Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY412050 Inspection date 25/01/2011 Inspector Maxine Coulson

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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 is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their three children who are aged three and six-years-old. They live in the village of Olney on the outskirts of Milton Keynes. Childminding is mainly contained to the ground floor of the home, where children have access to the living room and dining area. Washing and toilet facilities are located on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for the children's outside play. The childminder's home is within walking distance of local shops, parks, pre- schools and schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under the age eight at any one time, of these one may be in the early years age group. She currently cares for five children, of these one is over the age of eight years and three are in the early years age range. Children attend for various days and sessions.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a Diploma BTEC in childcare.

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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 very happy and settled in the childminder's care. They engage in a wonderful range of activities and share warm, friendly relationships with the childminder and her family. Overall, the childminder has a secure awareness and understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage; consequently children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder is highly competent in working towards meeting children's individual needs and her policies and procedures effectively underpin her practices. She has a clear awareness of the value of reflecting on her practice, is highly motivated and understands very well how her own development can improve outcomes for children and ensure all children can flourish and thrive in an all inclusive environment.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide more choices during planned and focused activities that allows children to make their own individual choices and allows them to extend and develop their own creativity. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  continue to develop observations by evaluating focused activities to identify specific areas of learning to allow more in-depth planning of the children's next steps.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well as the childminder has a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities whilst protecting children in her care. This includes her duty to record and report any concerns and to share her child protection policy with parents at the onset of care. Effective vetting procedures are in place to ensure that adults in the household are suitable to be in contact with the children and visitors are requested to sign on and off the premises. The childminder holds a relevant first aid qualification and demonstrates a good understanding of safety issues. For example, she has conducted a thorough risk assessment on her home, the garden and for outings. The childminder has appropriate fire safety equipment throughout the house and has evacuation procedures in place. Children benefit from established daily routines and from the good levels of supervision and individual attention.

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the early years provision

The childminder develops secure and trusting partnerships with the children's parents and works well with other carers to ensure the care children receive is appropriate and consistent to their needs. A wealth of photographs, some of which are taken in sequence, clearly show the children's development helping to build a clear picture of their achievements and capabilities. These photographs, along with developmental profiles, enable parents to be fully informed about the children's daily care and activities. The daily exchange of information with parents makes sure that children's care and well-being are fully supported. She consults with parents as to their satisfaction with the service, and their feedback to the childminder are testimony to the good service offered as they are highly complimentary of the childminder and the care she provides. The childminder is caring and committed to providing a good quality service to children and their

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the early years provision

families. She has attended appropriate training which supports her childminding practices and she is proactive in seeking ways to develop her knowledge and skills in order to improve her service as she uses self-evaluation extremely well to monitor and evaluate the quality of her setting.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy, relaxed and very much 'at home' in the childminder's company. They form strong and trusting relationships and it is evident from the interactions that they are very fond of each other. Children's language skills are developing well as the childminder skilfully asks open ended questions, such as, what, why and how; this extends the children's thinking and introduces new words into their vocabulary. They count as they play or sing songs with numbers, use age appropriate computers as they listen and respond to instructions given and are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encouraged to develop their own independence as they attempt to put on wellies and hats to play in the garden, even if a little help is required sometimes. The childminder observes children's play and uses these observations to plan future activities for the children building on their interests, although, evaluation of the

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and outcomes for children

activities will allow the childminder to focus on more specific areas of each child's learning. Children are stimulated and enjoy the activities provided, they are interested in their chosen play showing high levels of involvement. Although extra resources during set activities, for example, more than one shape and colour during a painting activity, would allow children to make choices that extend their own creativity.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is well promoted. They are encouraged to learn personal hygiene routines from an early age, as they wash their hands after playing in the garden or sitting down to a snack and a sickness policy is in place to ensure appropriate measures are taken when they are ill. Children learn about healthy eating though cooking activities and the provision of healthy snacks and freshly prepared meals, which take full account of any dietary needs. Drinks are readily available at all times. Regular and everyday walks to and from local parks and other community groups give children plenty of fresh air and exercise. Children are beginning to understand how to keep themselves safe as the childminder gives gentle reminders to watch for toys on the floor or not to stand on furniture where they might slip or fall.

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and outcomes for children

They are treated with kindness and respect and the childminder has a calm and understanding manner providing a good role-model for behaviour. Children behave in a manner that is supportive of their learning; they develop confidence and self- esteem, because the childminder gives regular praise, encouragement and support. As a result, children learn to share, take turns and show consideration for each other. Children appear to feel safe and secure because the childminder uses appropriate practices, such as, using a signing in book for all visitors to the premises. Children are developing an understanding of the wider world through planned activities, discussions with the childminder and through access to resources that are representative of diversity. All children are valued and treated with equal concern and the childminder ensures all children feel welcome and fully included in her setting. 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 1 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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