Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY338473 Inspection date 19/01/2011 Inspector Sharon Greener

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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 2006. She lives in Dunstable, Hertfordshire, with her husband and adult son. The whole house is used for childminding. Children do not generally access upstairs other than to use the family bathroom. The children have access to the secure garden for outside play. The family have a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She may provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time, three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently caring for three children in the early years age group part time through the week. She also cares for children attending full time school. She 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

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care, and good relationships have been established with the families she cares for. Effective planning and observations are in place, but these need to be used more effectively to identify starting points and plan for individual children's learning. The documents for the smooth running of the setting are readily available. An effective evaluation process enables the childminder to review her practice and promote positive outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 establish a more effective system to identify children's starting points and use this to promote the children's individual learning skills.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She has attended recent training and has all the information from the Local Safeguarding Board Children readily available for parents. Suitability checks have been carried out on household members. Children are cared for in a safe and secure environment. Risk assessments are in place for the home, garden and for outings and these are effective in identifying and minimising risk to children of all ages. There are policies and procedures in place to monitor the welfare of the children and for the smooth running of the setting. These include a policy for pets as the family have a dog.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes an inclusive setting. Resources, activities and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 community events are all used well to promote the children's understanding of the wider world. Resources are well organised and readily available around the home. Children are encouraged to share, the childminder is a good role model and talks to the children about taking turns. They are becoming aware of their own and each other's needs as they play along side each other.

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the early years provision

Most children have been in the childminder's care for several years. A good working relationship has been established with parents, and they share information on a daily basis. The childminder regularly asks parents about their views with a questionnaire and these are then used to review her practice and to continually improve her practice. For younger babies she uses a daily diary to ensure parents are fully aware of the activities that are provided and that the children's personal care routines are met. The childminder is aware of the importance of making links with other early years settings that the children may attend. These are being established to ensure a consistent approach to the children's learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the services and training provided by the local authority early years support teams. She has attended a range of training courses since registration that have developed her ability to recognise and meet the needs of the children in her care. The childminder has a wealth of experience in caring for children. She understands that children learn best when they are having fun and interested in what they are doing. An effective self-evaluation process identifies the strengths of the setting and areas to be developed. Recommendations made at a previous inspection have been met in full. The childminder continues to improve the service for parents and outcomes for all children.

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and outcomes for children

The young children are confident and interact well together, with their carer and with visitors. Planning shows there is a good mix of adult-led and child-initiated play throughout the week. Children enjoy building with large blocks. Their counting, colour and problem solving skills are promoted through simple play. They look for specific blocks, different sizes and shapes to build a dinosaur with good support from their carer. Imaginative play is well supported with resources readily available around the home. When children are playing together, additional resources are introduced to extend their play ideas and ensure cooperative play. The childminder supports the young children's language through everyday experiences. She plans monthly topics, which are appropriate for children of all ages, for example, a display of 'winter' shows a range of items and craft ideas made and collected by the children. Older children help the younger ones with the

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and outcomes for children

display by cutting and preparing complex snowflake shapes. Regular outings to playgroups and the childminder's drop-in sessions are a regular part of the weekly routine. Children therefore have many opportunities to develop their social skills and become more aware of their local community.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very aware of the daily routines and eagerly ask for their mid-morning fruit snack. They sit nicely at the child sized tables and chairs. They can name the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fruits and ask for more, and drinks are available at all times. The children are beginning to learn about a healthy lifestyle. The childminder provides parents with a sample menu which shows healthy meals and snacks for children of all ages. The childminder is registered with the local authority and Food Standards Agency. Nappy changes and cloakroom routines are well managed, and the childminder uses changing mats and disposable gloves to maintain a clean environment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's planning and observations are appropriately linked to the early learning goals and show children are making good progress. However, systems are not in place to establish their starting points and identify previous experiences as they come to the setting. This means that some aspects of the children's individual learning plans are not fully effective. Observations are in place to monitor children's progress, which are linked with next steps and take the children's likes and interests into account. The childminder makes good use of planning - long term plans outline themes and topics that are relevant to the ages and stages of development of the children in her care, while the short term plans ensure children have new opportunities and experiences through the week. She repeats favourite activities to support early learning skills. Children are learning skills that will prepare them for new experiences and extend and develop their future learning.

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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 2 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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