Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY230834 Inspection date 11/11/2010 Inspector Gyatri Rupal

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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 was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and three children aged three, eight and 12 years in Linslade, close to Leighton Buzzard. The whole of the ground floor and bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued and they are clearly relaxed in her nurturing care. The quality of learning and development and well-planned daily routine ensure children make good progress towards the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder implements most policies and procedures effectively to promote children's welfare and learning. Good relationships with parents and other professionals are fostered in order to identify and meet children's individual needs and ensure continuity of care. The childminder regularly evaluates are provision well, clearly identifying areas for improvement, ensuring that children receive good quality care and learning experiences.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain information from parents about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental responsibility for the child for all the minded children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 11/11/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the risk assessment to cover anything with which a child may come into contact. 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 values the uniqueness of each child, so that their individual needs are met and are happy in the setting. The environment is welcoming and child friendly with resources which children can easily access, developing their independence and learning. The childminder plans a wide range of activities that build on children's interests, which are appropriate for individual child's understanding level. Written plans are in place to incorporate all areas of learning and evaluate children's learning needs to ensure that children achieve the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

The childminder implements many policies effectively, which promote children's welfare and learning. She is able to protect children from harm or neglect, as she has a clear understanding of the Local safeguarding Children Board procedures and is alert to sign and symptoms of abuse. Safeguarding policy and procedures are shared with the parents to ensure they understand the adult duty to safeguard children. All adults within the provision have undergone appropriate vetting procedures, which further promote children's safety. The childminder supervises children all the time to ensure children are safe in her care. Daily risk assessments are conducted which includes of the premises and all types of outings children take part in. However, risk assessments do not cover everything with which children come into contact. The information from parents about who has legal contact with the child; and who has parental

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the early years provision

responsibility for the child is not obtained for all children, which could potentially impact on their safety. Appropriate hygiene practices are followed to prevent the risk of infection.

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the early years provision

Relationships with parents are mutually respectful, enabling a positive partnerships to meet children's welfare and learning needs. Parents speak highly about the childminder and are informed about the childminder's practice via extensive range of sources. Information folder, parent's board and a written daily record about a child's day ensure communication is maintained to ensure consistency of care for children. The childminder has established good links which promote partnerships with other providers who also care for the children. This ensures that children benefit from continuity of care and education wherever they are.

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the early years provision

The childminder is regularly evaluating and monitoring practice effectively and is confident in identifying areas for improvements. Recommendations raised at the last inspection have been successfully met. For example, a clear system is set up to keep records of children's daily attendance to ensure all arriving and departure times are recorded correctly. The childminder's commitment to improving by attending extensive training and extending knowledge and ideas for activities to do with children are commendable. Courses in first aid, nutrition, oral health and promoting good health training ensure children's well-being is substantially increased. The childminder is setting clear targets for her, including developing systems for observing and recording what children do and the progress they make. View from parents are sought as opportunities for improvement of children's outcome, for example, questionnaires are completed by parents and their views

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the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are also considered and acted upon to improve further improvements for outcome for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children participate in a balance of free choices and adult-led activities. The childminder ensures that children's interests and stage of development are considered when planning activities. She records each child's achievements through a balance of photographs, example of children's work and observations. Observations are brief but explicitly linked to the areas of learning with clear assessments and plans for the next steps of children's learning. Therefore, it is clear to see how children are learning and progressing.

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and outcomes for children

Children have good opportunities to be creative in a variety of art and craft activities such as drawing, cooking and making collages from variety of materials. The childminder gives children her time and attention to supporting children with their activity, extending their learning experiences. For example, children's recognition of colours, numbers and shapes are incorporated into daily routines and play activities. Children count numbers when pouring mixture in the cake cups, they talk about food colours and shapes of different decorations they are using.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their communication skills as they confidently talk with the childminder and with their piers. They enjoy reading stories with the childminder and singing nursery songs. Mark-making opportunities are extensive and are part of their daily play. Children chalk outdoors and draw pictures of their parents with many features detailed. They are beginning to write their name on their drawing work and the childminder encourages children to sound out the letters they are writing. Children develop their understanding and knowledge of the words through planned activities and spontaneous play. They have fun as they bake fairy cakes. They talk about the weather as they look outside; they observed the thick clouds in the sky and started to draw rain drops. Children visit the local places in the community such as the farm, fire station and library. Children have access to appropriate resources which help them learn about diversity.

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and outcomes for children

Children's positive behaviour is consistently prompted and recognised. The childminder constantly praised the children which help them build their confidence. Children are kind and considerate to one and another. Children are encouraged to be healthy and learn to keep themselves safe through practical activities and discussions with the childminder. They have healthy lunch and fresh fruits for snacks at the childminder's home. They enjoy walking to local places, swimming and musical activities. Children play freely in the garden using various toys and equipment. They learn about road safety and use books and chat about stranger danger. The childminder explains to children what to do if they are lost. Children regularly practise fire drills with the childminder and are confident about what to do if there is fire within the setting. Children learn skills for the future which include the use of computer.

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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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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 3 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 2 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 2

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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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