Childminder in Bedford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 505262 Inspection date 21/01/2010 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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 16 and 11 years, in Kempston, Bedfordshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding together with a bedroom upstairs used for young sleeping children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 for children aged over five years to 10 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 takes children to, and collects from, the local school and goes to several toddler groups on a regular basis.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

A well-developed knowledge of each child's needs makes sure that children's welfare and learning is successfully promoted. Children are safe and secure and enjoy the sensitive interaction from the childminder. The partnership with parents is effective and makes sure that the needs of all children are well-met. This means that children progress well, given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder continues to develop the processes for self-evaluation, which ensure that her priorities for future improvement are identified and her provision responds to the children's individual needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the system for observing the children to clearly demonstrate what they are doing during activities and how this is used to inform the future planning  ensure that sufficient detail relating to the site of any injury is recorded in the accident book  develop further the partnership working to ensure a consistent approach and a smooth transistion for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a well-organised approach to her childminding and this contributes to children's safety and well-being. For example, she has devised This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 written policies and procedures that are clearly reflected in her daily activity with the children, and effective risk assessment underpins a good awareness of health and safety issues. All of the required documentation is in place. However, insufficient detail is recorded in the accident book relating to the site of any injury. Safeguarding is given high priority. The childminder understands the importance of following the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines in the event of any child protection concerns. Children begin to learn about how to keep themselves safe, for example, through discussion with the childminder when out walking about road safety and holding hands. Children are able to make choices about their

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the early years provision

activities. The childminder makes effective use of the available space and children demonstrate that they are confident to select their own activities and to move around the childminder's home.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the effective working relationships the childminder has built with their parents. She keeps them well-informed about their daily routines and progress through daily verbal feedback, and regularly shares their child's achievement folder with them. Information is gathered from parents relating to children's progress at home which assists with their individualised planning. The childminder has a generally good awareness of the importance of working in partnership. However, she has yet to fully develop links with other agencies involved with the minded children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has implemented systems to evaluate her practice, and this ensures that she is able to respond to the needs of the children and families. For example, she has acted upon the recommendations made during the last inspection. She is able to identify areas of strong practice, and is keen to continue to develop her knowledge and understanding by identifying her priorities for the future. The childminder reports that the process of reflecting on her daily activity with the children has a positive impact on the outcomes for the children in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the childminder's gentle and effective interaction in their play. For example, she responds immediately to their requests for assistance to rebuild the ramp on the toy garage when it falls down, and she continually checks that children are happy with their chosen activity. Each child is considered individually when the childminder plans activities. She knows them well, and ensures they are provided with opportunities that are linked to their current interests and are appropriately challenging. Children are able to choose freely from a wide range of resources and play materials and are generally willing to help tidy away when they have finished playing. Children demonstrate that they feel safe in the childminder's home, for example, they move freely between the activities, exploring and trying out different toys. They seek comfort and reassurance from the childminder as needed, and they follow her to the kitchen when it is time for a

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and outcomes for children

Children's progress in their learning and development is recorded in individual files. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 She watches them and talks to their parents about their achievements at home to find out their starting points and uses the Practice Guidance document to evaluate and plan for their next steps. However, in the process of evaluating the activity, the childminder does not record the actual observation of what the child is doing in their play. Therefore, it is difficult for her to demonstrate what prompted and informed the planning for individual children. The children enjoy looking at their files and point out themselves and their friends in the photographs.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well-supported in developing skills for the future such as making choices and decisions about their play, and their independence is promoted through discussion and reassurance from the childminder. She enables them to begin to think of others, to work together and to take turns, through discussion and positive role modelling. This entirely appropriate support and involvement from the childminder develops children's sense of belonging in her home and their growing self-esteem and confidence. 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 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 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 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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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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