Childminder in Bedford

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 219601 Inspection date 30/01/2009 Inspector Paula Jane Hayhow

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Type of setting Childminder 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. 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 1998. She lives with two children one of whom is an adult and the other is 15 years old. They live in the Putnoe area of Bedford, Bedfordshire. The whole of the childminder’s ground floor of her house, is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the childminder's house is via a step. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to provide care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered to provide three places for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and there are currently three children attending who are within this age group. The children live locally or travel from the surrounding areas. One child attends another setting, the local pre-school.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both parts of the compulsory and voluntary Childcare Register. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the Early Years age range. There is currently one child on roll in this age range.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the childminder provides well for children in the EYFS. She offers a welcoming environment and provides caring support and a stimulating environment with resources which fully engages children in their learning. The childminder's clear, flexible approach to planning ensures that each child's individual needs are promoted and they enjoy their time with her. The partnership with parents and other carers is good and contributes to ensuring that children's needs are recognised and met. The childminder has some practical procedures for evaluating her practice, which means that she has a generally clear picture of her strengths and weaknesses. This enables her to make changes which lead to improvements in the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that records are readily available and meet the needs of children present. This refers to children’s personal information, such as the emergency contact details and consistently filling in the accident record correctly  improve risk assessment plans to include each type of outing undertaken, with reference to the required adult: child ratios, reviewing it before embarking on each outing  ensure that observational assessment are routinely updated and monitored in order to plan to meet children’s next area of learning. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Supportive and clear records, policies and procedures are routinely given to parents at placement so they are fully aware of the childminder’s practice. Sound safeguarding policies ensure that children are protected at all times but some need updating with correct information such as the regulator’s contact details and procedures to take in the event of an allegation. The childminder has organised very effective communication systems with parents, relating to their children's care and learning. For example, she discusses the children's development daily at pick up time, records their day’s happenings on communication sheet, devises termly reports and welcomes parent’s feedback on these. Children's care routines and capabilities are discussed with parents at placement time, and there is a securing settling in periods for children, carried out at their pace. The childminder provides a stimulating and welcoming atmosphere for the children and makes sure that the

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provision

activities include all six areas of learning. However, assessment records are not always updated with the childrens achievements and the next area of learning is not consistently identified. This could prevent the childminder gaining an overview of the children’s learning or next step in their progression.

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provision

There are clear procedures for monitoring and evaluating the childminder's practice which means that she is aware of areas needing improvement. She checks the premises daily before the children arrive for any hazards, has a written risk assessment of her premises and garden and makes sure all toys and equipment are complete and in good order. She is continually assessing the welfare of children and has action plans to rectify any concerns. She has completed promptly the recommendations raised at her previous inspection and has a good commitment to developing her childcare knowledge through further training such as courses on EYFS and ‘Birth to Three Framework’. However, there is no separate record for each type of outing undertaken, which could impact on the children's safety. The childminder has organised her home and resources well, routinely rotating the toys to aid variety and challenge. She ensures that the children have a

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provision

balanced and varied range of activities in the home and garden, with a plentiful supply of toys readily available to accommodate short concentration spans. All documentation relating to each child is detailed, confidentially stored and parents have access to all records whenever they wish. However, children’s safety could be affected as some documentation, such as emergency contacts and the countersigning of accident records, are not consistently sought or filled in.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with stimulating opportunities to enable them to make good progress in all areas of learning and development. The childminder uses spontaneous play situations to develop the children's understanding of their world. For example, she develops their understanding of volume and capacity through weighing out ingredients when cooking or playing with the sand or water at toddler group. She encourages their language and vocabulary such as wiggle, exploring, rescue, squeeze, ladybird and butterflies when telling stories explaining and describing what they mean. The childminder plans monthly themes to extend This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children’s understanding of the world around them, such as topics on ‘mini-beasts’, ‘autumn’, ‘transport’, ‘colours’ and ‘numbers’. Children enjoy bug hunts as well as collecting and sweeping leaves into piles to feel their crunchiness, count them and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

kick them into the air to see them fall.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The ordered, flexible planning ensures that children are offered a good range of activities and they confidently enjoy their environment. The planning links the activities to the six areas of learning and the environment is set up invitingly for children to self-select their resources thus initiating their own play and learning. Children get on well together and are learning to share resources, be polite at meal times, take turn on board games and lay the table when asked. They gain appropriate life skills and independence through developing and managing their own care such as rolling out the playdough, using the cutters adeptly, helping to pack toys away or washing their hands carefully before snack time. They have opportunities on wet days to dance, make dens at home or on clear days they visit the park to use the climbing apparatus, scramble nets, slides, swings and gain co- operative skills when playing football together.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a safe, secure environment because the childminder has a sound understanding of this area. She conducts daily checks of the home, which ensures that children cannot exit the premises unseen, touch electrical sockets or have access to hazardous items. Children take part in routines that promote their understanding of safety such as discussions relating to 'stranger danger', emergency fire drills and learning road safety on their walks in the community. Children are well nourished as the childminder supplies wholesome snacks using fresh ingredients and there is a fruit bowl available at all times should they be hungry. The childminder has a clear understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and has ensured that she has relevant information and contact details readily available should she have a concern. 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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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

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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