Childminder in Luton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY288577 Inspection date 03/02/2011 Inspector Patricia Webb

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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 2004. She lives with her husband and adult child in Luton, Bedfordshire. She works, at times, with an assistant. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding including toilet facilities. Additional use is occasionally made of a bedroom and the bathroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play laid out to decking. The family has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years of whom not more than three may be in the early years age group. When working together with an assistant, they may care for seven children, six of whom may be in the early years age group. There are currently eight children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds a number of professional qualifications in early years child care and education and is working towards a foundation degree. She is also an accredited childminder and currently receives early education funding for three and four-year-olds.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children thrive and blossom in the care of this exceptionally passionate and committed childminder. Using knowledge she has gained from her training, she plans and delivers a superb range of activities, experiences and opportunities that enable every child to reach their full potential, whatever that may be. Children and their families are held in high regard by the childminder who works with parents in very close partnership to bring about children's development and learning. The implementation of the Early Years Foundation Stage is extremely professional whilst still retaining the home-focused provision that parents seek from a childminder. Self-evaluation is rigorous and constructively self-critical in order to bring about continuous improvement.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 clarifying the links between the observations and assessments of children's learning and development and how this informs future planning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children are extremely safe and secure with the childminder. She takes great care to identify and minimise risks and hazards to children both on and off the premises. Meticulous records are maintained of the risk assessments and these are reviewed as and when an incident may occur. Child protection and promoting children's welfare is at the forefront of everything the childminder does within her practice. She has attended many training courses in various aspects of safeguarding children and shares her duty of care with parents. All of the adults in the household have undergone the relevant checks and detailed records are kept of the attendance of the assistant so that parents are aware of who has been involved in their child's care each day. The childminder also monitors the practice and training of the assistant, having ensured that she holds a current first aid certificate, as well as the childminder and that parents have given written

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the early years provision

permission for her to be left in sole charge at times.

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the early years provision

The childminder has embraced the Early Years Foundation Stage as a framework and has used knowledge gained from her vast training and academic study to understand how what she does impacts very positively on children's achievement. This is reflected in her own highly effective format of self-evaluation as she connects the theory of early years practice to her own innate interaction with the children. One area she is keen to improve on is in clarifying the links between the observations and assessments of children's learning and development and how this informs her future planning. The children access an abundance of resources and activities, developing their independence and making choices about their play. The uniqueness and intrinsic character of each child is recognised by the childminder. She works extremely positively with parents and carers to forge true partnerships so that each child's development and achievement is deemed to be a collaborative

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the early years provision

process between the childminder and their family. Parents contribute to the children's developmental records as they share 'wow moments' on stickers, detailing achievements observed at home. For instance, one parent writes that a child has now independently put on their coat and hat. Parents are encouraged to share their knowledge and skills to extend the activities and experiences children have. For example, children's dental health is promoted actively as a parent working in the field shares new initiatives with the childminder.

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the early years provision

Children learn about the diversity of the world instinctively as the local community resources are used to full effect, such as the children's centre, the library and nearby parks and play areas. The childminder has experience of working with other professionals and agencies involved in children's welfare and early education. She is skilled in the use of non-verbal communication systems such as Makaton sign language and picture symbols. Such strategies have been used successfully with children who require additional support in their on-going development and families where English is an additional language. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children cannot fail to make progress in every aspect of their development and early education. They receive excellent input from the childminder, affording her the greatest accolade as they seek her out and invite her to join in with their play. The education programme is extremely well-organised with planned activities tailored to the interests and abilities of the children. These cover all aspects of the early learning goals, ensuring children enjoy a broad and stimulating variety of activities that are designed to meet each child's developmental needs. Their progress records are an accurate and informative assessment of children's attainment and next steps are planned intuitively for each child.

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and outcomes for children

Children delight in imaginary role play. They learn valuable skills for their personal, social and emotional development through the instinctive response from the childminder. For example, the childminder considers young children's reaction to the arrival of the assistant's baby. In order to address children's possible anxiety at the presence of a new addition, the childminder worked with the young children as they became involved in selecting some clothes and resources prior to the baby's birth and discussed how to care for a baby. The baby is now a most welcomed visitor and young children respond by eagerly helping with fetching wet wipes and clean nappies when required.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a knowledge and understanding of their world through varied activities. They learn about the various seasons and the effect of the weather on their activities. Windy days are utilised to fly kites in the park and take note of the leaves blowing form the trees. Children have assembled their own flower-shaped windmills and older children have added the children's names on the petals. They gain a practical insight into diversity as they celebrate various festivals and cultures. A favourite activity is trying different foods from around the world and the childminder involves some of the parents in this activity. Children have enjoyed jerk chicken, rice and peas and chicken tikka as they extend their tastes. The childminder even uses her family holiday to further this as she searches for genuine artefacts to bring back from her various destinations. For example, children dress up in the genuine Egyptian headdress, play on the animal skin

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and outcomes for children

drums and attempt to get a tune out of the South American pipes. A recent activity was used to explore the different types of homes that people live in. This was followed by an excellent activity where children built the three houses from the 'Three Little Pigs' story and compared the suitability and construction of each one.

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and outcomes for children

The promotion of good health is an integral part of daily routine. The children use individual towels and wipes to reduce the risk of cross infection and brush their teeth daily in accordance with parents' wishes. They enjoy regular daily exercise using both the recently refurbished rear garden and the local parks to extend their confidence and skills on larger play equipment. They are supported in becoming aware of their own safety as they practise road safety, discuss the benefits of crossing with the lollipop person and participate in regular fire drills. Such guidance helps children to develop their own ability to identify dangers and risk-assess situations for themselves. Children are encouraged to respect themselves and each This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 other as the childminder explains the consequences of their actions on others. One older child has written a letter for the inspection, expressing deep satisfaction at

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and outcomes for children

being cared for by this exceptional childminder. The letter details how much the child enjoys all of the activities and how the childminder has helped the child overcome a phobia about cats. Such an honest testimonial only serves to confirm the effort that the childminder puts in to her work, being justifiably proud of the impact she has on the lives of the children in her care. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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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 1

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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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