Childminder in Luton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY264350 Inspection date 01/12/2009 Inspector Melanie Eastwell

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 2003. She lives with her husband and one child aged 15 years in the Round Green area of Luton, Bedfordshire close to schools, parks, shops and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor and one bedroom upstairs is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a dog, a ferret, fish and a rabbit as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also provides care to children aged over five years to 16 years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder works with an assistant who takes and collects children from the local school and goes to a toddler group regularly.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

An exceptionally well developed knowledge of each child's needs makes sure the childminder successfully promotes children's welfare and learning. Children are very safe and secure and enjoy being involved in activities in their local area and learning about the world around them. The partnerships with parents, other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and other agencies are a key strength and are significant in making sure that the needs of all children are very well met, along with any additional support needs. This means that children make rapid progress given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder has effective systems in place for self-evaluation that makes sure priorities for development are identified and acted upon, resulting in outstanding provision that responds to the children's and parents needs.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 developing further the systems for observation and assessment by consistently identifying the areas of learning to which the observations relate to clearly demonstrate children's progression across the areas of learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder gives the highest priority to safeguarding and protecting children's welfare. For example, she has implemented high quality written records and meticulous risk assessments that underpin her daily activity. Children are safeguarded because the childminder fully understands the importance of following the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines and of working in close partnership with other agencies in the event of child protection concerns. The childminder makes effective use of the available space and resources. Children are able to make decisions about their activities and the childminder knows them all as individuals which means she is able to provide them with resources that help them to separate from their parents and that promote progression in their development.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built highly effective partnership working that has a positive impact on children's well-being and progression. She works extremely well with the parents of the minded children offering support such as meal planning and food preparation. The childminder promotes open and honest communication and keeps parents very well informed about all aspects of their child's care and development on a daily basis through written and verbal feedback. She works in close partnership with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and any other agencies involved with the children in her care which supports a consistent approach and a smooth transition for the children which develops their sense of belonging.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developed effective systems for self-reflective practice. For example, she has acted upon the recommendation made during the last inspection, she is very keen to keep her knowledge up to date and has attended a number of training courses. The childminder has an ambitious vision for her setting and has identified long term plans for her childminding as well as identifying current areas of strong practice. She works in a highly efficient way, ensuring that each child's needs are met. For example, she works with an assistant who takes and collects children from school. The parents and children are involved in the childminder's self-evaluation processes. For example, she seeks parents views through questionnaires and the children each have a book in which they can write down or draw their favourite activities. These systems ensure that the childminder is able to respond effectively to the changing needs of the children and their

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and outcomes for children

The childminder skilfully meets the needs of all the children by providing them with an extensive range of play materials and activities that promote their development across the six areas of learning. She ensures that the activities are planned around the children's individual interests. For example, a toddler chooses to play with the pretend kitchen and rummages around in the cupboard before setting up play food for the childminder to 'eat'. Babies are provided with baskets of resources that they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 can explore. They giggle with delight at musical toys and manipulate a variety of different shaped objects. Children are very well supported as individuals. The childminder organises her working commitments to ensure she is able to provide each child and family with sufficient individual attention for their needs. She shows

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and outcomes for children

each child plenty of sensitive care and attention. For example, she gains eye contact and gives lots of praise and encouragement which develops children's self- esteem and confidence.

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and outcomes for children

Children are treated as individuals and with respect. They have access to play materials and books that celebrate diversity and the childminder is confident to talk to them about differences and to answer any questions they may have. Children are confident in the childminder's home. They approach her for cuddles and reassurance and are familiar with the daily routines. For example, young children know to wipe their hands before lunchtime and collect an apron from the basket then collect their shoes and coat from the hallway when it is time to go to nursery. Each child has their own towel and toothbrush in the bathroom. The childminder consistently supports these developing independence skills with all the children in her care. Children get on well together and the childminder encourages them to share and to think of others. Older children show care and concern for the younger children and often involve them in games or art and craft activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children's achievements are recorded in very well organised and attractively presented individual files that contain written observations, samples of their work and photographs. The childminder takes time to observe them when they start attending to find out what they enjoy doing before planning activities for them individually that cover all the areas of learning. Information from the Practice Guidance document is used by the childminder to assist her in identifying individual next steps for learning and the activities she will provide for each child. However, although the childminder links some of the observations to the relevant area of learning it is linked to, this is currently not consistent across all the children's records. The extremely caring and sensitive approach by the childminder has a highly positive impact on children's care, welfare and development. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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Stage

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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