Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY255035 Inspection date 05/01/2010 Inspector Sarah Fletcher

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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 registered in 2003. She lives with her partner and children aged 11 and 17 years in Bletchley, near Milton Keynes, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole downstairs of the childminder’s home is used for childminding, with a first floor bedroom used for sleeping purposes. The family have no 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 two children in this age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder takes and collects children from the local school/pre-school and goes to several toddler/activity groups regularly.

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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

The childminder provides a caring and comfortable family environment for the children she minds and acknowledges that each child is unique, with their own needs and interests. She has a sound knowledge and understanding of her role and responsibilities to protect children and safeguards them well. Children are making visible progress in their overall learning and development as they enjoy activities within the home and make visits to local areas. The childminder builds and maintains good relationships with parents and shows commitment to developing and improving her practice to promote outcomes for children effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems of risk assessment further to include all areas children use indoors and outside  develop systems of evaluation and assessment further for all children attending in the early years age range to clarify their individual achievements and plan their next steps towards the early learning goals effectively  develop systems of self evaluation further to enable future improvement

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder understands her role and responsibilities to protect children and ensures they remain sheltered from unvetted persons. She demonstrates a sound understanding of protecting children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 in her care and an awareness of the importance of recording any concerns. The childminder assess risks and hazards to children, making daily checks across her premises and places they regularly visit together. She has started to create formal risk assessments, although these do not yet include all areas children use indoors and outside. The childminder ensures children are familiar with safety procedures to promote their safety effectively, as she discusses the evacuation procedure with them and helps them to practise the fire drill regularly. Children’s road safety is important to the childminder and she reinforces rules and guidelines carefully as

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the early years provision

the children walk around the locality under her close supervision.

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the early years provision

The childminder maintains records appropriately and has written policies and procedures in place to support her practice. She has written parental consents for each minded child and maintains a current first aid certificate. The childminder discusses the individual health and care needs of each child to support her care and promote an inclusive environment. She makes effective use of space and resources, supplementing this with daily walks or outings for the children as part of their overall learning and development. Children are able to make their own decisions about what they do and play with, including playing in the local parks, which contributes to their healthy lifestyle.

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the early years provision

The childminder is starting to take positive steps towards improvement through her developing system of self-evaluation. She is beginning to assess her practice and talks to parents for their valuable feedback, enabling her to start to identify areas to promote outcomes for children more effectively. The childminder has established good relationships with parents and they are happy with her practice. She offers a flexible service and ensures she is open and approachable, encouraging an important two-way flow of information. The childminder offers parents daily feedback about their children's care and learning achievements, and understands the need to work collaboratively with other settings children attend in order to fully support their learning and developmental needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their learning and demonstrate their growing confidence as they interact with the childminder. They are becoming active learners, developing activities into their own ideas, such as young children improving their skills with safety scissors by using them in the playdough to cut up the dough successfully. Children are making visible progress in their overall learning and development towards the early learning goals of the Early Years Foundation Stage, as they enjoy activities within the home and make visits to local areas, guiding their daily play and learning environment with their own choices. The childminder makes some structured observations as children play, linking her findings to the appropriate areas of learning. She is beginning to assess their achievements and notice areas where support is needed for their individual development. However, the childminder’s current systems of evaluation and assessment does not yet cover

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and outcomes for children

all children attending in the early years age range to clarify their individual achievements and plan their next steps towards the early learning goals effectively. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children's communication and language skills benefit from good levels of support from the childminder, which contributes to their developing skills for the future. She helps them to widen their vocabulary as they play, providing positive praise for their achievements, asking them open questions and taking time to listen to their responses. Children are beginning to develop their understanding of the wider world around them, as the childminder provides an expanding range of resources and activities to help them learn about diversity and other cultures through their play and communications. For example, she provides several different cultural dolls, a variety of puzzles and books with disability figures, dressing up clothes,

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and outcomes for children

fiction and non-fiction books with positive images, and musical instruments from around the world. To support children’s growing understanding of equality and diversity, the childminder helps them learn about making a positive contribution and building helpful relationships with each other, which is reflected in how well the children behave and learn important messages about right and wrong.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to feel safe because of the childminder's caring approach, with routines for younger children followed from home for consistency and continuity of care. Children demonstrate their feelings of security as they play confidently, asking the childminder for alternative resources and help whenever they need it. They are able to rest according to their needs in a secure environment and learn about their own safety as they move around the childminder’s home and when outside. The childminder enables children to enjoy a healthy lifestyle while in her care, as she develops their understanding of healthy food choices through provision of a range of nutritious meals and healthy snacks. Children learn simple hygiene routines, such as hand washing before eating and after toileting through gentle reinforcement, together with the importance of fresh air and exercise as they walk around the locality.

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and outcomes for children

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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