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 EY373303 Inspection date 11/06/2009 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 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 2008. She lives with her partner and two children aged two and four in Marston Moretaine, Bedfordshire. All of the ground floor of the property, except for the dining room and utility room, is used for childminding and there is a first floor bedroom for children requiring undisturbed rest. Children have access to the fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The property is accessed by a slope 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 compulsory and voluntary 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 two children on roll, both 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 has thorough procedures for obtaining relevant information about children, enabling her to offer them appropriate support and ensure that they are included and benefit from the opportunities provided. She also makes good use of the information about children to enable her to offer them appropriate activities that support their individual development. The childminder's positive attitude to continuously improving her practice means that she makes good use of ongoing self-evaluation to help her formulate 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?

 develop further the assessment procedures so that these show children's progress and their next steps to feed into planning  develop further links with all other providers caring for the children.

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provision

The childminder has developed practical policies that support her daily practice and help to ensure that children's health and overall development are promoted. Thorough procedures relating to safeguarding children mean that the childminder is able to promote their welfare and ensure that they are protected at all times. She carries out comprehensive risk assessments of outings and all areas of the home to make sure that hazards to children are minimised or removed. Children gain a clear understanding of safety issues through ongoing explanations and good daily practice, such as the regular practising of the emergency evacuation This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures.

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provision

The childminder maintains a very positive approach to the continuous evaluation and development of her practice. She realistically identifies weaknesses and develops clear plans for the future, to lead to the potential to improve outcomes for children. For example, recent changes have included the introduction of detailed observations and assessments, ensuring that children's needs are recognised and their individual development promoted.

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provision

The good partnership with parents and carers means that the childminder is able to obtain appropriate information about children and therefore offer sensitive support and ensure consistent care. Parents are kept well informed of their children's progress and daily activities through regular discussions and the use of daily diaries and notice boards. However this area is not fully promoted as the childminder has not made links with all others providing care for the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's regular assessments and good procedures for gathering information about children mean that she has a clear knowledge of their individual interests and uses these to extend their learning. She offers children a wide range of activities that maintain their interest and help them to make good progress in all areas. However, their development is not fully promoted because the assessment procedures do not consistently show children's ongoing progress or show how their next developmental steps are fed into the overall planning.

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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 explore the interactive activity centre and the childminder demonstrates how to activate the various functions. Children are encouraged to be active in their learning and to think critically to solve simple problems. For example, when playing with sand and water, children pour and measure, comparing the capacities of the different containers.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's knowledge is extended because the childminder makes good use of incidental learning opportunities. For example, children work out how to slot the different shapes into the shape sorter and name the colours of the balls as they knock them through the holes. Children are encouraged to be active learners and to explore their environment. They enjoy regular visits to the forest centre, where they note the changing environment as they look at the trees and plants and collect leaves to take home.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The interesting environment and accessible resources encourage children to explore and extend their understanding. For example, young children become engrossed in their role play with the toy kitchen, extending this as they add further resources from the nearby storage box. The provision of additional resources further promotes children's understanding and enhances their enjoyment. For example, they thoroughly enjoy exploring the textures of different cereals in a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 large tray.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder carefully plans activities to help reinforce children's learning. For example, children are encouraged to talk about the outings they have been on, drawing pictures to illustrate what they have seen. Their understanding of other ways of life is realistically promoted. For example, they discuss differences in culture and gender as they look at books together. 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

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