Childminder in Central BedfordshireOfsted inspection, 28 Apr 2009

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 219850 Inspection date 28/04/2009 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 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 1998. She lives with her husband in the town of Stotfold, Bedfordshire. The childminding area is on the ground floor and consists of a lounge/dining room, kitchen and toilet. One bedroom on the first floor is used for children to sleep. There is a fully enclosed outside play area. The premises are accessibly by a step to the front entrance.

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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 the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for three children on the Early Year Register and currently three children attend. Currently there are two children attending on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and no children attend on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register.

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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. The childminder holds the Diploma in Pre-school Practice qualification.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides a very safe and welcoming environment that supports children very well in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The close partnership with parents and well-planned activities contribute significantly to meeting individual children's needs. Children are highly valued at the setting because the childminder promotes diversity and equal opportunities through the careful planning of activities and resources. The self-evaluation process identifies some 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?

 ensure that children's identified learning needs (the next steps) are carried forward and implemented into future planning to give a clear picture of progress.

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provision

The childminder effectively manages the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision. She demonstrates a positive attitude to continuous improvement through evaluating her practice and has began the process of self-evaluation. The childminder continues to improve her understanding and practice and has attended training for the EYFS framework. Children are safeguarded well because the childminder takes necessary steps to protect and promote their welfare through This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 robust safeguarding procedures and effective policies.

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provision

The childminder provides a 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. Parents and carers are involved as partners in promoting children's learning and development and are kept fully informed of their child’s achievements through appropriate policies and procedures and the regular sharing of information. The childminder is highly valued by parents who comment positively about their children's care and education in recent questionnaires.

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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. Well recorded observations are carried out regularly and link securely to the early learning goals. The next steps of learning are clearly identified on the observation sheets, however, they are not forwarded into future planning to show a clear picture of progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Excellent weekly planning incorporates the children's individual routines and a weekly theme. Interesting activities are arranged to extend children's experiences across the six areas of learning and individual learning programmes are created for each child to track their development. Children are offered a balanced range of activities and are encouraged to make choices and instigate play opportunities. The learning environment is planned to ensure children have choice of a range of appropriate and stimulating resources that are freely available. Children's language development is continually encouraged by the childminder through open-ended questions to promote a response. She speaks to the children clearly and they repeat words and short sentences. Children name resources as they play and are encouraged to identify colours and shapes in books and to count objects. Children show interest in technology as they investigate the tape recorder and demonstrate

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

how to turn it on and off. They learn quickly how to open the top by pressing the eject button. Electronic toys help the children's coordination as they tap the keys to make sounds and music. Children plant daisy seeds and vegetables and help to care for them. Well planned topics help the children understand about nature, seasons and weather. For example, children work together on a Spring collage using a variety of materials and medium such as tissue, cloth and paint. This is proudly displayed for the children and parents. Children investigate nature as they watch the birds and squirrels in the garden and feed the ducks and swans on an outing to the park. Children are sociable and friendly and include others in their play. They generally share the resources and play well together. Children are supported well by the childminder who is fully involved in all aspects of their care and development. Children learn a colour, shape and number each week and this

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

is used in activities, stories and games to enhance and extend their understanding. For example, children recognise the triangle shape as they look at books and can distinguish different shades of colours. Children's art folder includes examples of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their art and craft work and wonderful photographs of the children participating in an imaginative range of activities are available to parents. Children are able to express their feeling and wishes through regular discussion times where they can talk about their experiences and what they have done or going to do. The children continue to be challenged, interested and excited about the activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a very safe and secure environment because the childminder ensures that all areas are checked before children arrive at the premises. Extensive risk assessments clearly identify aspects of the environment that need to be checked on a regular basis and attention to health and safety is excellent with daily safety checks carried out to ensure a consistent approach of minimising risk to children. Children learn about their own safety and the safety of others as they practise road awareness when out walking and adhere to safety rules inside and outside the house. Children are offered a healthy diet and their growth and development is promoted through a good 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? 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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