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 219690 Inspection date 26/02/2009 Inspector Susan Ennis

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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 registered in 2000. She lives with her partner and one child aged 12 in Shefford, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor, apart from the conservatory and one bedroom of childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Accessibility to the premises is by via one small step. The family has some fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group. 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 has made links with the local pre-school and collects children from the local schools.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the childminder provides satisfactory care for all children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She provides a generally safe and enjoyable environment whilst supporting children effectively in their play and development. She offers continuity of care often caring for siblings and children from when they were young babies. Children's welfare is positively promoted and the childminder has made good links with parents and the local nurseries and schools to effectively develop children's care and education. The childminder has taken some steps to improve her practice, for example, by completing the self-evaluation form and through discussion with the parents. She seeks their views on a regular basis and is therefore able to demonstrate an understanding of her strengths and areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the complaints procedure contains all the contact details of the regulator  carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing  improve the use of children's starting points, observations, assessments and planning to demonstrate childrens progress towards the early learning goals and to plan for their further challenge.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain written parental permission to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment 12/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 for the children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare).

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provision

The childminder has a range of written policies in place to ensure that children are suitably protected at all times. For example, she has a safeguarding policy and has completed additional training to increase her knowledge of child protection issues. However, as permission to seek emergency medical treatment for the children is not in place their welfare is compromised. Children move around the premises easily and freely because the childminder takes steps to minimise the hazards and supervises them at all times. She completes a regular risk assessment of her home, ensuring that, for example toys and resources are safe and suitable for the children to use. However, written risk assessments for outings are not currently in place potentially affecting children's safety when out and about.

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provision

The childminder has implemented some systems to improve her practice such as completing the self-evaluation form before inspection and using past course work to refresh her knowledge. She demonstrates an awareness of her strengths and areas for improvement and has the capacity to improve. This is, however an area for further development as is checking that previous recommendations have been satisfactorily completed. The children's individual development is very well promoted because the childminder has practical procedures in place to monitor and evaluate their learning and progress. A professional and trusting relationship with parents, carers and the local school and nursery ensures that all relevant information is shared involving the parents in their child's learning and as one parent wrote 'The childminder is a valuable asset to our lives'. An effective prospectus ensures that parents are fully informed about the childminder's policies

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provision

and procedures. However, as the complaints procedure does not contain the full contact details for the regulator parents are potentially delayed in reporting any written concerns.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are consistently offered a wide range of opportunities that support them in making good progress in all areas of learning and development although this is not currently clear to see on the written plans. The planning of activities is well organised and flexible ensuring that the children's individual needs are met. The childminder works closely with the local nursery following their themes and topics to consolidate the knowledge and understanding that the children have already gained. For example, whilst covering a 'keeping warm' theme the children talk about animals that hibernate. This is transferred to the childminder's house where they look up hibernating animals on the computer. They then move onto another children's internet site and play a matching pairs game involving animals that the children recognise as those that hibernate. This is then extended to an activity and discussion about how people keep themselves warm. The children make paper

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

models of themselves choosing to wear jumpers, scarves and hats. They colour the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 model in using different coloured paints which they then decide to paint on their hands asking each other 'Shall we get really messy?' which they then do thoroughly enjoying the experience.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures that there is a good balance of adult-led and child- initiated activities. These are also flexible enabling the children to freely choose what they would like to do. Having had a busy morning at nursery the children decide that instead of doing the planned craft activity with the childminder that they would rather play with the dolls house together still developing their creative skills but through play and use of their imagination. The childminder uses her good knowledge of the children to adapt the activities to their individual needs. For example, whilst doing a painting activity the younger children will use the paints to experience its feel and texture whilst the older children will use their decision making skills to paint what they would like. The childminder knows the children very well using her visual and written observations and assessments to plan their further progression towards the early learning goals. However, this is not clearly

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children are treated with equal concern and respected individually. Their understanding of the wider world is promoted because cultural awareness is actively promoted. For example, they celebrate Chinese New Year by making Chinese Lanterns and using chopsticks to try and eat noodles. The childminder is able to provide care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities and promotes an inclusive environment. Children clearly enjoy their time with the childminder and have forged good friendships with her and each other. They are encouraged to use appropriate behaviour for example, sharing toys with each other and being kind. Children are clearly praised and encouraged by the childminder who, as a role model, encourages them to make the right choices. Children's health and welfare are positively promoted as the childminder takes steps to minimise the spread of infection. They are encouraged to wash their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

hands regularly and enthusiastically wipe the table and chairs after lunch. They are learning about their own safety and that of others as they discuss road safety on the way to and from school and remind the childminder to be careful when she stands on a chair to reach the art aprons. 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? 3

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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: 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 made to Ofsted 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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