Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 130101 Inspection date 23/03/2011 Inspector kath harding

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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 1995. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Oxhey, Hertfordshire. Most of the downstairs of the property is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has two dogs as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time. She also offers care to children aged over five years to eight 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 make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has a good understanding of their individual needs and actively promotes an inclusive environment where children begin to develop an awareness of diversity. She has a strong relationship with parents and works well with other providers to ensure continuity and progression for the children who attend other settings. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement. However, there are some minor weaknesses in systems that support the practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observations further to consistently make links to the 'Development matters' prompts to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress  use self-evaluation and quality improvement processes as the basis of ongoing internal review

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a good understanding of child protection procedures and has attended training in this area. She closely supervises the children in her care and knows of her responsibility to ensure everyone in the house is suitably checked. The childminder is vigilant and places high priority on children's safety. Risk assessments are in place for the childminder's home, garden and outings. A daily check list is also in place to ensure all areas used by the children are checked on a daily basis prior to their arrival. This helps to keep children safe. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements this to promote good outcomes for children. She has a book for each child containing observations, photographs and art work to illustrate what activities

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the early years provision

the children take part in. However, the observations are not used to plan for children's next steps in their learning and development to ensure their progression. She creates a welcoming environment where, resources and toys are accessible for children in a dedicated play room, helping to promote their independence.

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the early years provision

Links with other providers ensure a consistent approach is achieved to promote children's ongoing learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a good commitment to continuous improvement as she reflects on how to improve her service but as yet her self-evaluation is in it's infancy. She obtains advice from other practitioners, support workers and development workers, to help develop her practice.

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the early years provision

The children enjoy continuity of care because the childminder works closely with parents and offers them opportunities to make comments on the service provided. She provides parents with a daily diary, if they wish, so they know all about their child's day. The childminder's policies and procedures which underpin the service offered are given to all parents and they are requested to sign to state that they agree with these. Parental comments on the service provided include: 'I'm very happy with the support the childminder has given the children and myself. I really appreciate it'. 'We are very happy with how well our child has settled in. He loves his days with the childminder and it is great he is so happy'.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages the children to learn about road safety as she discusses this with them and talks about the dangers of talking to strangers. The children practise fire drills monthly so they know how to get out of the house in an emergency. Children adopt good personal hygiene routines as they wash their hands prior to eating, after using the toilet and after stroking the dogs. They have fun as they clean the dinosaurs teeth with toothpaste and tooth brushes, so encouraging children to brush their teeth regularly. They are encouraged to eat healthy snacks such as fruit and salad items and dietary requirements are always taken into account when preparing food. They get plenty of fresh air and exercise as they go out daily to play at the park and access a wide range of physical activities such as a climbing frame, bean bags, ball games and hoops.

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and outcomes for children

Children show a strong sense of belonging, are settled and quietly confident. They put their completed pictures on display on the wall, so valuing their work. The childminder interacts well with children during their play and constantly chatters to them and extends their learning by asking open-ended questions. She uses lots of praise and encouragement with the children, so enhancing children's self-esteem and self-confidence. As they explore in the flour they learn to count as they measure out the spoonfuls of ingredients and mix it all together. They choose what they going to add to this and choose stars and red colouring. They plant sunflower This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 seeds and tomatoes, watch them grow and tend to these, so learning about caring for living things. As they roll, prod, cut and squeeze the play dough they listen to number rhymes to encourage their problem solving skills. They push the doll's

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and outcomes for children

buggy around the house ensuring a clear pathway through. They freely approach the childminder and ask for help to put the dressing up clothes on. They are encouraged to name the colours of different objects as they play and talk about what the flour feels like, so encouraging children to use all their senses.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well. They learn to value others as they have a range of toys which help them to begin to understand about the wider world. They look at different festivals such as Chinese New Year and make dragons out of construction sets. They learn about their local community as they regularly go to the Green, feed the ducks and the local parks. They take part in sponsored events such as a sponsored toddle, so encouraging the children to think about other people and play a part in the wider community. 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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