Childminder in Luton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY363020 Inspection date 09/02/2011 Inspector Maura Pigram

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and child aged six years in Luton, Bedfordshire. Children have access to the whole of the property which is a bungalow. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five 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 three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all 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.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. 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

The childminder understands that each child is unique and uses her expertise to ensure children's individual welfare needs and learning are effectively met. Children are fully included and very secure. Documentation to support their safety is mostly in place. A strong partnership with parents and other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage is a key strength of the provision. The childminder is committed to developing practise and has an accurate understanding of areas to develop so that outcomes for children are continually improved.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further planning and assessment systems so that interests, learning styles and the next steps in children's learning are clarified and matched to the expectations of the early learning goals  review the risk assessment so that it covers everything a child comes into contact with particular reference to the trampoline.

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the early years provision

Children have developed excellent relationships with the childminder who clearly knows them very well and their individual personalities which means they are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 extremely well settled and secure. They are encouraged to develop have high levels of confidence and are relaxed in the childminder's home. They enjoy their play together in a comfortable environment where they have plenty of free choice and many opportunities to develop new skills such as exploring the tree house. Here, children love imaginative play where they play a range of games including shopping. They also love jumping on the trampoline. The childminder is reviewing her policy on the number of children allowed on this at any one time.

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the early years provision

The childminder is in the process of redeveloping her planning which is flexible and covers all areas of learning. Detailed observations and relevant photographs are used to create detailed children's records of their progression. However, these are not always matched to the next steps in their learning. Children enjoy taking part in a wide range of art and craft activities to support their learning. All activities are modified so that all children can fully participate. For example, an interest in volcanoes by older children led to younger children discovering how to safely make their own individual models using household products. Regular library visits and the daily sharing of favourite stories encourage a love of books and reading and means that children develop effective skills for the future. Attendance at age- appropriate groups helps children's socialisation skills and provides them with a sense of the wider world. Children adopt a good awareness of healthy living and

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the early years provision

staying safe as they take part in regular outings and often walk to local venues. They particularly enjoy visiting Wardown Park where they feed the ducks and climb suitable tree trunks. They adopt good personal hygiene routines and receive a balance of nutritious food. Children are able to rest or sleep in a separate area to meet their individual needs.

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the early years provision

Children interact well during social events such as meal times. Clear boundaries along with simple explanations ensure children develop positive behaviour towards each other. Meaningful praise and encouragement promote children's self-esteem and ensure they develop a positive and enthusiastic attitude to learning. There is a very good range of toys and resources available and children have plenty of free choice. The childminder knows each child very well so that individual needs can be met. Photographs and art work displayed on walls show that children have many opportunities to develop their creative skills. For example, all children create an 'all about me' poster which includes photographs of important people to them and drawings of their interests. This contributes effectively to children developing a strong sense of belonging.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is passionate about her work with children and shows commitment to developing her knowledge of child care and education. She is an experienced nanny and has recently completed a National Vocational Qualification in Child Care. She is interested in attending further training to enhance her knowledge so that outcomes are continually improved. She has a clear understanding of child protection safeguarding which promotes children's welfare. She ensures parents are aware of her role in child protection before they place This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their children in her care. The childminder ensures some positive steps are taken to ensure most areas are safe through risk assessments for indoors and outings undertaken. In addition, she carries out positive steps to ensure all children learn how to keep themselves safe such as knowing what to do in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

She creates a comfortable home environment where children safely access mainly high quality resources. These are suitable for their age and stage of development. For example, a play mat with a large safety mirror provides added interest for babies and all children. The environment both indoors and outdoors is conducive to learning and is well cared for. The childminder carefully maintains all required documentation and has a detailed set of policies and procedures. Parents receive a full copy of these so they can refer to them at any time.

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and outcomes for children

Partnerships are extremely well established and this contributes to children's achievement and well-being. For example, strong communication takes place between parents and providers of pre-schools where children attend. This means there is a strong emphasis on continuity of care between all parties. For example, a topic on 'People in the Community' is supported by relevant stories such as 'Fire Fighters'. In addition, children's progress is shared through a range of strategies such as verbally, through diaries and discussions which take place when children are not present. This means that parents can actively contribute to their children's learning and development. Parents offer high praise and value the childminder's effective contribution towards their children's learning and care. The childminder has a clear vision for the future and has made a good start on her self-evaluation. She has identified areas for development such as planning for individual

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and outcomes for children

preferences. This demonstrates her commitment to improving outcomes for children by reflecting on her practice. 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 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 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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