of art and craft activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment because the childminder has a consistent approach to health and safety. Thorough risk assessments are completed and cover all the childminding areas. The arrangements for outings are excellent. Children wear fluorescent orange wrist bands with the childminder's details. Children are very well protected with effective supervision and security. The collection of children is stringently monitored with good procedures that are shared with parents and passwords. Fire safety equipment such as smoke alarms and a fire blanket are in place and an emergency evacuation procedure devised. However, regular evacuation drills are not carried out to ensure children are confident with the procedures and a fire log record is not maintained to monitor practice. Children benefit from a healthy diet and are helped to understand how vegetables are good for you. For example, children name their vegetables at lunch

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

time and explain how they will make them 'big and strong'. 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

There have been no complaints since the last inspection.

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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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