Childminder in Central BedfordshireOfsted inspection, 2 Feb 2011

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY331011 Inspection date 02/02/2011 Inspector Diane Ashplant

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and ten in Luton, Bedfordshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding as well as the children's bedrooms and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding eight school-aged children of whom two 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. The childminder walks or drives to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder holds an appropriate early years qualification.

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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 content and well cared for in this welcoming family home where they relax after school with a range of activities of their choice. Their overall development is generally well supported as the childminder has a good understanding of meeting children's individual needs and supporting inclusive practice. The childminder shows a good commitment to continuous improvement through training and has systems in place to reflect on her practice. Partnership with parents works well and there are some links with others to promote outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the use of observation and assessment to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating experiences for each child  ensure that for every type of outing a full risk assessment is carried out.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a clear understanding of her role and responsibilities in protecting children from possible harm or neglect. She has attended training in this area to heighten her awareness and has a comprehensive policy which she shares with parents. She provides a safe environment both inside and out and carries out procedures such as safe collection to promote children's welfare. She is alert to potential risks and uses a system of assessing and recording these which includes a very comprehensive one for walking to school. However, it does not cover all the other outings which children go on which means not all hazards may be identified. The childminder has attended some training This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 since the last inspection and, as an early years provider in a local pre-school, she is constantly around young children and is aware of how they learn and develop. She

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the early years provision

reflects on her practice in various ways and involves parents and children in this process. The childminder is fully aware of the need to ensure that all adults around children are either appropriately checked or fully supervised. All the required documentation for the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place, regularly reviewed and appropriately stored.

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the early years provision

The childminder gets to know the children well so she can offer them activities which they enjoy. She is starting to use an 'all about me' form when children start so she is more aware of their own personalities and preferences to plan around. She provides easy access to different space both in and outside and has a range of appropriate resources which are generally accessible to promote independent choices. The childminder is aware that children have individual needs and knows to liaise closely with parents and others to support them. She provides an inclusive service and balances this with a respect for parents' wishes.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents works well and all information is shared to ensure children settle and engage well. The childminder has a wide range of policies which parents read and other information is displayed or exchanged verbally or by telephone or text. There are some links in place with other groups in the community and the childminder is aware of engaging the support of other processionals as needed, for example, working alongside teachers to provide a consistent behaviour management approach.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and content in this setting where they know the routine well and settle down easily on their return from school. They have secure relationships with the childminder and her children who happily share time together. Children have regular home-cooked meals and healthy snacks and the childminder offers a flexible approach to different requests from parents. Children carry out regular routines to promote their health such as hand-washing and have lots of exercise as they walk to and from school and on most days are eager to play football in the garden. They are alert to safety as they are aware of procedures to follow such as safe walking when they are outside and they know what to do in the event of a fire. Children generally play well together and take turns on the computer in a busy household after school and are confident to initiate their own play on their own or with friends. Children discuss different customs and cultures and engage in

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and outcomes for children

activities around various celebrations such as making cards for Chinese New Year or for Valentine's Day.

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and outcomes for children

There is a good balance of free choice and more focused activities as the children arrive home from school and settle to play with resources of their choice. They enjoy playing on a games console, using cars and the garage or engaging in different craft activities such as drawing or creating pinboard pictures. They freely converse with each other and the childminder who talks to them while preparing their meal, encouraging them to share events from home and their school day This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 such as a special Victorian day trip to the museum. Children sometimes require help with their homework which the childminder is happy to do. They have access to a range of books and writing materials to develop their reading skills. They are encouraged to develop independent skills like pouring their own drinks and helping to lay the table.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children well and what they like to do and therefore sets out resources to support their play and encourages them to come up with their own suggestions so they can plan activities together. The childminder is beginning to record some of her observations and collect together items of children's work and use these to monitor their progress. However, these are in the early stages and not yet being used to plan constructively for children's individual needs. 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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