Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 219833 Inspection date 21/12/2010 Inspector Susan Marriott

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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 1999. She lives with her mother and brother in a house in the village of Henlow. The childminder's mother works as her assistant. The childminder mainly uses the ground floor of the property for childminding activities and toilet and sleeping facilities are available on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in the early years age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and 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

Children are warmly welcomed into this comfortable, family environment where the childminder promotes most aspects of children's care and education in a suitably inclusive manner. Each child is valued as a unique individual and children make good progress in their learning and development, receiving a lot of individual attention. Observation and assessment systems are in place and these are linked to the criteria in the Early Years Foundation Stage to secure children's progress. The childminder builds strong relationships with parents to underpin children's welfare. She has begun to use effective self-evaluation as a process for identifying strengths and priorities for development in her provision to support continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 update understanding of safeguarding children issues to ensure the continued appropriate implementation of the safeguarding children policy and procedure.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses her extensive experience gained from many years of working with children to promote good quality provision where children are happy and purposefully occupied. Children's welfare is properly safeguarded by the childminder who has a good knowledge of local safeguarding procedures and related issues, However, she acknowledges that attending an update course on safeguarding will enable her to ensure the continued appropriate implementation of the safeguarding children policy and procedure. All adults living in the household have been appropriately vetted. Comprehensive risk assessment is in place and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 effective action is taken to manage or eliminate risks for children. The childminder has a clear procedure for evacuating her home. Regular practise of the drill and robust smoke alarm checks secure children's safety in an emergency situation. The

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the early years provision

childminding service is supported well by comprehensively written policies and procedures and all required written records.

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the early years provision

The learning environment promotes children's progression towards the early learning goals. Children benefit from well-organised resources and space within the home. The living room is set out for children and a small storage unit enables children to have independent access to toys and resources. Laminated song books hang from hooks on the radiator cabinet. The kitchen is used for messy play and enables the children to have direct access to a specially constructed covered area for outside play in all weathers. The childminder's good understanding of anti- discrimination means that she provides a service which is inclusive for all children and their families. She ensures that she understands each child's background and includes festivals and celebrations from a wide range of cultures and beliefs within her programme of seasonal activities. The childminder has established effective self-assessment procedures to support the continuous evaluation and development

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the early years provision

of her practice in order to drive and sustain continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of maintaining close links with other professionals involved with the children to promote consistent care. She ensures that she provides complementary activities for the children attending nursery and offers support in developing essential pre-school skills. The childminder maintains ongoing close contact with the parents of children she cares for. Parents complete feedback forms regularly and everyone is more than happy with the care she provides. The childminder has had a constant flow of work since she started minding and most of it has come from recommendations. The childminder is justly proud of the huge array of references, cards and pictures thanking her for the work she has done with children.

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and outcomes for children

This experienced and qualified childminder treats children with warmth and kindness, nurturing their development through play. Planning is flexible and individualised to suit the ages and stages of development of the children attending and the homely setting offers a good range of toys, games and equipment. Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they readily accept the visiting inspector and involve her in their play. Children are entertained with songs whilst they have their nappies changed and the childminder effectively distracts them from crying by capturing their interest with a multi-coloured spinning lamp and then with looking out of the window at the snow. She explains that the muddy snow is where the cars have been moving on the road, mixing the grit into the snow with their wheels. Whilst looking out of the window, older children become very excited as they spot the ducks coming down the road. They rush off to find

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and outcomes for children

cornflakes as they know that the ducks will tap their beaks on the front door to be fed. The childminder makes the most of the spontaneous opportunity and encourages the children to count how many ducks have come today. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 inform the inspector that these are not any old ducks, they are mallards, and proceed to explain the differences between the male and females.

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and outcomes for children

A very wide range of activities is provided and all six areas of learning are covered. The childminder capably draws the learning from child-led interests and play, sustaining competent levels of interaction with the children which develops positive attitudes to learning. She offers a continuous commentary including teaching about colours, numbers and shapes as she involves the children in play with toys of their choosing. The childminder does not like to have the television on all day, but encourages children to become familiar with information technology through using a games console and a learning pad. Children benefit from limited time on the internet, under close supervision with appropriate restrictions set. Children enjoy cookery activities and make cakes, cookies, pizza and jellies.

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and outcomes for children

Planning of daily routines is appropriately flexible and responsive to the needs of children and the childminder ensures that she provides a balance of activities across the differing days of minding activity. The childminder takes the children out daily to take full advantage of the local facilities enabling the children to have plenty of fresh air. Children have plentiful opportunities to develop their physical skills because the weekly routine includes daily opportunities to play in the garden. Recognising that it is too cold for young children to be outdoors for too long, the childminder brings snow inside in a tray to enable young children to play and explore at their leisure. Children enjoy trips to the park, feed the ducks, enjoy picnics and nature hunts. They attend local mums and tots groups when appropriate. Children are free to look at the wide selection of books and the childminder reads on request and makes regular trips to the mobile van library.

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and outcomes for children

Outings further afield include trips to a wildlife park, farm and a soft play centre.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder assembles assessment information in line with the requirements and links this to the 'Development matters' criteria to secure children's progress. She compiles folders and observes the children by making notes, taking photographs and speaking to the children's parents to get a picture of their stage of development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming aware of healthy lifestyles and the relevance of hygiene practices. Ongoing discussions mean that young children understand the importance of daily practices, such as, washing their hands before snacks and meals. Suitable documentation is maintained relating to accidents, medication and incidents and clear procedures are in place, protecting the children's health and well-being. The children learn about keeping safe inside and outside of the home. Children's behaviour is managed very well and effective strategies ensure their social, physical and economic well-being are met. 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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