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 EY309260 Inspection date 27/04/2009 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 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 two children aged one and six in a village near Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house and two first floor bedrooms are available for childminding. Children have access to the 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 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 four children on roll, three 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 ongoing support and encouragement from the childminder ensure that children are included and benefit from the activities and opportunities offered. The flexible activity planning is a key strength, meaning that children's interests and current developmental needs are reflected within the daily activities and play opportunities. The childminder maintains a positive attitude to self-evaluation and has a realistic picture of her strengths and weaknesses. She implements plans to continue to improve children's daily experiences and remain responsive to their needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the assessment and planning procedures further to include an initial assessment and show how the next developmental steps for each child are included in the planning.

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provision

The childminder has developed clear procedures to support the ongoing evaluation and development of her practice. She attends a range of additional training and actively seeks feedback from parents and children to help her review her work and identify areas for improvement. She utilises this information to develop clear plans for the future, leading to the potential to improve outcomes for children. Recent changes have included the re-organisation of toys and resources so that children are able to see what is available and make independent choices about their play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder maintains good relationships with parents and carers, supporting the efficient exchange of information and helping to ensure that children are offered consistent care. Parents are consistently informed of their child's activities and development through daily discussions and the regular sharing of information

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provision

in their assessment records. The childminder's good liaison with pre-school means that she is aware of their current topics and children's individual targets, enabling her to provide complementary activities and support.

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provision

The practical implementation of thorough safeguarding policies, the childminder's regular attendance at training and updating of her knowledge ensure that children are protected and their welfare promoted. The childminder carries out thorough risk assessments of her home and outings to make sure that hazards to children are minimised or removed. Ongoing explanations and good daily practice promote children's understanding of safety issues. For example, they practise road safety whenever they are out and discuss issues such as stranger danger.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children participate in a varied range of activities that support them in making good progress in all areas of learning. Their independence and active participation in their own learning are promoted because the childminder is confident in enabling children to determine their own play, providing appropriate support whenever needed. Activities and play opportunities are planned according to children's current interests and developmental needs, based on the childminder's observations and assessments of them. This ensures that their individual needs are documented and they are offered appropriate activities to promote their development. However, the assessment and planning process is not fully utilised to maximise children's learning as it does not include a clear record of their starting points and a consistent procedure for feeding the next developmental steps into planning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are encouraged to explore and are gaining a good appreciation and understanding of the environment. They enjoy helping with gardening and grow their own plants and vegetables. They are encouraged to be active learners, think critically and solve problems. For example, they play games and complete puzzles that encourage counting and number recognition.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The stimulating environment and easily accessible resources inspire children to explore and extend their understanding. Children actively use the displays and photographs to help inform their choice of resources. Their learning is further extended and their enjoyment enhanced because the childminder makes resources to meet their needs. For example, children enjoy exploring the creative range of items in the 'textures box'. Children are well supported because the childminder is vigilant, allowing children time to explore and intervening appropriately to extend their play and learning. For example, children enjoy exploring a book and the childminder offers further explanations about the characteristics of the animals depicted.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Thoughtful planning means that children are offered a range of activities that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promote their understanding. For example, their knowledge of the relevance of healthy eating is extended as they make their own placemats to illustrate this. The childminder's good forward planning means that children are offered additional activities. They enjoy bus trips to nearby towns, visit a farm and explore a local transport museum. Their learning is gently reinforced. For example, after visiting the farm, children made their own animal masks.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's development is further promoted because the childminder makes good use of incidental learning opportunities. For example, children discuss the shapes of their sandwiches, correctly naming squares, triangles and rectangles. Their understanding and awareness are increased because the childminder makes good use of resources. Their awareness of differences and individuality are promoted, for example, as they draw pictures of children from around the world, using a range of reference books to inform their drawings and encourage further discussion. 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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