Childminder in Luton

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 EY297747 Inspection date 03/03/2009 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 2004. She lives with her husband and four children aged nine, 12, 16 and 18 years in Luton, Bedfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Accessibility to the premises is via one small step. The family has no pets.

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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 four 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 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 good care for all children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. She offers a safe, secure and welcoming environment in which children thrive. She offers flexible care arrangements meeting the needs of parents and providing continuity for the children. She builds a trusting relationship with the parents and pre-schools to ensure that all children's individual needs are met. The childminder's effective approach to planning ensures that the children's interests and development are promoted and that they enjoy their time with her. She has made a positive start to self-evaluating her practice and is starting to get a picture of her strengths and the areas for improvement. Therefore, she is able to make effective changes to improve the daily care and experiences for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve further the use of children's starting points, planning and observations to consistently demonstrate the areas of learning covered and the plans for children's further challenge  ensure that risk assessments are carried out for each specific outing  ensure that children's specific times of arrival and departure are recorded.

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provision

Effective safeguarding policies and procedures ensure that children are well- protected at all times. For example, the childminder has planned additional training to increase her knowledge of child protection and has all the required contact numbers for concerns. The childminder uses clear and practical procedures for This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 monitoring the environment enabling the children to move around the setting freely. She carries out daily visual checks of the premises and more detailed risk assessments every six months. However, as specific risk assessments are not in place for outings undertaken by the children, their safety is potentially affected. Also children's actual times of arrival and departure are not always recorded. The childminder has made a positive start to evaluating her practice in the form of written questionnaires for the parents and by completing the self-evaluation form

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provision

before the inspection. She has a suitable awareness of her strengths and areas for improvement and has demonstrated her capacity to improve since the last inspection.

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provision

The children's individual development is 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 nursery and school ensures that all relevant information is shared, involving the parents in their child's learning. The use of photographs and assessment records help those involved further the children's progression. A comprehensive prospectus ensures that parents are fully informed about the childminder's policies and procedures as reflected in comments such as 'So far everything is perfect' confirming this.

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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. Planning is organised to ensure that all areas of learning are covered, although this and the areas for children's further progression are not always clear to see on the written assessments and plans currently provided. Information from observation and assessment is however used well to ensure that children achieve as much as they can in relation to their capabilities. For example, children are observed playing with a new farm set. They put the farmer on the quad bike and close the gate 'so the animals don't get out'. They then make up a story telling the childminder how the dog is scared because of noises the other animals make and count the animals into the farm house. This activity is linked to their personal and social development, their language skills, problem solving and physical skills and knowledge and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

understanding of the world. The next step planned is to further encourage the children's interest of animals by drawing some of their favourites.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder uses her flexible planning to ensure that there is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. Children are encouraged to choose what they would like to do and are then supported by the childminder who adapts the activity to meet the needs of the children involved and extend their learning. For example, while playing a game called 'Hungry Harry' the children and childminder discuss the different types of fruit and vegetables on the cards. The childminder asks the younger children to identify fruits that they know well such as banana and orange whilst she extends the older children by asking them to name items such as aubergine and sweet corn. They confidently correct the childminder when she labels one fruit as a raspberry instead of a blueberry. When the children become rather protective over the cards they are sensitively asked to share them with the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

other children enabling all to join in and helping them learn positive behaviour. The childminder acts as a positive role model encouraging the children to take turns and be kind to each other.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health and welfare is effectively promoted as the childminder takes positive steps to minimise the spread of infection and provide the children with a well-balanced diet. They develop a good understanding of protecting their own safety as they regularly practise the emergency evacuation drill and talk about road safety when out and about in the local community. Older children are also made aware of where the first aid box is stored should they ever need to find it in an emergency. Their understanding of the wider world is encouraged as they play with resources reflecting different cultures and celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year and Mardi gras. Overall, the childminder effectively plans and organises their systems to ensure that every child receives an enjoyable and challenging learning and development experience that is tailored to meet their individual needs. 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: 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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