Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY407275 Inspection date 25/11/2010 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 partner and child aged two years in Furzton, near Milton Keynes, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The downstairs of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with rest and bathroom facilities on the first floor. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden and the family have pet bird.

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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, 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 compulsory part 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 beginning to develop secure relationships with the childminder and each other as they settle into the warm and welcoming family environment. A range of age appropriate toys and resources, and some flexible activities help children learn and develop at their own pace. The childminder understands the importance of getting to get to know each child in her care, helping her recognise that they are unique, regardless of their background or ability. She mostly meets children's needs routinely, although there are some weaknesses in essential documentation. The childminder has a basic understanding of implementing the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and a limited knowledge in some areas of equality and diversity. She is beginning to develop a system of self-evaluation to improve her practice and enable her to promote outcomes for children more effectively.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain parental permissions to safeguard and promote children's welfare effectively at all times, including written permission for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding) 03/12/2010

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further?

 devise and implement a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or 23/12/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 incident (Documentation)

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further?

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

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further?

 develop systems of observation and assessment to aid identification of each child's next steps of learning and development towards the early learning goals  improve the range of resources and activities to help children learn about people from other cultures and those with differing abilities  develop an appropriate system of self-evaluation to show steps taken towards improvement

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the early years provision

The childminder ensures she safeguards children by keeping them under appropriate levels of supervision for their age group and protecting them from unvetted adults to enable their feelings of security. The childminder helps children to learn about their own safety through activities such as road safety week and by practising the fire evacuation procedure regularly. She keeps her home child friendly and well maintained, using a range of appropriate documentation. However, she has yet to obtain parental permissions to safeguard and promote children's welfare effectively at all times, including written permission for the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future. The childminder uses daily visual checks for assessing and reducing hazards to children, indoors and outside. However, she has yet to devise and implement a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, the

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the early years provision

date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. The childminder has a sound understanding of protecting children from harm and is able to demonstrate this by describing possible signs of abuse or neglect. She knows the importance of keeping records of any concerns to promote children's safety and has a written safeguarding policy in place to protect children, which is shared with parents.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's developing two-way communication system and flexible service to meet parent's working patterns. The childminder is open and approachable, with confidence to discuss any concerns with parents directly. She is starting to work closely with parents to support individual children's needs and is aware of the importance of working collaboratively with other settings children may attend in order to fully support their learning and developmental needs. The childminder is beginning to assess her practice through a developing system of self-evaluation, identifying some areas for development towards improvement. Policies and procedures are shared with parents at registration to sustain minding practice appropriately, and the childminder keeps children's individual records confidential and stored securely.

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the early years provision

Young children have access to a range of toys and resources which are freely available, offering interest and challenge for their age group to aid individual This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning. They are beginning to make natural progress towards the early learning goals in relation to their starting points, with support from the childminder as they play. She is starting to implement the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and make simple observations, relating her initial findings to the practice guidance documentation. However, she has yet to develop her systems of observation and assessment to aid identification of each child's next steps of learning and development towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children receive appropriate support for their language and physical development and to encourage their developing self-confidence. They move around the childminder's home freely and safely in a child friendly environment, with sufficient space for babies to develop their walking skills. Children are learning 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 behaviour management strategies, reminding children gently of the house rules, using explanations and distraction age appropriately. She explains to children that no-one should put their fingers into the bird cage or throw toys at each other in case they may be hurt.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to develop their understanding of healthy eating through a variety of healthy meals and snacks. The childminder works with parents to meet children's individual dietary requirements and provides parents with an option to supply their own food, which some families choose to use. Children have access to fresh water, which is replenished throughout the day and supplied in individual lidded cups or bottles within easy reach. The childminder takes positive steps to reduce the spread of infection, maintaining a clean and hygienic environment and encouraging children to learn simple hygiene procedures, such as hand washing and using tissues or wet wipes. Children have opportunities for fresh air on a daily basis under the childminder's close supervision. She ensures young children are safely secured in buggies or the car during transportation, taking them for walks around the lake, visiting local parks and attending children's gym sessions, which

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and outcomes for children

provides opportunities for physical development and exercise. They make regular visits to stay and play sessions at local Sure Start centres, where children safely access a range of suitable play equipment and develop their social skills through interaction.

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and outcomes for children

Children are starting to develop their understanding that each of them is equal and has valuable differences through discussions with the childminder as they play together. She is beginning to meet their needs routinely and recognises the uniqueness of each child, regardless of their background or ability. Children are starting to develop their knowledge and understanding of the wider world through a small selection of library books, but the childminder has yet to provide a range of resources and activities to help children learn about people from other cultures and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 those with differing abilities. 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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