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 EY259353 Inspection date 02/04/2009 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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children aged ten and 14 in Luton, 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.

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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 on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register. There are currently five children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. A particular strength is the childminder's skill in continuously assessing children and, therefore, providing appropriate activities that incorporate their individual interests and meet their developmental needs. The childminder knows the children well and offers them appropriate support to ensure that they are included in all activities and daily routines and can, therefore, benefit from the opportunities provided. Her conscientious approach to ongoing self-evaluation means that she is aware of her strengths and weaknesses and can develop clear plans to continue to improve children's daily care and experiences.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the complaints procedure to include details for contacting Ofsted.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to continuously reviewing and improving her practice, utilising her ongoing self-evaluation to inform the development and implementation of future plans and improvements. She also participates in a range of additional training to help inform and review her daily work. Recent changes have included the provision of a ground floor bathroom to improve access and the introduction of assessments, which are actively used to inform planning and, thereby, ensure that children's individual development is promoted.

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provision

The daily implementation of thorough safety procedures and safeguarding policies This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensures that children are protected and their welfare promoted. The childminder carries out and frequently reviews thorough risk assessments to make sure that hazards are minimised or removed. Children gain a good understanding of issues such as safety in the home and road safety through ongoing explanations and good daily practice. Parents are able to access the childminder's policies and procedures, which cover most aspects of her daily work. However, the complaints procedure does not contain all relevant contact details for Ofsted, meaning that there could be a delay in reporting any concerns.

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provision

The good partnership with parents and carers means that the childminder is able to obtain and exchange information about children and, therefore, support them in participating in activities and in making good progress in their learning. The good exchange of information with other settings providing care for the children ensures that the childminder is able to provide consistent care and can offer support and activities to complement those provided by, for example, the school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are offered a wide range of activities that capture their interest and help them to make good progress in all areas of learning. The childminder's good use of daily observations mean that she has a clear knowledge of children's current developmental needs, feeding these into the planning. Children's progress is effectively monitored and regularly reviewed to ensure that they continue to be offered a balanced range of opportunities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop valuable independence skills as they are encouraged to make choices about their play and activities. Their self-esteem is also raised as they are gently supported in these choices by the childminder. For example, young children explore a construction set and the childminder demonstrates how to build towers, moving on with them when they choose to play with trains, by demonstrating how to build the train track. Children enjoy playing independently but also develop social and communication skills as they interact with their peers and the childminder. For example, children choose a puzzle and laugh and giggle as the childminder encourages them to name the animals depicted in the pictures and to make the corresponding animal noises.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The thoughtful planning of activities means that children's learning is gently reinforced. For example, children talk about healthy eating, grow their own cress and then use this to make sandwiches. Their sense of self-worth is promoted and their knowledge extended because their home language is understood and valued by the childminder. She ensures that she has a wide range of key words in the relevant languages and actively uses these in daily play and conversations with the children.

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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 stories to explore together. Regular visits to the library further enhances their enjoyment of books and reading. They are gaining a good understanding of the relevance of healthy lifestyles and hygiene practices. They discuss healthy eating and make their own placemats to illustrate this. They can This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 also explain why they need to wash their hands before eating and clean their teeth after meals.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Good use is made of outdoor areas to encourage children to explore their environment and ensure that they are offered a balanced range of opportunities. The childminder's good planning means that as many activities as possible are offered outside. For example, children paint, play with sand and engage in role play scenarios in the garden. They also grow a range of plants such as flowers, vegetables and tomatoes. Children are gaining a realistic awareness of diversity and other ways of life through activities, daily access to a range of resources and regular discussions where they share information and ideas.

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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. They are positively encouraged to make choices and are clearly aware of where items are stored. For example, young children set out the car mat and then go a large storage box to collect cars to put on the mat, making the sounds of engines and sirens as they set these up. 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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