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 EY306615 Inspection date 16/03/2009 Inspector Susan Tuffnell

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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 husband and their three children aged two, four and 13. The childminder works alongside her husband who is also a registered childminder. The family live in a residential area of Dunstable, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the premises and two bedrooms and a bathroom on the first floor is used for childminding. There is a rear garden for outside play. The premises are accessible by a low step to the entrance. The family have a dog, two guinea pigs and fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care every weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for one child on the Early Years Register and currently five children attend on flexible contracts. The childminder currently provides care for one child on the Compulsory Childcare Register (CCR) and three children on the Voluntary Childcare Register. When working with her husband, at the same premises, they may provide care for a maximum of 10 children. All the children share the same facilities. The childminder is registered to care for children overnight.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and works in partnership with parents, carers and other professionals. She walks or drives to local schools, pre-school and toddler groups to take and collect children.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a generally safe and welcoming environment that supports children very well in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The close partnership with parents and the stimulating and varied activities contribute significantly to meeting individual children's needs. The outstanding and successful promotion of diversity and equal opportunities through the children's daily routines, activities and equipment ensures that all children are highly valued. An effective self-evaluation process identifies a clear understanding of priorities for improvement to strive to provide the very best care and education for the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out regular fire evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book.

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provision

The childminder manages the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision very well. She demonstrates a positive attitude to continuous improvement through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 evaluating her practice and a good self-evaluation supports this. The childminder continues to improve her understanding and practice and has attended training for the EYFS framework. Children are safeguarded because the childminder takes necessary steps to protect and promote the welfare of children through secure safeguarding procedures and excellent procedures for the uncollected or missing child.

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provision

The childminder provides an truly inclusive service that promotes children's welfare requirements. She understands and engages in reflective practice, respecting diversity and valuing a child as a unique individual. Consequently, inclusive practice is promoted so that all children have their welfare requirements met very well. The close partnership with parents contributes significantly to ensuring that the needs of all the children are met and parents are complimentary about the individual service given to their children. The childminder works as part of the Community Childminding Scheme and successfully engages with many different professionals to provide the best care for children in some complex arrangements. Making links with the school about the children's development and care enables the childminder to support children at the setting and work successfully with parents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are supported very well as they access a good range of interesting and challenging play materials and equipment. Information is collected from parents about children's interests, needs and capabilities and the childminder uses this to inform initial assessments. Focussed observations are carried forward from children's starting points and the next steps of learning are identified.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are offered a balanced range of activities and are encouraged to make choices and instigate play opportunities. They explore their local environment as they collect leaves in the woods, visit parks and help with the shopping. Interesting and imaginative outings are planned during school holiday times such as visits to children's farms, the zoo, safari park and the butterfly farm to look at different animals and their habitats. Older children enjoy train rides to the seaside or visit museums and watch the street entertainers in London. All the children take part in kite flying and fruit and vegetable picking. Children's understanding of the wider world in enhanced and extended as they fill shoe boxes with presents for children in developing countries. They decorate the boxes and put photographs of themselves on the lid. Children are engaged in conversation with adults and peers, they make decisions and are confident to ask for what they want. The childminder

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and her co-childminder have very close relationships with the children and show them a great deal of affection. As a result, children are self-motivated, confident and eager to listen and learn. The childminder supports the children's language development as she speaks clearly to them and waits for them to reply. She asks open-ended questions and encourages them to work things out for themselves. For example, children are able to work out how to clean all areas of the playhouse and to leave the doors and windows open to dry in the sunshine. The childminder encourages the children to be independent. They help tidy up the play area and are learning to self-care in toileting. Children are active in their learning and generally play together harmoniously. For example, they are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 reminded to share resources and be kind to each other as they draw and colour.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The attractive and stimulating playroom contains an abundance of resources that children access freely. They have access to paper and mark-making equipment and an interesting range of information and story books. Children are happy and play purposefully. They are encouraged to identify colours, shapes and numbers as they play and have a wide range of resources and activities to enable them to explore and investigate. For example, concepts such as weight and volume are investigated through cooking ingredients and water play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a generally safe and secure environment because the childminder has an excellent knowledge of this area. Young children are beginning to understand about keeping themselves safe as they learn about road safety and avoiding hazards, such as tidying up the toys. A fire evacuation procedure has been devised and fire drills are carried out with the children. However, there are no records to ensure that evacuations are effective in raising children's awareness and confidence in a real fire situation. Well recorded medication and accident forms ensure that children's welfare is monitored and parents kept fully informed. The childminder has completed excellent risk assessments which include routine outings and trips. Children are offered a healthy diet and their growth and development is promoted through a varied menu and regular fresh air and exercise. 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? 1 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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