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 EY297267 Inspection date 12/06/2009 Inspector Anna Davies

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and nine years in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access into and out of the childminder's home is at ground level. Toilet facilities are upstairs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently six children on roll, four of whom are within the early years age range. The provision is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, offering care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder supports children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. The house is within walking distance of local amenities such as schools, the library, shops and parks. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder creates a safe and welcoming environment for children. She provides a wide range of activities that meet children's learning and development needs as well as promoting their interests which ensures that they enjoy their time spent with her and gain the most from their play and learning experiences. The childminder has a good awareness about promoting inclusive practice, she recognises and values the uniqueness of each child and ensures their individual needs are met through effective communication with parents.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to improving the provision for all children. She has effective systems in place to monitor and evaluate her practice and she clearly identifies key strengths and areas for further development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of assessment procedures further, this relates to continuing to record observations and using these to identify and monitor childrens next steps and overall progress towards the Early Learning Goals  develop the record of risk assessment to include specific outings undertaken with children and the provision of any higher risk activities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children's welfare, care and safety are well promoted as the childminder is committed to improving her knowledge and awareness of relevant issues and has attended a good range of training initiatives since the last inspection such as safeguarding children, nutrition and oral health and outdoor play. The childminder has a well-organised portfolio of policies and procedures in place which underpins the good quality of care she provides. All required records and documentation are in place. For example, clear risk assessments identify potential risks to children's safety in the childminder's home and garden and the childminder takes appropriate action to ensure these risks are minimised. However, they do not include risk assessments of specific outings that she takes the children on or higher risk activities, for example, exploratory activities using materials such as soil and maize pellets.

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provision

Children benefit from the layout of the childminder's home. They are able to access both the indoor and outdoor environment easily, and a good range of labelled boxes of toys and resources are independently accessible to children around the lounge or in low-level storage units in the good-sized kitchen. Examples of children's work adorn the walls together with educational and informative posters to stimulate their learning. Good relationships have formed between parents and the childminder. Parents receive clear information about their children's care through general feedback at the end of the day and through daily diaries. They are encouraged to become involved in their child's learning through sharing information about what their children have been doing at the weekend and bringing in leaflets or photographs of places they have visited with their children so that this may be shared with all children. The childminder pays particular attention

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provision

to individual family celebrations to ensure that children develop a firm connection between her provision and their own family life. Compact discs of photographs of activities enjoyed by the children are provided to parents so that they can share in their child's time with the childminder. Parents speak extremely highly of the childminder, the individual care and support she offers as well as the range of activities she provides in order to effectively promote their children's learning. The childminder has developed good partnerships with the local pre-school to ensure she is able to provide continuity of care and learning for children who attend the pre-school as well as her setting.

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provision

Arrangements for safeguarding children are fully in place. The childminder has attended training and has good procedures in place for identifying any child at risk of harm, recording concerns and making a referral if necessary. The childminder demonstrates a commitment to further developing her provision. For example, she has responded positively to recommendations raised at the last inspection, consequently improving her communication with parents with particular regard to the care of sick children and written agreements.

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provision

The childminder has a clear and realistic awareness of her own provision and is able to clearly identify areas for further development. She intends to focus on developing her formal assessment arrangements to ensure that they fully underpin This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the good quality of care and education she provides and is currently recording how activities can be extended for the more able or older children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are offered a good range of activities both indoors and outdoors, covering all areas of learning. They enjoy accessing the outdoor area, for example enjoying stories and role play in the tent, bouncing on the trampoline and riding sit and ride toys. Activities are well planned and considered, following topics such as 'our bodies', 'farms' or 'under the sea'. They cover all six areas of learning and are stimulating as well as, well thought out. For example, children enjoy investigating the 'farm' landscape set up in a large play tray, incorporating soil, maize pellets, leaves and pebbles. The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn. She uses her own observations to ensure that she is fully aware of where children are in their learning and how she will move them onto the next stage. She is in the process of beginning to record these observations to provide a secure system of monitoring and sharing information relating to children's next steps and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

overall progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder is skilled at using her good knowledge of individual children to effectively support and challenge their learning, adapting activities to meet the individual needs and abilities of the children. For example, she encourages older children to look at how magnets work; how they repel each other if not connected correctly, whilst encouraging younger children's fine motor skills in constructing simple shapes with the magnetic pieces. Children with learning difficulties or who speak English as an additional language are well supported, for example, the childminder uses extra resources such as bilingual books from the library and resources from the children's homes to further enhance the learning opportunities for all children. The childminder confidently works with outside agencies and parents in order to meet children's individual and additional needs.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. They are able to make choices and decisions for example, about the snack they wish to eat and the toys they would like to use; this promotes their independence. They are keen to learn and benefit from the childminder's effective support and interaction at all times. Older children express their thoughts and ideas clearly and confidently recall past activities they have enjoyed with the childminder. Regular visits to local toddler groups further enhances the range of activities offered and provides opportunities to socialise with others. Younger children are encouraged in developing their communication skills. For example, when they indicate that they want something, the childminder gives them a choice, clearly labelling those choices so as to encourage new vocabulary. Children enjoy using the trampoline and are keen to see their hair in the mirror when it goes static as they bounce.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

They learn about healthy eating and have created 'yummy, yummy, good things for our tummy' posters. Older children engross themselves in their role play ideas and younger children enjoy exploring the feel, texture and smell of different materials. Photo albums show a wealth of stimulating activities enjoyed by the children such as making outfits from plastic bags for a fashion show, feeding animals at the farm, growing sunflowers and body painting. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are learning how they can keep themselves safe at the setting. For example they are encouraged to get on and off the trampoline safely and advised that one person at a time must use it. Their good health is effectively promoted. Children are cared for in a clean, homely environment where procedures to minimise the risk of cross contamination are effective. Meals and snacks provided

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

by the childminder are healthy and nutritious ensuring that fresh fruit and vegetables are included wherever possible. Snacks of fresh fruit platters provide opportunities for children to try new tastes such as blueberries or clementines. Drinks are freely accessible at all times which ensures they remain well-hydrated. Positive behaviour is promoted through the stimulating environment and the praise and positive encouragement given by the childminder. 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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