Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY218901 Inspection date 24/02/2010 Inspector Kelly Eyre

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and one child aged 11 in Dunstable, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a first floor bedroom available for children to have undisturbed rest. Children have access to the fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age range. She works with an assistant and when the assistant is present, this number increases to four children. There are currently six children on roll in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years and this provision is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently no children on roll in this age group. Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register.

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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 is able to gain a thorough understanding of children's needs and interests as she maintains good partnerships with parents and utilises practical procedures to assess children's progress. She uses this information to ensure that children's needs are met and they are offered appropriate support and activities that promote their development. Her comprehensive self-evaluation procedures enable her to build a clear picture of her practice and implement improvements, thereby providing a service which is responsive to children's needs. The childminder has an excellent understanding of all issues relating to safety and children's welfare. This enables children to feel secure and ensures that they are cared for in an environment which fully promotes their welfare and wellbeing.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the assessment and planning procedures to show how children's next steps are consistently fed into the overall planning in order to provide further experiences which are appropriate to each child's stage of development.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is prioritised and is very well promoted because the childminder has a comprehensive understanding of her responsibilities relating to safeguarding This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children, attending additional training to ensure she keeps upt-to-date with legislation and practice. This is supported by a clear written procedure, enabling the childminder to identify any child at risk and take appropriate action. The childminder's excellent organisation of all records and her comprehensive risk assessments further ensure that children's safety and well-being are consistently promoted. Thoughtful daily practice, ongoing discussions and relevant activities mean that children gain a thorough knowledge of how to keep themselves and others safe. They discuss safety issues and are encouraged to participate in assessing daily risks, for example, when using static play equipment at the park.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of diversity and equality of opportunity and has developed practical procedures to support these areas and ensure that her childminding service is inclusive to all children. She uses thorough procedures to gather information about children and thus help her to understand their background and needs. Children are gently encouraged to understand and respect each other's viewpoints. The childminder's good procedures for working with parents mean that they are offered thorough information about her policies, procedures and daily practice. Parents are well informed of their child's activities and progress, for example, through daily discussions and the use of detailed communication books. Consistency of care is promoted as the childminder has a good understanding of the importance of maintaining close links with other professionals. For example, when children attend pre-school, she ensures that she

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the early years provision

is aware of their activity planning so that she can offer complementary activities to further promote children's development.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a great enjoyment of her work and is committed to continuously reviewing this. She uses practical self-evaluation procedures to develop plans for the future and implement changes that improve the outcomes for children. For example, recent improvements include the purchase of a wide variety of musical instruments to help promote children's development in this area. Children are offered a range of opportunities that support their learning and development because the childminder makes good use of resources. For example, she uses community facilities such as the library, museums and a support group for childminders.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder has a thorough understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has developed practical procedures for assessing children, using information gained from observation and assessment to inform activity planning and thereby provide relevant activities to promote children's development. However, this is not fully promoted because the assessment and planning procedures do not clearly show how children's next developmental steps are consistently fed into the overall planning. The childminder's excellent procedures relating to safeguarding children mean that their safety and welfare are consistently promoted to a high standard. Children's behaviours demonstrate that they feel safe and secure. For example, they independently choose resources, express their ideas and readily approach the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's thoughtful attention to detail enables children to develop valuable skills for the future. For example, her comprehensive planning and assessment records for this area ensure that children are well prepared for school as they learn skills such as dressing themselves, using scissors safely and recognising and writing their own names. The childminder's good planning means that children are encouraged to explore, experiment and develop their understanding and respect for the environment. For example, they enjoy playing with cardboard boxes, using them in their role play and to construct models and later sorting them out and learning about recycling. Good use is made of outdoor areas to offer children an extended range of opportunities. They grow strawberries and sunflowers in the garden, carefully tending these, discussing the required growing conditions and comparing the height of the plants as they grow.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's good forward planning means that children are offered additional opportunities. For example, they experiment and learn about the history of their area as they visit the Discovery Centre and a museum. The childminder uses her knowledge of each child to make the best use of their interests to promote their development. For example, children showing an interest in cars are encouraged to count these, name the colours and participate in associated craft activities. Children's knowledge and enjoyment are extended because the childminder provides appropriate resources and offers children support in using these. For example, children learn to recognise written numerals, count and solve problems as they play card games and number dominoes and participate in cooking activities where they count and weigh the ingredients.

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and outcomes for children

Children's emotional development is promoted and they gain further skills for the future as they play happily together and develop secure relationships with the childminder. Their understanding of appropriate behaviour is developed as the childminder offers ongoing explanations and encourages children to work together to organise turn-taking and resolve any disputes. Children's knowledge of diversity is extended as they participate in activities and access relevant resources. For example, their knowledge of other cultures and ways of life is promoted as they work together to make their own book entitled 'All Around the World'. The childminder's good partnerships with parents mean that children who use English as an additional language or have special educational needs and/or disabilities are offered appropriate support and activities the promote their development.

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and outcomes for children

Good daily practice means that children are developing a clear understanding of the relevance of hygiene practices. Young children wash their hands after having their nappies changed, with the childminder discussing the reasons for this with them. Children of all ages have opportunities to explore the uses of information and communication technology. For example, they use cash registers, calculators and telephones as part of their daily play. They develop early reading skills and an appreciation of books through activities such as regular visits to the library and using reference books to research material to use in the production of their own book. 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 1 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 1 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 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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