Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 141425 Inspection date 15/11/2011 Inspector Cordalee Harrison

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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 1994. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband, and their two teenage children. The childminder's husband is also a registered childminder. They live in Furzton, near Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire within walking distance of local amenities. They use the whole of the ground floor for childminding. Washing and toilet facilities are on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. The family pet is a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom three may be in the early years age group. When working with another childminder she may care for six children in the early years age group, of whom two may be under one year. Currently, there are five children on roll. Of these, three are in the early years age group.

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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

Overall, children are making good progress in their learning and development. The childminder makes effective arrangements to ensure children's health and safety in all areas of her practice. She communicates successfully with parents which provides up-to-date information to inform her daily practice. All necessary records are kept although they are not all retained for a reasonable period of time. The childminder maintains continuous improvement. She has addressed all recommendations from the previous inspection and she is making good use of evaluation and partnership working to drive improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems to monitor that all areas of learning are equally important and depend on each other to support a rounded approach to each child's individual development  improve the management of record keeping to make sure that essential records relating to individual children are retained for a reasonable period of time. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder takes positive steps to safeguard children. She has a good understanding of child protection issues and works effectively with her childminding partner to supervise children closely. They make sure that children are only alone with individuals who are fully vetted. Their child protection procedure is in keeping with the Local Safeguarding Children Board's guidance. Additionally, she is clear about lines of communication to deal with matters of concern about children's welfare. The childminder uses risk assessments and visual checks to create and maintain safe physical environments for children indoors and outside of the home. This helps to ensure that children do not have access to hazardous substances or a placed in dangerous situations. The childminder and her partner manage all documentation for children jointly. All necessary documentation required for safeguarding children's health and welfare is in place. For example,

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the early years provision

the childminders are careful to record medication that they administer to children and they share the information with parents. However, they do not retain a copy these records for a reasonable amount of time after the children have left their care. This has a limited impact on children.

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the early years provision

To progress her childminding provision the childminder has attended training to develop her knowledge of the Early Year Foundation Stage. Additionally, she works well with other childminders and professionals, such as practitioners at the Sure Start Children Centre. These contacts provide useful and informative information which helps her to keep her childcare knowledge and practice up-to-date. Through these contacts she also develops effective partnerships and a support network of like-minded individuals with the aim of improving the quality of care for children. The childminder is aware of her role to promote partnership working especially where children receive education and care in more than one setting. She has considered how she will achieve this, but she does not currently care for any children to whom this applies. The childminder effectively promotes inclusion and equality. She develops close relationships with children and their parents, which

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the early years provision

provides useful information about children's individual needs, culture and background. The childminder meets children's needs with consideration to their stage of development, likes, dislikes and parental wishes. Practice, such as displaying children's photographs, helps to create a feeling of belonging and inclusion for every child.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes good use of her resources which are suitable and inviting for the children present. They are easily accessible which helps children make independent choices about their play. The childminder uses self-evaluation effectively to assess strengths and identify areas for improvement in her practice. She involves her childminding partner and they take effective action to gain and sustain improvements for the benefit of the children. For example, they use forward planning to make sure that essential training such as first aid is always up to date. The childminder engages with parents well. She regularly shares information with them and knows that good communication is essential. Through regular exchange of good quality information, the childminder keeps abreast of children's changing needs and help parents to build on what children are learning This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans and delivers a wide range of interesting and stimulating activities each day for children. These help children to achieve and enjoy well overall and they engage in purposeful play. The childminder and her partner carry out regular observations for children and use this to inform their planning. However, these do not always show clear links to the areas of learning. As a result it is difficult to monitor whether every child is making progress in all areas and whether all areas are given equal importance. Children enjoy good quality activities indoors and outside of the home. Creative activities such as play dough provide opportunities for young children to make marks, and to use various tools such as rolling pins and cutters. They explore and experiment as they use resources such as sand and water.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their imaginations and extend learning with activities such as pretend play. For example, the use of figures that reflect older and younger people leads to discussion about people in the community. This helps children to develop their awareness of different aspects of diversity. Children further develop skills for the future as they use realistic resources in their play. For example, they practise communication and language skills as they make tea for others in their game. They learn about healthy eating as they use different fruits, vegetables and a variety of different foods in role-play games. They then link this knowledge to the healthy foods, including fresh fruits and salad vegetables that they eat for lunch. They further develop their understanding of healthy lifestyles through good hygiene habits such washing their hands before handling food. Children get regular exercise as they play in the garden and go for walks to explore the local area. The

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and outcomes for children

childminder develops these activities to extend children's understanding of safety. For example, they learn about road safety and begin to understand that good behaviour helps to keep them safe. Children behave well and make a positive contribution to maintaining a purposeful learning environment. Both the childminder and her partner are kind calm and consistent in their interaction with children. This assures children, helps them to feel safe and provides them with good role-models. 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 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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