Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY265498 Inspection date 01/02/2010 Inspector Susan Marriott

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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 2003 and holds a relevant childcare qualification. She always works in partnership with another registered childminder and minds from her co-childminder's house in Blue Bridge, in northern Milton Keynes. The co- childminder's partner lives at the property. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The household has two pet cats. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. Both childminders have equal responsibility for the childminding practice. Together they may care for a maximum of six children in the early years age group. Currently they are caring for six children in the early years age group, on a flexible basis between them. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and

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Description of the childminding

voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder drives to local schools to take and collect children.

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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

The professional expertise, commitment and enthusiasm demonstrated by this childminder enables her to offer an excellent standard of care and education to the children. Children clearly thrive and make rapid progress in this exceptionally child- centred setting that truly recognises their uniqueness and individuality. The childminder meets the diverse needs of children and ensures that all children are able to participate in all activities in a fully inclusive way. Through increasingly reflective practice and continuous consultation with parents and children, the childminder identifies and promptly acts upon any areas for improvement thus demonstrating an outstanding capacity to improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 improving further, the use of information gathered about children's learning to enhance their rapid progress towards the Early Learning Goals.

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the early years provision

Children enjoy an exemplary quality of care and education in this homely setting, supported by exceptionally well-organised and individualised policies, procedures and records. The childminder demonstrates an extremely good understanding of the procedures regarding the safeguarding of children and a very high level of commitment to promoting children's safety. She is aware that her co-childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 ensures that all household members undergo appropriate checks. A very clear complaints procedure is in place and both childminders jointly ensure that extensive risk assessment is carefully recorded and consistently monitored. For example, they have identified that when children are walking on dull days in winter as the light is fading, there is danger in not being seen by traffic or other pedestrians or cyclists due to poor visibility. The risk assessment has been

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the early years provision

amended to show the introduction of the use of reflective wristbands, coat tags and bands. As a result, dangers are minimised and children's safety is robustly secured.

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the early years provision

The childminder is acutely aware of the diverse needs of children and extremely effective links with the parents and carers, enables the childminder to tailor activities to the individual children in her care. For example, the childminder ensures continuity of care for babies by consistently attending to their care and feeding routines during the day. Partnership working is well-established as the childminder and her co-childminder are involved with another local provider in preparing information for parents and carers about what children achieve from different types of play and activities. The childminder makes exceptionally good use of the space available in her co-childminder's home to provide a very welcoming environment where resources are well-organised and accessible, enabling children to make independent choices about their play. For example, the conservatory to the rear of the house is the focal point for daily play and gives

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the early years provision

direct access to the garden. Information for parents and carers is displayed on the walls in the front entrance hall.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates an enthusiastic passion for her work and is highly motivated to make changes that drive improvement and improve the outcomes for children. Consequently, the childminder is committed to the further enhancement of her observations and assessments to secure children's rapid progress. The childminder values the benefits of continuing professional development and regularly attends training courses with her co-childminder to extend her skills and support further improvement in her practice. The childminder works in partnership with her co-childminder to use the self-evaluation form as a working document to secure their outstanding capacity to improve.

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and outcomes for children

Children make rapid progress in all areas of learning and are exceptionally well- supported in achieving because the childminder has a highly secure understanding of children's development and the Early Years Foundation Stage. She works in a highly effective partnership with her co-childminder enabling the children to thoroughly enjoy themselves. The childminders deliver extremely stimulating activities at a good pace, keeping the children constantly occupied, supervised and entertained. The childminder gives outstanding support to learning as she skilfully draws the learning from child-led play. As children play with a laminated paper doll dressing set, the childminder skilfully engages the children in conversation. She asks questions to encourage the children to think about what clothes would look nice together and what would be suitable to wear on the beach. She extends This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

children's vocabulary by introducing the word 'bandana' and explains that it is a kind of hat made from a piece of material. She demonstrates this with a piece of material close to hand and places the example of a bandana on a child's head. This consolidates learning in a highly effective manner. Children love to chase the bubbles blowing from a machine into the courtyard area at the front of the house. The childminder takes great care to ensure that young babies are fully included in all the activities, positioning them so that they can see what is going on and join in according to their abilities. For example, she lifts the bubble machine off the ground to ensure that bubbles blow across the front of the buggy. Children come into the warmth of the house and comment upon their breathlessness, resulting from their vigorous exercise and the cold air outside. Babies are once again fully included and positioned in high chairs to watch older children assemble their own

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and outcomes for children

'Gruffalo face' during a paper plate craft activity.

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and outcomes for children

Exceptionally well-presented and documented observations, very closely linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage, are maintained on all children by the co- childminders. From their shared observations of the children in their care, they identify particular interests of the individual children and incorporate these within the planned activities. Plans identify clear aims for learning, although these are not always linked closely to the 'Development Matters' criteria in the Practice Guidance. Children's achievements are illustrated with carefully chosen photographic evidence, observed sensitively and evaluated effectively to identify the next steps in learning. Diary notes and regular discussion with parents keep them very well- informed of their child's development and children progress extremely well with very high levels of achievement in relation to their age and stage of development. The childminder is working jointly with her co-childminder in an effective manner

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and outcomes for children

to narrow the achievement gap, taking account of different learning styles and using these to support individual development.

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and outcomes for children

Children stay safe when using any equipment, from scissors to a slide, because they are shown how to use it correctly and safely. Whilst out walking, they learn to cross roads safely, talking about possible dangers and holding hands. Children have daily access to outside play to ensure they get plenty of fresh air and exercise. They may walk to the park or to another local activity, or play in the garden. Children are actively involved in decision making for healthy eating and are reminded that using tissues and hands over mouths when coughing or sneezing prevents germs spreading. Visual aids enable the children to be aware of the need to wash their hands at relevant times. They enthusiastically clean their teeth after lunch, before lying down for a quiet rest. Children demonstrate good manners, politeness and respect for others. They respond positively to the expectations of adults, and make choices and decisions. Children develop skills for the future as

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and outcomes for children

they explore other cultures, develop an awareness of disabilities, similarities and differences, and their own cultural heritage. Role play and other activities help them develop their number, reading and writing skills through play, with adult support as necessary. 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 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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