Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY404234 Inspection date 16/11/2010 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 assesses 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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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 2010. She lives with her partner and children aged 16 months and six years in Loughton, near Milton Keynes, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the downstairs of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with access to upstairs for use of the bathroom and for sleep purposes. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden and the family have a pet cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than two 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 Early Years Register and 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are developing secure relationships and settle into a welcoming family environment where the childminder meets their individual needs routinely. A range of age appropriate toys, resources and flexible activities help children learn and develop at their own pace. The childminder takes time to get to know each child in her care, which helps her to recognise that they are unique, regardless of their background or gender. Children's welfare is suitably promoted and the childminder's basic understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework aids their natural progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder is keen to improve her minding practice through a developing system of self- evaluation to promote outcomes for children more effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 further improve documentation to ensure all parental permissions are obtained for each child, and develop systems of risk assessment further to identify potential hazards to children in areas they regularly access away from the minding premises  further improve observation, evaluation and assessment systems to clearly identify children's progress and achievements towards the early learning goals and identify individual areas for future development  further develop systems of self-assessment to demonstrate steps taken to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 promote continuous improvement  further develop the range of activities and resources that will help children to learn about the wider world

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures she safeguards children, keeping them under appropriate levels of supervision for their age group and protecting them from unvetted adults at all times. She practises the fire evacuation procedure with the children to promote awareness of their own safety and keeps her home child friendly, with most documentation in place, although the childminder has not yet obtained all parental permissions for each child. The childminder has created a detailed record of risk assessments to reduce hazards to children in her home, garden and the local park, and for walking or transporting children in the locality. She makes additional daily checks for many areas children use indoors and outside, but has yet to complete her risk assessments of all the areas they are starting to regularly use outside the minding premises. Children benefit from the childminder's sound understanding of protecting children from harm. She knows the importance of

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the early years provision

keeping records of any concerns to promote children's safety effectively and has a written safeguarding policy in place to protect children which is shared with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder is beginning to assess her practice through a developing system of self-evaluation to demonstrate how she promotes continuous improvement, although she has not yet been able to evidence this effectively. She is able to describe some areas of previous and future development and is proactively seeking advice and support to improve her practice. The childminder also has plans to further enhance her knowledge and understanding to improve her practice by attending a range of appropriate training courses. Children benefit from the childminder's developing two-way communication system, as she is beginning to work closely with parents to enable her to support each child's individual needs. The childminder understands the need to work collaboratively with other settings children are starting to attend in order to support their learning and developmental needs and has regular confidential discussions with a child's keyworker at the local

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the early years provision

pre-school. Policies and procedures sustain minding practice effectively because the childminder ensures she shares these with parents, keeping all children's individual records confidential and stored securely.

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the early years provision

Children have access to a wide range of suitable toys, resources and equipment which are freely available and offer interest and challenge. The childminder is starting to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, helping children to make natural progress in their learning through her involvement. She is beginning to make basic observations of children at play, linking her findings to an appropriate area of learning. The childminder is beginning to observe children's visible progress and identify some of their next steps for learning; however, her current systems of observation, evaluation and assessment do not clearly identify children's progress and achievements towards the early learning goals or identify This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individual areas for future development.

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and outcomes for children

Children receive the childminder's support for their language and physical development through high levels of interaction, which encourages their developing self-confidence and independence. They move around the child friendly home freely and safely, with space to develop their independence in a secure and safe environment. Children are beginning to learn to play both independently and cooperatively with the childminder's encouragement. She ensures children receive individual positive praise as they play and encourages them to learn to behave nicely, respect each other and use good manners. The childminder demonstrates consistent and age appropriate behaviour management strategies, reminding children gently of the house rules, using explanations and distraction as necessary. Children are starting to develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider world through a developing range of resources and activities, although this is

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and outcomes for children

currently somewhat limited. The childminder recognises that each child is unique, regardless of their background or gender and works with parents and children to meet their individual needs and preferences.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of healthy eating is developing as they receive a variety of nutritious snacks and meals from the childminder to meet their individual dietary requirements. For example, children eat fruit pieces at snacktime; ham sandwiches, yogurt and fruit for lunch; with chicken and vegetables for their evening meal. Fresh drinks are available throughout the day in individual cups or water bottles. The childminder helps young children to learn simple hand washing procedures routinely to prevent cross infection, such as washing their hands or using hand gel under supervision before eating. Children enjoy physical activity on a daily basis as they walk to and from school and visit the local parks, where they access a range of safe play equipment and move around freely under the childminder's supervision. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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