Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY387821 Inspection date 30/04/2010 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 registered in 2009 and holds a relevant childcare qualification. She lives with her partner and her two children aged six and four years in a bungalow in a village to the north of Newport Pagnell. Children have access to the lounge and kitchen with the main bedroom for sleep purposes only. There is a fully enclosed garden available for the children's outside play. The childminder's home is within walking distance of local parks, pre-school and schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for four children under the age of eight years, of whom three may be in the early years age group. She currently has 11 children on roll, and of these, seven are in the early years age range. Children attend on a part-time basis for various days and sessions. The family has one dog, one tortoise, a pigeon, some fish and four chickens as pets. 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

Children are offered suitable play opportunities in this welcoming family home environment where the childminder promotes many aspects of children's care and education in an appropriately inclusive manner. Each child is valued as a unique individual and children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Emergent observation and assessment systems are in place but these are not yet sufficiently linked to the learning and development requirements. The childminder builds good relationships with parents to underpin children's welfare. She has an increasingly realistic picture of her strengths and weaknesses and demonstrates a willingness to understand the requirements and to continuously improve.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements within the Early Years Foundation Stage to support the development of the educational programme in all areas of learning  link planning and assessment and learning priorities to secure children's good progress towards the early learning goals, for example, through the use of the criteria in the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to attending training to develop her skills and knowledge and holds a relevant childcare qualification which enables her to support children's care. Children's welfare is suitably promoted because the childminder has a suitable understanding of her responsibilities relating to safeguarding children. This is supported by a practical written procedure which enables her to identify any child at risk of harm and take appropriate action. She ensures that all household members are appropriately checked. The improved maintenance of policies, records and procedures supports the safe and efficient management of the setting and ensures that the needs of all children are met. All required permissions are in place.

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the early years provision

Detailed risk assessments for all areas of the house and garden used by children are in place helping to reduce hazards and potential accidents. This enables the childminder to provide an environment in which children relax and appear to feel safe and secure during their play. Children make appropriate sound progress and enjoy their learning because the childminder makes sensible use of resources. Her home is welcoming and resources are generally accessible, enabling children to make independent choices about their play. The childminder's sound understanding of anti-discrimination means that she provides a service which is inclusive for all children and their families. She ensures that she understands each child's background, cultures and beliefs. She uses this knowledge when she encourages children to recognise differences, offering them information about other ways of life and encouraging them to respect diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of the importance of developing and utilising links with other professionals involved with the children to promote consistent care. Parents confirm that they are offered good information about the setting, including information about how to make a complaint. They receive copies of policies, are aware of their child's activities and receive daily updates on activities and progress. The childminder's good relationships with parents and carers enables them to exchange information about the children and this ensures that the childminder can offer children appropriate support. The childminder demonstrates enthusiasm for her daily work in caring for the children and is sufficiently motivated to continue to make changes that improve the outcomes for them. She has begun to use self-evaluation to support this process.

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and outcomes for children

This warm and welcoming childminder is confident in her daily practice with the children and continues to extend her knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements. Planning of daily routines is appropriately flexible and responsive to the needs of children with the childminder ensuring that she provides an adequate balance of activities throughout the time that the children are with her. The childminder provides daily verbal feedback to parents and carers This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about their child's activities and achievements. The childminder is beginning to be able to link her observations of children's learning to the six areas, but current observational records are not easily manageable and do not provide useful information to guide the childminder in planning the next steps in children's learning. The childminder is verbally able to demonstrate the sound progress which

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and outcomes for children

children make, supported with annotated photographic evidence. However, planning, observation and next steps are not yet sufficiently matched to the Practice Guidance for the Early Years Foundation Stage to fully secure and demonstrate children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder capably draws the learning from child-led interests and play, sustaining appropriate levels of interaction with the children which develops positive attitudes to learning. For example, children spot a bird in the garden and she lifts them up to the window for a better view, whilst introducing new words such as 'magpie' and 'blackbird'. Children laugh and giggle whilst watching a popcorn-making machine in action and gaze in awe and wonder as the corn shoots out into the dish. The childminder offers a continuous commentary in the daily routine, including teaching about colours, numbers and shapes as the children play with toys of their choosing. The childminder devotes her time and attention to each child, ensuring that they are happy and suitably occupied. She is aware of children's individual interests and incorporates these within art and craft activities. For example, photographs show children proudly making superhero characters

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming aware of healthy lifestyles and the relevance of hygiene practices. Ongoing discussions mean that young children understand the importance of daily practices such as washing their hands before snacks and meals. Children's social skills develop as they mix with other children at toddler groups and learn to play together harmoniously. Balanced use of indoor and outdoor space means that children are offered daily opportunities to practise physical skills. For example, they play in the garden and enjoy trips to local parks, learning the importance of being out in the fresh air. Children enjoy visits further away to places such as Salcey Forest and meet with childminding friends for picnics at Emberton Country Park, thus learning about the local environment and developing their social skills. Suitable documentation is maintained relating to accidents, medication and incidents and clear procedures are in place, protecting

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and outcomes for children

the children's health and well-being. The children learn about keeping safe inside and outside of the home because the childminder provides age-appropriate explanations as to why they must hold her hand and take extra care at the road side. Children's behaviour is managed appropriately and effective strategies ensure their social, physical and economic well-being are generally met. 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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