Childminder in Bedford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY429734 Inspection date 13/12/2011 Inspector Linda Bird

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and four children aged, two, six, seven and nine-years-old in a village near Bedford, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and a bedroom and a bathroom situated on the first floor are available to use for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family have one pet rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for three children at any one time. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 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

The childminder has a clear understanding of the individual needs of each child enabling her to successfully promote the children's welfare and learning. Children are safe and secure in the setting because the childminder is conscientious about their supervision. Partnerships with parents ensure that children's individual needs are met and an inclusive and welcoming environment is provided to all. This means that children progress well given their age, ability and starting points. Systems to monitor the quality of the provision offered and to ensure continued improvement are not yet fully developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the children acquire good table manners by encouraging them to sit at the table to eat their lunch  develop further a quality improvement process such as self-evaluation to monitor and extend practice and to ensure continued improvement.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and well protected in the setting because the childminder is knowledgeable about safeguarding and is aware of the procedures to follow if there was a concern about a child in her care. The childminder is appropriately vetted and is safe and suitable to work with young children. Risk assessments are carried out on a frequent basis and so the childminder is able to take action quickly to minimise risk. As a result of risk assessment to the garden, arrangements were This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 made to have part of the garden fenced off to prevent the children playing near the greenhouse. The children can now play freely and safely in the garden.

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the early years provision

The lounge is given over to creating a stimulating environment for the children to play in. Resources are plentiful and easily accessible to the children. The availability of a wide range of resources is encouraging and supporting the children to become independent. The provision outside is equally good with large items such as a trampoline and slide available to support children's physical development. The resources are well used by the children and their quality and deployment contributes to the children's good progress.

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the early years provision

This is the first inspection since the childminder was registered earlier this year. She is committed to providing the best possible provision for the children and is focussed on improving the setting. As a result the children are happy and are making good progress with their learning and development. The childminder has some processes in place to monitor and assess the quality of provision. For example she meets with local childminders and the group share information about their practice; the childminder uses this as a benchmark to assess her own practice. A more effective system such as self-evaluation to monitor and evaluate and then extend effective practice and ensure continued improvement has not been implemented.

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the early years provision

Communication between the childminder and the parents is good. The childminder provides parents with a comprehensive set of policies which are particular to her setting. Parents are welcome to stay for coffee and informal discussion in the morning and a daily diary is provided by the childminder to keep parents informed about their child's care and progress. In this way parents and the childminder share information about the children's activities and development and parents can become involved in their child's learning and each child is well supported in making progress towards the early learning goals. The children attend a number of toddler groups and visit the library and park. These partnerships and visits enhance the variety and breadth of the provision for the children and contribute to their good progress.

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the early years provision

The resources available to the children reflect the multi-racial nature of our society. The childminder is sensitive to the language and cultural differences of the children attending the setting and recognises and values those cultures by celebrating special festivals such as Diwali, in this way all the children benefit by learning about different cultures and beliefs. The childminder is careful to include all children in the life of the setting and to meet their individual needs so that they make the best possible progress.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's planning addresses the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and covers the six areas of learning. Daily observations are made of the children and these observations help her to tailor activities to meet This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individual children's needs. These systems are working well and the children are making good progress in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

There is a good balance between adult led and child initiated play. The children engaged in a craft session using glue, paper and glitter to make Christmas crackers. The children had fun decorating the cracker and are improving their fine motor control. The children are helped to develop their independence by having plentiful toys that are easily available. The childminder skilfully engaged with the children as they chose books for her to read to them. One of the books entitled 'That's my Monster' was a particular favourite. The childminder helped the children to extend their vocabulary by encouraging them to feel the pages and use words such as 'rough',' smooth' and 'fluffy'. Communication skills are developing well; this is because the childminder sensitively demonstrates pronunciation in response to what the children say and her approach is positive and supportive. The children know how to handle books, how to turn the pages and they know that print carries

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and outcomes for children

meaning. The children have access to good outdoor facilities and attend a 'mini movers' session once a week. The children walk and run confidently in the setting; they have learnt to manage themselves safely. Their physical development is good. The children are beginning to learn to count to three. The childminder encouraged the children to count ducks as they looked at a book together. The children are also developing a concept of size in talking about dinosaurs they used the words 'big' and 'huge'. The provision is supporting early mathematical development.

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and outcomes for children

The children feel safe and secure in the setting, this is because the childminder has taken appropriate steps to make both the indoor and outdoor environments safe and secure. A system of daily risk assessments is in place together with a number of policies and procedures designed to maintain a safe environment.

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and outcomes for children

The children are provided with healthy snacks such as bread sticks and fruit; consequently the children appreciate the importance of eating a healthy diet. The childminder also ensures that the children have access to a drink throughout the day so that they remain hydrated. The children know that water is good for them. All children are able to rest or be active according to their individual need. A pattern of sitting together at the table to eat lunch has not been established for all the children, it is important that the children are encouraged to eat at the table and to develop good table manners.

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and outcomes for children

The children play happily together and enjoy each other's company. They behave well and are learning to take turns and to share. They are interested and active learners this is because the childminder sets appropriate boundaries while giving the children as much independence and freedom as possible. 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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