Childminder in Luton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY231330 Inspection date 31/01/2011 Inspector Lesley Bott

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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 2002. She lives in Luton with her husband and four children, three of whom are adults and one aged 14 years old. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding, including a downstairs toilet. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

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. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, both of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. 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, settled and content in the setting. They make good progress in their learning and development as the childminder meets the needs of the children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement is met as the childminder is beginning to reflect on her own practice in extending her knowledge and skills. Children benefit from an effective partnership with parents and carers as the individual needs and interests of the children are met.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the arrangements for observations and assessments so they can be used to assist in planning enjoyable and challenging learning and development experiences that are tailored to meet children's individual needs develop further the system for self evaluation  Ensure that the daily record of children's attenadance is completed at time of arrival.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded due to the effective written procedures in place. The childminder understands Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and effective processes are in place for identifying any child at risk of harm and liaising with the appropriate child agencies. Parents are well informed of the childminder's procedures. The recommendation raised at the previous inspection has been tackled to improve outcomes for children, as parents now sign that they have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knowledge of, and read all the childminder's policies. Children are cared for in a secure environment where hazards have been assessed, although the daily record is not always completed at the time when children arrive. Consequently, the record is not consistently accurate. Written risk assessments are in place for hazards children may come into contact with and these are reviewed regularly. The

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the early years provision

childminder has a robust collection procedure with parents and has a visitors book in place to ensure the safety of the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established a positive vision for her service, stating that it is extremely important for each child to feel special and well cared for. She reflects on her practice and has a commitment to continuous professional development, attending training on a regular basis. However, the childminder has not begun to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form to appraise her service and accurately recognise the strengths of the setting. She is developing a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has undertaken a well planned programme of ongoing learning opportunities to ensure that her skills are consistently updated.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a strong and effective relationship with the parents and there is a good two-way flow of information, knowledge and expertise. Annual questionnaires ensure that parent's views are requested and taken on board. She ensures that the needs of all children are met and parents are well-informed with daily diaries. The childminder is beginning to link well with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage for children to ensure progression and continuity of learning and care.

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the early years provision

Children's learning is well supported as the childminder has the time to give the children ample individual attention. The childminder provides a welcoming environment as children's work and photographs of their trips and outings are displayed. The bright and well-maintained accommodation and plentiful play equipment is effectively organised to allow the children a positive choice of resources. The childminder is well aware of children's likes, dislikes and current stage of development through the sensitive settling-in procedure. This information helps the childminder to provide an individualised service and have realistic expectations of the children. The childminder attends a particular Children's centre group for the children to enjoy the lunch club and this has ensured the children are growing in confidence in social situations.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in their learning and development. Assessment is detailed in their learning journeys and this contains examples of their work, photographs and thorough observations. This, however, is not linked to the areas of learning, development matters, and plans for the children's next steps. The arrangements for observations and assessments need to be improved to ensure they can be used to assist in planning enjoyable and challenging learning and development experiences that meet children's individual needs. The childminder's calm approach and warm and playful interactions motivate young children well and help them to make progress. Both the children and childminder excitedly use the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 walking stilts outside, developing their balancing skills. The children's emerging language skills are advanced through their interest in singing and dancing. Their

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and outcomes for children

concentration skills are developed through an interest in books and stories.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing strong and positive relationships with the childminder and each other. They play alongside their peers, understanding the need to cooperate. They know the house rules and are encouraged to put the toys away when they are finished. Children celebrate each other's birthdays and they acknowledge the festivals of others. They take part in the community in which they live by visiting local toddler groups.

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and outcomes for children

All children show they are developing a very good understanding of how to keep themselves safe and healthy. They point out the poster, which shows them washing hands after messy play or before meals, and they help the childminder prepare the table before eating their snack. They enjoy healthy and nutritious meals and snacks each day which offer variety and choice. Children are able to take ownership of their health and wellbeing as they enjoy their fruit tasting, taking on board fruit that has pips in.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from access to the fresh air and exercise as they have excellent opportunities to be physically active and play outdoors to contribute to their good health. They take turns with the childminder to balance on the stilts walking on the patio and develop their skills as they throw the ball to each other. They are learning to keep themselves safe as the childminder reminds them not to run indoors.

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and outcomes for children

Children use the weather chart to talk about the weather with the childminder. They identify today's weather with pictures on the chart and talk about clothes to wear in the cold weather. They respond positively to adults forming relationships and join in with actions when singing songs. For example, 'the wheels on the bus'. Younger children show through their body language that they are happy, safe and secure as they show confidence in exploring their environment. Children are encouraged to share and take turns with the toys, they sit on the floor to play and share the frogs with the childminder feeding the frog with different food. Children are active learners, and have opportunity to be creative and think critically as they look for different shapes while playing with the pretend food, i.e. looking at circle shapes with the tomato and the cake, and triangle shapes with the pizza. 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 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 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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