Childminder in Central BedfordshireOfsted inspection, 14 Jan 2010

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY398831 Inspection date 14/01/2010 Inspector Anne Schurek

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and their child aged three years. They live in the town of Sandy in Bedfordshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play, although the grass area of the garden is out of bounds. There are no access difficulties to the premises. The childminder walks/drives to school to take and collect children. There are shops and parks within walking distance.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to provide care each weekday during term time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending both part-time hours of whom are within the early years age range. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder warmly welcomes the children into a friendly, relaxed home where they are valued as individuals. Children are comfortable in the provision where they are making acceptable progress in their learning and development. The childminder shares positive relationships with parents. She works with them in close partnership to meet the children's individual needs. Records to support the safety and welfare of children are adequately maintained overall, with the exception of written permission for emergency medical treatment or advice and parental permission for regular outings. The childminder has some systems in place for self-evaluation and monitoring, as a result, there is a satisfactory capacity to maintain continuous improvement of the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain written permission from parents to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future ( Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 21/01/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain written parental permission for children to take part in outings  develop further the systems for self-evaluation processes such as the Ofsted self-evaluation form to help identify areas for development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are generally safeguarded by the childminder who has a sound understanding of her responsibilities of protecting children. She is aware of the required procedures she must follow if she has concerns about their safety and welfare. The childminder generally minimises risks to children. She completes regular visual and written risk assessments, relating to inside, outside and outings and takes action to reduce risks to children as necessary to help protect their health and safety. However, she does not have written permission forms from parents to take children on regular outings. Most records relating to accidents meet the requirements including a sick child policy which she shares with parents; however she does not have the necessary parental consent for emergency medical treatment or advice. This does not ensure that all children are cared for in an emergency without delay. This is a breach of requirement of the Early Years

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the early years provision

Foundation Stage. Parents are given information about the childminder's practice including their own copies of her policies and procedures which include safeguarding and complaints. Children's welfare is effectively promoted as the childminder and her family have suitable checks completed.

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the early years provision

The childminder welcomes parents into her home and the well-organised play areas, resources, toys shows the extent of learning through play which is available. The childminder promotes children's inclusion into all activities and life of her setting. Children are able to self-select toys independently, helping to build their confidence and self-esteem. The childminder has some resources to promote children's awareness of diversity and through discussion helps children to understand more about the needs of others and respect people that are different from themselves. They are gaining a good understanding of their community through the use of local amenities such as park, shops and parent and toddler sessions. Partnerships with parents are good overall. When children first attend the childminder obtains information about routines, preferences and some aspects of development. Although plans for children's next steps are not recorded, the

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the early years provision

childminder is able to clearly explain how she plans for children's future learning based on their interests and emerging skills. Parents receive regular verbal and written information about their child's progress and the childminder invites them to work with her in order to promote children's development. The childminder is aware of the importance of sharing information with other early years providers in order to maintain continuity in children's care and learning, currently children do not attend other providers.

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the early years provision

The childminder's self-evaluation is in its infancy, but she is committed to identifying her areas of strengths and those areas which need further development. The childminder seeks parents' views through discussion and has developed parent questionnaires that she hopes will provide feedback from parents on areas that can be developed to support their children's care and learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are secure and settled in their environment and make themselves at home. The childminder's sound understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and her knowledge of each child mean that she is aware of their individual interests. She plans activities for all children based on her observations and uses these to plan what they need to do next.

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and outcomes for children

Children have a good relationship with the childminder who shows them that she enjoys their company, she spends time playing with and talking to the children. She sits at the same level as the children as they play and there is a lot of interaction, forming simple conversations with them, this helps to develop their communication skills. They have a good balance of adult-led and child-led activities. Children use their imagination well as they engage in role play activities, making cakes and being a shop keeper. They have fun making animals from play dough. The childminder skilfully promotes their learning during activities, through her use of questioning. For example, when making the cakes, the childminder asks the children 'what colour would you like and what colour is this'.

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and outcomes for children

Children play an active part in their own learning as they make independent choices in their play and access a wide range of toys, furniture and equipment to effectively meet their needs. For example, children have fun playing at being the shop keeper and the shopper buying different items and paying for them practising their number skills. Children enjoy a balanced range of well planned physical activities that contribute to a healthy lifestyle. For example, they enjoy walking in the local area to see the horses, goats and cows and visiting the park where they have access to slide and swings to promote their physical skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to understand responsible behaviour and recognise the needs of others due to consistent boundaries being maintained by the childminder. They discuss appropriate strategies with the childminder and recognise their behaviour or actions have an effect on others around them. Children show and use basic manners, and understand the concept of taking turns through play with each other and discussion with the childminder. Children's confidence and self-esteem are enhanced by the childminder through lots of praise and encouragement.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop problem solving, numeracy and reasoning skills well by taking part in role play activities, sorting and completing puzzles, beginning to count in sequence. For example, child finished a puzzle and then counted the numbers, 1,2,3,4 and 5 pointing to each number as he did it. During play activities the childminder asks questions, such as, 'what number is it, how many pieces have you got left'. Children use an extensive range of materials and media extending their creative development. They enjoy feeling play dough through their fingers. The childminder encourages children to be aware of what is in the local area, for example, visiting the shops and parks. Children have access to resources and activities that promote anti-discriminatory practice; they have celebrated Christmas and Hanukah the festival of lights. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children gain an appreciation of books as these are easily accessible and have many opportunities to extend their language. For example, whilst completing a puzzle the picture of the snake reminded the child of the Gruffalo story, they reminded the childminder there was a snake in the story. The childminder is aware younger children's attention spans are limited, so to ensure that they remain stimulated and occupied, she allows them to move freely from one play resource to another. They benefit from the time the childminder spends with them. She joins in their games and supports their learning. For example, she sits at their level and plays shops where she takes turns to be the shop keeper and the shopper. Children learn to use the electronic till, count money and recognise different foods, shapes and colours helping them to develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn how to manage their own safety, for example, they gain a secure understanding about being safe inside and outside of the home. For example, when they go out within the community, they talk about road safety and in the home they learn to negotiate the stairs. Children learn about healthy and nutritious foods as the childminder promotes healthy eating, for example, children enjoy fruit, bread sticks and toast for snack. The children help prepare some of their own snacks, such as sandwiches and fruit; this helps develop their awareness of healthy eating and encourages them to try new things. Children can access drinks at all times as they have an allocated cup which is regularly filled throughout the day. Children are learning about the importance of good personal hygiene from an early age, through well-organised routines and practice. They know to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating meals or snacks.

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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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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