Childminder in Bedford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY406530 Inspection date 18/01/2011 Inspector Jane Mount

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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 July 2010. She lives with her husband and one child aged 14 years. The property is situated in Kempston, Bedfordshire and is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. All areas of the premises are included in the registration except for the first and second floors. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The registration is for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time with no more than three children in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for four children, all of whom are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

Overnight care is not included in the registration and the family has a cat. 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

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure children's individual needs are met and an inclusive environment is provided. She is developing systems to ensure she fully promotes children's care and learning by using her increasing knowledge and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She provides a varied selection of play experiences to enable children to make progress in their learning although systems for observing and assessing children are not yet fully effective. Processes for monitoring the setting to ensure continued improvement are in the early stages of development.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further children's observation and assessment records to ensure they link with the Early Years Foundation Stage and use these more effectively to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress  develop further a quality improvement process, such as self-evaluation, to monitor and extend effective practice and to ensure continued improvement.

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the early years provision

The environment in which children are cared for is safe and children's welfare is protected. The childminder has a safeguarding children policy in place which details what she would do if she had a concern. She ensures all household members have background checks undertaken. The childminder is conscious of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safety and ensures children are closely supervised at all times. Positive steps are taken to promote safety and to keep children safe. Safety gates are fitted to prevent children having access to the stairs and suitable measures have been taken to prevent children accessing some of the kitchen cupboards. Written risk assessments show how potential hazards are minimised to keep children safe and ongoing visual assessments ensures the environment remains safe. Children's records and documentation including policies required for the safe and efficient

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the early years provision

management of the setting are in place and overall are informative. The childminder organises her daily routine to ensure children's needs are met and the environment is welcoming with resources accessible and developmentally appropriate.

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the early years provision

This is the childminder's first inspection since registering and she has worked hard to become familiar with the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is generally aware of her key strengths and the areas requiring further development. She has plans to implement monitoring systems, such as, seeking feedback from parents via written questionnaires. She has also begun to implement a system of self-evaluation to review and evaluate her practice to ensure continued improvement but this is still in the very early stages of development. The childminder understands the benefits of professional development and has attended several workshops and early years short courses. She wishes to continue to develop her skills and knowledge and has identified further training to complete in the near future.

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the early years provision

The childminder welcomes the children in her care and their parents into her home and understands the importance of working closely with parents to provide an inclusive environment. She respects cultural and religious backgrounds and promotes the use of children's home languages while ensuring they have opportunities to develop their English. The childminder has a 'welcome folder' which she uses to share information with new and prospective parents. It contains information about the childminder and her setting including a range of policies and procedures. Settling-in procedures which are designed to meet the needs of the individual child ensure children settle well and quickly feel at home in the childminding environment. Parents are kept informed about their children's care and daily achievements as information is verbally exchanged. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude and awareness to liaising with other early years

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the early years provision

settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to promote the integration of care and education.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is beginning to know the children in her care well and she uses this information to support them in their learning. Simple observation and assessment systems are in the early stages of development. However, they are not yet linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage to show how children are progressing and the information is not yet effectively used to plan future activities and play experiences to support children fully in their learning. The childminder is beginning to take regular observations of children's play and is becoming familiar This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with children's abilities. She is beginning to share this information with parents. There is a mixture of adult-led and child-initiated play which overall covers the six areas of learning and is generally led by children's interests. Children's independence is promoted and they are praised by the childminder when they help

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and outcomes for children

to tidy away toys or try to put their shoes on when going out. Children make independent choices in their play with the environment organised so that some resources are child-height and easily accessible. The childminder supports children in their play. She engages them in conversation and asks open-ended questions to extend and develop children's language through their play. Regular story times also supports children's early communication skills and children enjoy listening to stories and looking at books with the childminder. Children have opportunities to learn about shape, colours and numbers. They play sorting and matching games and enjoy counting the plates at mealtimes. Children are developing confidence at expressing themselves creatively and participate in a variety of art and craft activities. They use their imaginations, such as when building with wooden bricks. Children are able to access some multicultural resources which help them to learn

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and outcomes for children

about the wider world and to develop positive attitudes to others. Children learn about the environment and local community through regular outings and walks.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has strategies in place to promote children's health. She has a policy regarding illness and nappy changing routines ensure the risk of cross infection is minimised. Through discussion and support from the childminder, children are beginning to learn simple personal hygiene routines, such as washing hands before eating. Children are provided with a nutritious and balanced diet. The childminder takes full account of children's individual food preferences and dietary requirements as she works closely with parents. Children are developing an understanding of healthy eating. They discuss the benefits of eating a healthy diet and enjoy choosing fruit for snack time when shopping. Children's physical development is promoted as they have regular opportunities to practise and develop their physical skills. Children's safety is protected and they are developing an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. At home, children are learning

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and outcomes for children

how to stay safe through their play and when out walking they learn about road safety and are aware of the need to hold the childminder's hand, or the buggy to stay safe. Behaviour is dealt with in a positive manner with clear boundaries set which are consistent and appropriate to the individual child's level of understanding. Positive relationships between the childminder and children enable children to feel secure and regular praise and encouragement, promote children's sense of achievement. 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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