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 EY302295 Inspection date 16/01/2009 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

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 2005. She lives with her grown up sons aged 22 years, 20 years and 13 years in a town house in the Downs Barn area of Milton Keynes. Access to the house is gained from the front garden path and the main living area is accessed via a staircase to the first floor. She uses the first floor for childminding and the toilet is located on the ground floor. 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 six children at any one time and is currently minding four children in the early years age group and two older children for before and after school hours and during school holidays. The childminder walks to the local school to collect children and takes them to the local park. The family has a pet cat, a kitten and a cockatiel. The childminder is a member of the National

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

This childminder promotes many aspects of children’s welfare with success, ensuring that they are safe and secure, but required records of risk assessment are not in place. Children enjoy a wide range of purposeful play activities presented in an appropriately inclusive manner, although the childminder has not yet begun to implement the learning and development requirements in full. There is a close working partnership with parents which ensures they are kept well-informed of most issues relating to their child’s care and learning. The childminder has not yet approached self-evaluation to identify key strengths and areas for development to secure continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the assessment system to demonstrate how the activities and observations are used to identify learning priorities for individual children and show their progression  ensure that written parental permission for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment is requested for every child  develop a quality improvement process as the basis for continuous self- evaluation to identify strengths and take appropriate action to address weaknesses.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment of the indoor and outdoor environment and review this regularly (also applies to compulsory part and voluntary part of Childcare Register) 20/02/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Clearly written records, policies and procedures underpin the safe and efficient management of this warm and welcoming provision. The needs of children are generally met in practice although the childminder has not yet fully implemented the learning and development requirements in relation to planning and assessment. All activities involve all the children at their individual developmental level, as the childminder offers a fully inclusive programme of activities. Children are kept safe because the childminder meets the qualification requirements and has a clear knowledge and understanding of vetting procedures and child protection issues. However, she has not requested written permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment for every child in her care.

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provision

Children can readily access toys and equipment and this ensures that they develop personal independence and the ability to make choices and decisions. The childminder devotes her time and attention to the children during minding hours, effectively promoting learning through play. Risk assessments are carried out visually on a daily basis and preventative action is taken to address identified hazards and minimise the risk to children. However, the childminder does not maintain required records of these. She has not yet explored self-evaluation as a means of securing continuous improvement. Effective links with the parents and carers enable the childminder to tailor activities to the individual children in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are settled, happy and often do not want to go home. Children's welfare is generally well protected. The childminder has a sound understanding of the importance of safeguarding the children at all times. Most documentation is maintained relating to accidents, medication and incidents and the childminder promotes suitable systems to prevent the spread of cross infection. Clear and effective procedures are in place, protecting the children's health and well-being. Effective strategies ensure that children's social, physical and economic well-being are appropriately met and the childminder's consistently firm intervention when toys are snatched ensures that children behave well.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children receive very good support for their learning because the childminder is highly skilled at dividing her time between the children of various ages in her care. She sustains a high level of interaction which effectively draws the learning from play situations. For example, she encourages children to write their names on a magic sketch board and gently asks if there are any letters missing. She encourages children to count whilst playing and simultaneously responds to the emergent language of the younger children, providing new vocabulary. Children benefit from a wide range of informally planned and purposeful play activities provided by the childminder. For example, children learn to play well together and to share toys appropriately, becoming active learners who think for themselves. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 During the inspection, the children take turns to brush the childminder's hair and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

she explains that they must not brush a baby's head because a baby has a very soft head and damage may be caused.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

She flexibly plans her week to include daily indoor play and outdoor exercise, balancing time spent in the home and time spent at social groups. The childminder covers the six areas of learning within her activities and is beginning to identify links to the learning and development requirements. This has a positive impact as the children are beginning to extend their vocabulary and learn about early numbers, shapes and colours. Each child's folder contains a few photographs and brief notes of new achievements noted by the childminder. However, she has yet to develop her educational programmes and assessment arrangements in accordance with requirements and the 'Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage'. 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? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 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 Register section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment). 20/02/2009

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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 Register section of the report (Suitability and Safety of Premises and Equipment). 20/02/2009 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 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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