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 219777 Inspection date 24/04/2009 Inspector Andrea Ewer

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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 registered in 1994 and is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age range and one older child.

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Description of the childminding

She lives in Toddington, Bedfordshire with her husband and three children aged 11, 15 and 16 years old. Care is provided on the ground floor of the house and includes the living room, dining room, cloakroom and kitchen. Children share access to the garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder is developing her understanding of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and generally supports children's learning well. Children feel valued as individuals and start to respect each other's similarities and differences. The childminder has friendly relationships with parents and information about children is shared daily which promotes a consistent approach to their care and ensures appropriate care is given. The childminder understands the importance of developing partnerships with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to children in her care. She is developing the use of self-evaluation to further improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the information obtained about what children know and can do when they start to inform planning for each child's continuing development through play-based activities.  develop ongoing observational assessment in order to establish where each child is in their learning, where they need to go, and the most effective practice to support them in getting there

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment that identifies aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and maintain a record of these particular aspects and when and by whom they have been checked and review it regularly (Suitable premises, environment and equipment, also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register) 19/06/2009  request written parental permission, at the time of 19/06/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 each child's admission, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare)

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provision

Written policies and procedures are shared with parents and are inclusive for all who attend. Information about children is obtained from parents at the start of childminding arrangements and updated daily thereafter, during discussions and in writing through the use of a daily diary. This keeps parents fully informed about their children and supports the childminder to meet children's individual needs. Written contracts set out expectations between the childminder and parents and a written policy informs parents how to make a complaint. The childminder understands the importance of developing partnerships with others involved in the care and education of children in the early years age range.

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provision

The childminder has addressed recommendations from the previous inspection by developing her policies and procedures to include a written complaints procedure and is starting to use self-evaluation to identify her strengths and priorities for development to further improve outcomes for children.

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provision

Children are cared for in a well-organised home where their safety is promoted well overall. They move freely between the living room, dining room and well- maintained garden as they participate in stimulating activities of their choice. Effective measures are in place to reduce the risk of accidents including smoke alarms on both floors of the house, socket covers fitted to unused electric sockets and safety gates that prevent children gaining unsupervised access to the stairs and kitchen. The childminder has not yet conducted a risk assessment to support the visual checks carried out daily. She has a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and the written safeguarding children procedure takes account of local authority guidelines which ensures children are protected from harm or neglect.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children feel secure in the homely environment where they share warm, friendly relationships with the childminder who knows them well. They enjoy participating in a stimulating range of both adult led and child-initiated activities that overall meets their play and development needs and helps them to enjoy and achieve. The childminder is developing her understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and shares what she knows with parents. She does not, however, obtain information about what children know and can do at the start of childminding arrangements to support her to provide activities based on their interests and build on skills they already have. Although the recently introduced record of children's achievements shows some children's progress towards the early learning goals, they are not completed for all children and are not used to identify or plan the next 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

steps for individual children. Consequently, children are not fully supported to achieve their potential and parents are not fully involved in their children's learning and development. Children develop communication, language and literacy skills as they access the vast range of books. They listen to stories with interest, talk about the story and answer questions that helps them develop their language for thinking. For example, 'why are they going slowly?' and 'who do you think will win the race?'. Children develop problem solving, reasoning and numeracy skills as part of everyday activities such as counting how many monkeys and elephants are in the picture. They talk about the shape of the pieces as they complete the puzzle and think critically as they build a model using construction toys. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills during regular outdoor play in the garden and local walks. They improve co-ordination of their bodies and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

develop their large muscles as they happily push the ball around in the wheelbarrow and attempt to hop on one leg.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The organisation of space, furniture and resources provides an enabling environment which supports children to become independent and ensures their safety. The childminder gives careful consideration to the organisation of resources to ensure children under two years are unable to access toys with small pieces and at times, limits the activities set out to help particular children concentrate. Children are very well behaved. They respond very well to simple explanation, lots of praise and encouragement which helps them to feel valued. Friendly and consistent interaction with the childminder who guides their play, encourages children to share and take turns. Children's good health is generally well promoted. The childminder holds an up-to-date first aid qualification and the well-stocked first aid kit ensures children receive appropriate care in the event of minor accidents or illness. The childminder has not obtained written consent from parents to seek

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

emergency medical advice or treatment which potentially compromises children's good health. Children start to learn simple good hygiene practises and the childminder maintains the good hygiene standards as part of daily routines. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified within the early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 19/06/2009

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