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 EY376629 Inspection date 02/03/2009 Inspector Lynne Kathleen Talbot

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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 June 2008. She lives with her husband and three children aged one, three and six years in Sandy, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding as well as one identified bedroom. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the childminder's home is via a single step.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to provide care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to provide three places for children when working alone and four places when working with an assistant. There are currently four children attending varying hours, two of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

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Description of the childminding

One child attends another setting such as the early years unit of the local primary school or the local pre-school. The childminder is able to provide care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those for whom English is an additional language.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children are engaged with a broad range of activities that are planned flexibly promoting good progress and complementing the care provided at other settings attended. Systems for risk assessments, safeguarding and promotion of welfare are robust. There is a close working partnership with parents, set up to ensure that every child is fully included, their needs met, and sound links established with other settings. The provider completes self-evaluation which proves useful to establish areas for improvement and development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of the observations to show how they identify the next steps for children and inform the planning building from an initial starting point that involves parental input  develop the self-evaluation and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing review.

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provision

Policies and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare of children attending. The childminder has a firm understanding of issues relating to safeguarding maintaining all relevant documents. She has completed all training This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 courses as required by the EYFS and seeks involvement with other agencies such as a Health and Environmental project regarding physical activity, and Meningitis UK and the completion of a 'Bug Hunt'; these schemes help the promotion of children's health and continued development of the provision. The childminder completes self-evaluation using the Ofsted online system but this does not yet address the impact of the provision on children as a basis of on-going review.

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provision

The home and resources are organised to ensure that children are able to self- select materials and initiate learning. The rooms used are designed to allow younger children access to safe materials whilst other materials are stored within shelving accessible to older children. Risk assessments address the home as well as all types of outings undertaken. The home is welcoming with posters and certificates displayed for parents on a noticeboard and children storing their belongings in their own drawers in the hallway. Children of different ages may participate, for instance, when in the outdoor area children with limited mobility have several sit-and-ride items to offer them independence.

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provision

The childminder has very good relationships with parents and carers to ensure that children make good progress. This is evidenced within references that state children have an 'extensive settling-in period', and that they receive a 'daily record of activities and development with help to develop their own characters'. Methods to ensure that inclusion is addressed for every child are established. Daily diaries are supplied as well as scrap book photo albums with captions. Diaries note developmental steps and ideas for next steps. However, there is no initial starting point established with parents and the next steps identified do not inform the planning fully for all children. This means that children may not be challenged to fulfil their potential. Partnerships with other settings are firm with the childminder using the newsletters provided to ensure that she offers care that complements the care given each day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are offered a wide range of activities that support them in making good progress in all areas of learning. The childminder and assistant are attentive offering praise and encouragement throughout the day. The environment and accessible resources motivate children to explore and extend their understanding. For example, they use a range of mechanical toys to switch on and off, fit items into slots watching them turn around, bring posting boxes to the childminder or assistant for help to open them, and build with bricks. They respond to music and try to repeat names of objects as the childminder and assistant repeat the word slowly giving the children the chance to attempt the word themselves before praising them. These methods encourage children to begin exploring language and use play items creatively.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children carry out creative works such as making planting pots for their family. They enjoy trips to the builders merchant to buy paint and varnish before decorating them and planting bulbs to grow. They visit local places of interest such as Wimpole Hall Farm, use a cycle path for walks, and Roxton Garden Centre. These events help children to extend their understanding of the world around This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them leading into projects such as 'out of the egg' which links to other settings' themes and within which children extend their understanding of new life and animals around them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They explore reasoning when they make measuring sticks to view the depth of the snow in February, measuring it each hour until concluding that the deepest measurement was 8cms. Children enjoy 'boat races' using a trough, exploring how to make floating boats move and looking at fast and slow speeds. They use 'walkie-talkies' beginning to use everyday technology with confidence. For example, they enjoy using them when exploring a 'maze' on a visit. Children enjoy play outdoors in all weathers and are helped in this by the provision of suitable clothing kept by the childminder to ensure they may play warmly and freely.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe environment. They take part in evacuation routines and road safety routines to broaden their awareness of personal safety. Children walk to early years provision each day and enjoy taking part in a group project whereby they gain stickers; once they reach 20, they gain a free swim at a local pool. This greatly improves their awareness of physical activity and its benefits. They use safety waistcoats over their outdoor clothing and stick fluorescent stickers to their bags beginning to understand the importance of being visible when walking near traffic. Children plant some vegetables and care for them learning about the need for water and sun on growing plants to produce foods. They are developing clear social behaviours as they care for the younger children and learn to be aware of the needs of others around them. 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: 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: 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 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

 demonstrate how you will meet the common core skills (Qualifications and training). 30/03/2009 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

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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