Childminder in Bedford

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY225471 Inspection date 23/11/2011 Inspector Lynn Dent

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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 2002. She lives with her husband and child aged 13 years in Redwell, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the property is used 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. She takes children to the library and to the park. The family has pet dogs, guinea-pigs and rabbits.

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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 no more than three may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child attending within the Early Years Foundation Stage, who attends on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder 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 plans a wide range of interesting activities that effectively promote the outcomes for children. Early systems for recording children's progress and identifying their next steps in their learning and development are in place. Effective partnership with parents and other providers promotes continuity in children's care, learning and development. Children benefit from inclusive practice and partnership working with other services. The required written policies and procedures are in place and most are practised regularly to underpin the welfare of the children. The childminder effectively self-evaluates the service she provides which enables her to identify and take action to improve 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?

 practise the emergency evacuation procedure on a more regular basis  improve the children's developmental records, in particular with regards to linking observations to the areas of learning and identifying the children's learning priorities.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is well protected because the childminder fully understands her responsibilities for recording and reporting concerns to the Local Safeguarding This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children Board. Frequent risk assessments of the premises, resources and for every day outings, such as, using the car and walks in the community, ensure that children are kept safe. The childminder explains how she also carries out additional risk assessments when needed, such as, when making changes to the garden or buying new resources.

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the early years provision

The home and resources are organised well, enabling children to choose independently from the wide range of good quality toys and resources available. The childminder knows the children well because she spends time interacting with them and supporting their play. Therefore, she can plan for their individual interests and needs. As a result, the children are making good progress in their learning and development. Children's developmental files show what they have enjoyed and have achieved in some areas of learning. Although the records do not indicate the children's next steps, the childminder plans for these through her observations. The childminder plans and provides an interesting range of developmentally appropriate experiences for the children in her care such as, baking, craft activities, games and imaginative play. All children have daily opportunity to play and extend their learning outdoors, in the garden, at the

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the early years provision

allotment, the local farm and in the community. Therefore, they develop a good understanding of the local community in which they live.

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the early years provision

Parents receive information, when they first place their child, which includes written policies and procedures. This means they understand the service provided and the childminder's responsibilities for the children. Good two-way communication with parents means they are kept well informed about their child's day and progress. Information about what the children are learning at home is also shared, helping the childminder to support children while they are in her care. Partnership working with the local playgroup ensures that consistency of learning for children is promoted. Effective partnership working exists for the benefit for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities when needed. The childminder uses questionnaires with parents to help evaluate the service she provides. She also uses her own systems to identify areas for improvements. For example, while changing her garden she has developed activities to ensure she

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the early years provision

brings the outdoor experiences into the home. This has a positive impact on children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop an understanding of good hygiene routines as they wash their hands during the day and the childminder ensures that she cleans younger children's hands with wipes after eating. Children understand about healthy living as they help grow and prepare fruit and vegetables for snacks. Children feel secure in the childminder's care because she provides a caring and relaxing atmosphere. All children are encouraged to learn simple words in other languages, for example, by playing number games in French. Children develop a clear understanding of the natural world as they help the childminder plant and cultivate fruit and vegetables at the allotment. They also incubate and hatch chickens. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 All children understand the rules of the childminder's home as they have helped to develop these and they are displayed to remind them. Children receive praise,

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and outcomes for children

smiles and encouragement promoting their self-esteem. The childminder talks to children about how to evacuate the home in an emergency. However, this is not regularly practised. Therefore, children new to the setting may not fully understand what to do if the need to evacuate occurs. Children are learning from an early age about other safe practices, because the childminder reminds them of the dangers of climbing on furniture, the importance of wearing seatbelts in the car and how to cross the road safely.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder engages them in a range of purposeful activities. For example, as they play with replica dinosaurs, animals and vehicles, they decide they want to weigh these. The childminder provides kitchen scales and encourages the children to guess which will weigh heavier by holding the toys in each hand. They then weigh the toys to check and talk about the weight of each toy in grams. The childminder then effectively develops this further by challenging the children to think about the size of each toy, and asking them to decide if the bigger toys will weigh more. Younger children can match numbers and count accurately as they count the number of items on wooden numerals. They can also identify the numbers accurately when asked. Younger children are developing early writing skills while drawing circles and painting. The childminder positively encourages children to

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and outcomes for children

handle and look at books and these are easily available. Children have numerous opportunities to be creative with paints, sculpting material and with other media. Children show a sense of responsibility as they help tidy away toys so they don't fall over and as they get ready to go to pre-school. 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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