Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY411668 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 registered in 2010. She lives with her husband and two children in Downs Barn, Milton Keynes. The whole of the home is registered for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of three children under eight years old at any one time; of whom one may be in the early years age group. The childminder currently has one child on roll in this age range. She is able to walk and drive to local schools and pre-schools to take and collect children.

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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 enjoy a variety of activities and play opportunities, which promote their learning and development across most aspects of the early learning goals. The childminder promotes inclusive practice well overall. There are good strategies in place, such as strong partnerships with parents, to ensure children's individual needs are effectively met. The childminder has devised good strategies to evaluate her provision, such as attending training to identify areas for future development. She assesses her findings, alongside feedback from parents, to effectively enhance practice and maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further opportunities for children to benefit from regular outdoor play experiences to promote their good health and physical development  introduce a range of resources that depict positive images with differing abilities in order to encourage children to gain an awareness of diversity.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder has thorough strategies in place to promote their welfare and safety. She is confident in her child protection knowledge, policy and procedures. Space is used well in the home and good strategies are in place to ensure the home is safe and hazards are minimised. For example, stairgates prevent children from accessing the stairs unsupervised. On outings, the childminder takes positive steps to promote children's safety. She ensures children walk with her and she continually checks for hazards, such as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 broken glass and dog mess. The childminder provides a varied range of toys and resources; all of which are maintained in good condition.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good strategies in place to protect children from the spread of germs and infections, for example, implementing exclusion times for sick children to reduce the spread of illness. The home is clean and well maintained and good strategies are in place to promote hygiene when changing nappies. The childminder is trained in first aid. Accident and medication records contain clear information relating to events and are shared with parents. As a result, the parents have a clearer insight into the care provided for their children.

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the early years provision

Children benefit from the strong relationships being forged between their parents and the childminder. Parents receive copies of the childminder's policies and procedures, which offer them a detailed insight into her role and responsibilities. The daily sharing of information, both verbally and in a daily diary, ensures parents have an awareness of how their children spend their day. In return, the childminder ensures she receives sufficient information from parents to enable her to adapt her provision and meet children's individual needs. The childminder works well with parents and regularly shares information relating to children's progress and achievements. The childminder values parents' opinions and regularly requests feedback, which she uses effectively to evaluate and guide her provision. Parents make positive comments, particularly in relation to the support she gives children in developing their confidence and in providing opportunities for them to

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the early years provision

The childminder displays a positive attitude towards working with external agencies in order to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities, as and when required. At present no other minded children attend other settings that implement the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, but the childminder expresses a willing attitude towards working in partnership to support children. Furthermore, she is willing to assist children in their transitions on to school.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes effective use of training opportunities to help drive improvement; she has a positive attitude towards extending her professional knowledge of childcare. Since registration, the childminder has taken positive steps to ensure that the requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage are met. The childminder liaises with other childminders in order to share knowledge and good practice. She has good strategies in place to evaluate her provision, such as gaining feedback from parents. Information gained is used to guide her future provision.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to a suitable range of toys and resources. They are stored effectively, which enables children to make choices and to follow their own interests. The childminder rotates the toys to ensure children experience variety. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Detailed strategies are in place to ascertain information on children's stages of development as they join her provision. This enables the childminder to plan for their future learning. The childminder has clear systems in place to monitor and observe children's achievements. Information gained is used effectively to plan for children's next steps, which encourages progress in their learning and development. The childminder provides a suitable range of activities, which are appropriate for children's ages and individual stages of development. Children are developing skills for the future. For example, they have access to an appropriate

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and outcomes for children

range of programmable equipment and they are able to develop mark making skills when drawing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes trusting relationships with the children in order to encourage them to feel safe and secure. Children are gaining a good understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For example, the childminder talks to children about road safety to encourage them to develop an awareness of hazards. They practice the emergency evacuation procedure on a monthly basis, which encourages the children to develop a good understanding of the action to take in the event of a fire. Children are supported in developing friendships with each other. The childminder encourages children to share and take turns with the toys. She endeavours to be consistent in her approach towards managing children's behaviour and encourages them to learn the difference between right and wrong. Children are gaining some awareness of diversity through a suitable range of resources that depict positive images of race and culture. However, the

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and outcomes for children

childminder does not have any toys or resources that depict positive images of children with differing abilities to enable children to gain awareness through their play.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to follow appropriate hygiene routines, such as washing their hands before eating, reducing the spread of germs and infection. The childminder encourages children to follow good manners, such as using tissues to wipe their noses. Children experience some opportunities to benefit from being outside, such as a daily walk to and from a local pre-school. However, there are few opportunities for children to be outside and participate in activities that promote their physical development, such as climbing, running and balancing. The childminder provides a healthy range of snacks and meals, which encourage children to enjoy a healthy and nutritious diet. 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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