Childminder in Milton Keynes

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 EY366448 Inspection date 02/06/2009 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 was registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and eight years. The family live in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. There is a secure brick walled rear garden for children to use. The premises are within walking distance of local, shops, pre-school and parks. The childminder is registered to care for four children and is currently minding four children in the early years age range. The childminder is registered to provide overnight care for two children. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is currently working towards National Vocational Qualification at Level 3.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder provides very well for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). They feel highly valued, confident and secure in the homely environment where their individual needs are routinely met because the childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. The extremely good partnerships with parents and others ensures children's welfare, learning and development are promoted very well. Some aspects of their safety and good health are not fully promoted. Self-evaluation forms an integral part of the childminder's practice and ensures outcomes for children are continually enhanced.

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further?

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

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further?

 update the risk assessment to cover all outings, in particular swimming trips  improve awareness of the requirements of health and safety legislation with particular regard to hygiene requirements.

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further?

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

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further?

 take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum, with particular regard to the kitchen door. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment, also applies to the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register) 10/07/2009

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provision

Children are extremely confident and self-assured because they feel highly valued as individuals. They make excellent progress because the childminder works hard to make sure all children's welfare, learning and development needs are met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 thoroughly and they are all fully included. They start to appreciate diversity as they observe posters and freely access books and toys that show positive images of people from around the world and some who have differing abilities. Information about children's individual needs, starting points and capabilities is obtained from parents at the start of all childminding arrangements and used effectively by the childminder to provide high quality care and play experiences that meets individual children's needs very well. Effective partnerships with parents and others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to children contributes successfully to an

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provision

integrated approach to their care and learning. Children's records are shared with parents and the EYFS poster display helps parents understand and contribute to their children's learning. Additionally the childminder shares information with children's teachers and continues activities and learning from school during their time with her. Consequently children's learning is reinforced through repetition and the childminder's skill in extending activities further promote children's learning and development.

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provision

Children are very well safeguarded. The childminder has a sound understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and her role in protecting them from harm. Overall the detailed risk assessment identifies most hazards and many effective measures are in place to reduce the risk of accidents in the home, garden and during regular outings. However, the childminder has not included swimming trips in her written risk assessments and there is a potential hazard to young children in their use of the kitchen door.

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provision

The childminder constantly reflects on her practice to improve outcomes for children. She continues to attend training workshops to develop her professional skills and knowledge. For example, since the last inspection, she has attended training in Expert Storytelling, Observation, Assessment and Planning and is working towards the Diploma in home-based Childcare. She also uses feedback from parents and self-evaluation as an ongoing tool to appraise her provision. Comprehensive policies and procedures are implemented consistently by the childminder, shared with parents and inclusive for all children who attend. These include the complaints, equal opportunities and safeguarding children procedures.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children make excellent progress towards the early learning goals and become active, inquisitive learners who think critically. The childminder has a very good understanding of the learning and development requirements and supports children's play and learning exceptionally well. Very well organised records of children's achievements that clearly shows their progress towards the early learning goals support the childminder to provide a stimulating range of activities based on their interests, starting points and capabilities. She extends children's learning through effective questioning and by involving them in all aspects of the childminding day during both child-initiated and adult-led activities. For example, children help to prepare the vegetables for lunch with effective support from the childminder who ensures their safety and the childminder interacts warmly with children as they play outdoors. Children make extremely good progress in

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

personal, social and emotional development. They play harmoniously together and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 behave very well. They feel valued and develop a positive self-image as they respond to the frequent praise and encouragement given. They have many opportunities to make choices such as whether to play indoors or outdoors and what to play with. Children are gaining a very good understanding of the natural world. They learn about the life cycle of frogs as they observe the tadpoles and posters showing how they grow into frogs. They enjoy visits to the local farm and safari park and look for insects in the garden. They grow sunflowers, tomatoes and pumpkins in the garden and make a miniature garden. Children express themselves creatively through the many craft activities where they explore colour and texture as they paint and make collages using various materials. They start to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

understanding mathematical concepts as they sort the pebbles into light or dark colours and big or small. Children have many good opportunities to develop their physical skills. They bounce energetically on the space hopper and carefully roll the ball to knock the skittles down with increasing skill, confidence and co-ordination.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Overall children's good health is promoted well. They are cared for in a clean, tidy home and develop simple good hygiene practises as part of daily routines. One aspect of the childminder's hygiene practice, however, potentially compromises children's good health. All required written consents that support the childminder to maintain children's good health are obtained from parents, such as written consent to seek emergency medical advice or treatment and to administer medicine. The organisation of space, furniture and resources provides an enabling environment which supports children to become independent. They move freely between the kitchen/diner, living room and garden as they choose which activity to join and generally stay safe because effective measures are in place to reduce the risk of accidents. Attractive displays of posters and photographs of children, helps them to feel a strong sense of belonging.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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 provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary 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 in the early years childcare section of the report (Suitable premises, environment & equipment). 10/07/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary 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 in the early years childcare section of the report (Suitable premises, environment & equipment). 10/07/2009

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