Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY277377 Inspection date 01/06/2011 Inspector Penny Wood

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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 and lives in the Furzton area of Milton Keynes. The whole of the home is registered for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is able to walk and drive to local schools and pre-schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time, of whom, three may be in the early years age group. She currently has nine children on roll aged between 18 months and 10 years old. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are clearly at ease and settled in the childminder's care. They experience a suitable range of age appropriate play opportunities. Generally, children are making progress within their learning and development. The childminder promotes an inclusive environment and shares her time well between those present. Good strategies, such as strong partnerships with parents, enable the childminder to meet children's individual needs. The childminder has taken appropriate steps since her last inspection to promote continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop strategies to ensure that children are suitably challenged and learning opportunities are fully explored  improve snack times to encourage children to follow good routines and hygiene procedures  develop opportunities for children to explore a variety of media and materials further develop opportunities for children to gain an awareness of diversity, particularly in relation to disabilities.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the childminder's good procedures to promote their safety. She has a good understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and effective strategies to monitor and refer any concerns. The childminder assesses the risks in her home and takes positive action to minimise hazards. For example, low level glass is covered with safety film and kitchen cupboards are fitted with safety locks. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has a wide range of resources. Toys are stored effectively with smaller parts out of the younger children's reach. Outings are risked assessed to ensure venues are suitable and enable children to play safely.

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the early years provision

The childminder maintains a current first aid certificate, which ensures she is up- to-date with current practice. Health documentation, such as the medication records, contains clear information and is shared with parents informing them of events. An effective sickness policy, such as the exclusion of children when they are ill, reduces the spread of illness.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes good relationships with parents. She ensures they receive information relating to her policies and procedures, which offer them an insight into her role and responsibilities. A daily communication book informs parents of how children spend their day and of any achievements. Parents make positive comments relating to her provision, particularly in relation to her friendly and approachable attitude, her flexibility and that she has fair strategies for managing children's behaviour. The childminder has suitable strategies for working in partnership with other providers that children attend and to prepare children for their progression on to school. Appropriate strategies are in place to support children with additional needs and those children for whom English is an additional language.

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the early years provision

The childminder has appropriate systems in place to evaluate her provision. She participates in a suitable range of training opportunities, which supports her in driving improvement. The childminder has a sound understanding of some aspects that she could improve, such as providing more opportunities for children to participate in art and craft activities. The childminder talks about providing a home-from-home environment and being an extension of children's families.

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and outcomes for children

Children are gaining confidence and participate in a suitable range of play opportunities. The childminder has satisfactory systems in place to gain information about the individual child as they join her provision, which enables her to plan for their future development. Appropriate systems are in place to observe and monitor children's development and she identifies the next steps in children's learning. The childminder has a clear understanding of children's stages of development.

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and outcomes for children

Children occupy themselves well. However, there is limited interaction from the childminder to fully challenge and extend children's learning opportunities, for example, through questions and discussion. When children show a particular interest in bugs flying around a bush, the childminder does not seize the opportunity to further explore their interest. As a result, children's full learning potential is not fully promoted.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to make choices and to select toys from the available range. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 They are able to flow freely between the play room and the garden and they follow their own interests. Children enjoy playing with sand. They enjoy exploring and investigating while they dig and pour the sand through a fountain. When they make sand castles children enjoy showing the childminder their achievements. The childminder responds positively with praise and encouragement, which boosts children's confidence and self-esteem. Children of all ages play well with each other and the older children are particularly caring towards the younger children present. The childminder adopts firm strategies in managing children's behaviour and encourages children develop respect for others. Children are gaining some awareness of diversity, although have little access to resources that depict positive

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and outcomes for children

The childminder links with other registered childminders, which enable the children to develop their social skills with their peer group. Visits to toddler groups enable children to experience a wider range of opportunities, such as music and movement. On outings, the childminder encourages children to gain a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For example, she talks to them about road safety. At home, the childminder initiates regular fire evacuation drills, which enable children to gain an awareness of the action to take in an emergency. Older children are very careful in their play and talk to each other about being careful when the younger children are around.

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and outcomes for children

Children are developing an appropriate understanding of healthy lifestyles. They are physically active and enjoy opportunities to access a good range of play equipment during visits to play parks. When playing outside in hot weather, the childminder is mindful to ensure children wear hats and sun cream in order to protect them from the harmful effects of the sun. Children access a suitable range of snacks. However, children are not encouraged to consistently follow good routines, such as washing their hands before eating or sitting down to eat. Drinks are readily accessible to children, which enables them to see to their own needs when thirsty. Children talk about ensuring they drink plenty of water to prevent them from becoming dehydrated. 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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