Childminder in Bedford

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 219377 Inspection date 10/03/2009 Inspector Kelly Eyre

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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 1993. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Kempston, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The property is accessed by a low step and facilities are located on the ground floor. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Children on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register. There are currently three children on roll, all of whom are in the Early Years age range.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder sensitively offers children support in activities and daily routines so that they are fully included and benefit from the opportunities she provides. The childminder's diligent approach to using children's observations and assessments to inform the daily planning ensures that they are offered a wide range of appropriate activities that reflect their current developmental needs. The conscientious approach to obtaining feedback and evaluating her practice enables the childminder to formulate clear plans to continue to improve children's daily care.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the assessment procedures so that these show children's starting points and their progress.

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provision

The daily implementation of thorough safety procedures and safeguarding policies, alongside the childminder's regular updating of her knowledge ensures that children are protected and their welfare promoted. The childminder carries out and reviews thorough risk assessments of her home, activities and outings to make sure that hazards to children are minimised or removed. Children gain a good understanding of issues such as safety in the home, stranger danger and road safety through ongoing explanations and good daily practise.

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provision

The childminder has thorough procedures for the evaluation and development of her practice, seeking feedback and maintaining a positive attitude to this. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 participates in a range of additional training to help inform and review her daily work. She identifies weaknesses and develops clear plans for the future, to lead to the potential to improve outcomes for children. Recent changes have included the addition of further resources for younger children and the introduction of assessments so that next steps are identified and are used to inform planning, thereby ensuring that children's individual development is promoted.

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provision

The good partnership with parents and carers means that the childminder is able to obtain and exchange comprehensive information and therefore support children to participate in activities and help them to make good progress in their learning. For example, the childminder is aware of children's preferences and favourite toys, using these to help them feel settled and capture their interest.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are offered a creative range of activities that help them to make good progress in all areas of learning. The childminder's good procedures for gathering information about children and her use of daily observations mean that she has a clear knowledge of their individual interests and current developmental needs, feeding these into the planning. For example, the childminder notes that young children are showing an interest in gluing activities and offers them further challenge by introducing opportunities for them to learn to use scissors safely in order to cut their own shapes. Activity planning is securely based on daily observations of children. However, their development is not fully promoted because assessment procedures do not always include an initial assessment and a clear procedure for recording children's progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to explore, through sensitive support offered from the childminder. This promotes their development and enables them to become confident and enquiring learners. For example, young children have time to explore activity centres before the childminder demonstrates the various functions, introducing additional vocabulary as the children are encouraged to name the animals and make the corresponding animal noises. Children's knowledge is further extended and their self-esteem promoted because the childminder offers lots of appropriate praise and encouragement. For example, children building towers with wooden blocks join in the clapping as they add the bricks, repeating this and then copying the childminder as they count the bricks in each tower.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing a keen interest in books, accessing these independently and choosing group stories. For example, young children choose a book and thoroughly enjoy sitting with the childminder to read this, eagerly describing the illustrations and exploring the textures on each page. They are offered many options to write and make marks, showing great concentration as they hold the pencils correctly or use large paint brushes to 'paint' the garden fence with water. They are offered interesting opportunities to explore colour, texture and form. For example, they enjoy splatter painting, paint pictures of trees using hand prints, play in the snow and explore sand, water play and play dough.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to appreciate and explore their environment. They collect This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 leaves to make collages, grow cress, sunflowers and runner beans and visit the farm where they ride-on animals, use static equipment, enjoy tractor rides and play in the ball pool. Children are gaining a good awareness of other ways of life through activities, daily access to a wide range of resources and regular discussions where they share information about their various cultures and beliefs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The interesting environment and generally accessible resources encourage children to explore and extend their understanding. For example, young children help themselves activity centres, construction sets, books and puzzles, happily exploring these independently or sharing them with the childminder and other children. 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 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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