Childminder in Luton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY429125 Inspection date 18/01/2012 Inspector Susan Marriott

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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. He lives with his wife, who is also a registered childminder, and one child aged 17 years in the Round Green area of Luton, Bedfordshire, close to schools and local facilities. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes and one bedroom upstairs is used for children who need undisturbed sleep. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play, which also accommodates a free-standing swimming pool. The family has a dog, a ferret, an owl, birds, marine fish and a rabbit as pets.

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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. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. He is currently caring for three children in the early years age range on a part-time basis. The childminder is also registered for overnight care for one child. The childminder works with his wife as a co-minder and they employ two assistants, one of whom takes and collects children from the local school. The other assistant is used as and when needed. 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 outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

This newly registered childminder has successfully established a beneficial working relationship as a co-minder with his wife, resulting in an exceptionally high quality of care and education for children. The family home provides a fun and friendly 'home-from-home' environment where children feel safe and secure as part of the extended family. The childminding team are well organised and they recognise children's uniqueness and individuality, promoting children's rapid progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder meets the diverse needs of children and ensures that they are able to participate in all activities in a fully inclusive way. Through his lively commitment and dedication to his new role, he demonstrates an outstanding ability to identify areas for development, enabling the continuous enhancement of daily care and learning experiences for children.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 enhancing planning, assessment and learning priorities to fully secure children's good progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children clearly feel secure and settled within this extremely well-organised environment, supported by extremely detailed and meticulously kept documentation. The childminder demonstrates a robust understanding of the procedures regarding the safeguarding of children and a very high level of commitment to promoting children's safety. All relevant members of the household have been checked by the Criminal Records Bureau and deemed suitable to be in regular contact with children. There is a very clear complaints procedure and extensive risk assessment which is carefully recorded, consistently monitored and regularly reviewed. Domestic safety measures are in place, a record of visitors is kept and fire evacuation plans are practised regularly with the children. Consequently, dangers are substantially minimised and children's safety is fully secured.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a highly professional and committed approach to his role and he has enthusiastically embraced the essence of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder makes excellent use of the skills gained from working alongside his wife to offer an exemplary standard of care and education to the children. The childminder demonstrates real enthusiasm for his work and is highly motivated to make changes that drive improvement and improve the outcomes for children. Activities are consistently evaluated and reviewed, and the views of parents and children are actively sought and valued. Parental questionnaires are full of positive responses and the childminder is keen to identify areas for development within his service and implement these in practice.

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the early years provision

Children are looked after by the childminder in an extremely safe, secure environment where they have room to develop their independence and knowledge in all six areas of learning through excellent planned experiences and purposeful play. A strong commitment is shown to inclusive practice and the childminder is skilled in including each child in the activities according to their ability. For example, he is enthusiastic about a recent training course attended on the subject of caring for disabled children. He has a wide range of toys, books and equipment which reflect differences and the children attending the setting. Children are treated as individuals and with respect. They have access to play materials and books that celebrate diversity, and the childminder is confident to talk to them about differences and to answer any questions they may have.

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the early years provision

Children attend other early years providers and the childminder has excellent arrangements in place to support transitions, and arrangements are in place to liaise with other providers when required. The childminder has established outstanding partnerships with parents and carers. Robust documentation, policies and procedures ensure a positive start to the contract. The childminder keeps parents and carers well informed of their children's welfare and learning progress through daily report sheets which support a detailed daily handover conversation. 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 has an in-depth knowledge of the individual children he cares for because he seeks a wealth of information to ensure he can meet all individual needs to a very high standard. This provides children with a genuine sense of security. The childminder skilfully meets the needs of all the children by providing them with an extensive range of play materials and activities that promote their development across the six areas of learning. Children feel very safe in this setting because of the nurturing atmosphere of trust between them and the childminder. They carry on with their play as the visiting inspector arrives and show great interest in what they do. The childminder talks with them continuously, skilfully exploiting the opportunities presented by child-led play to develop their learning. The childminder is always happy to listen to the children and make suggestions to aid their play and development, but also knows when to encourage and allow

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and outcomes for children

child-centred play and to sit back and observe. He ensures that the activities are planned around the children's individual interests and their daily routines. For example, lunch is served early to accommodate the children's sleep patterns and nursery sessions. Children engross themselves in self-chosen activities and develop a broad range of skills which aid their rapid progress towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Regular observations ensure the childminder has an excellent knowledge of the needs of the children and he uses this information effectively to develop his planning, with support and guidance from his co-minder. Detailed planning sheets show where the next steps in learning have been included for each child by means of coloured stickers, and this completes the planning cycle. Children's achievements are recorded in very well-presented individual files that contain written observations, samples of their work and photographs. The childminder is gaining confidence in using information from the Practice Guidance document to identify individual next steps for learning and the activities he will provide for each child. Nevertheless, the childminder accepts that there is further scope to develop the system for observation and assessment to secure children's progression across the areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Resources are accessible and support children in making independent choices about their play. Children develop their personal, social and emotional skills as they play with each other, discovering what they like and what they do not like. Children enjoy the company of others and learn by interacting with them, building relationships and making social contact. Children strive to do things for themselves and each child has their own towel and toothbrush in the cloakroom. The childminder consistently supports these developing independence skills with all the children in his care. Children get on well together and the childminder encourages them to share and to think of others.

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and outcomes for children

Photographs show children at play with a vast range of interesting things. They compare different sizes, use blocks to build and balance, and sing number songs. Children investigate, explore and play with everyday objects, they build and balance and explore things that make sounds and movements. Children have daily This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 access to fresh air and physical exercise. During the summer months they are able to use the heated pool in the garden and bake their own pizzas in the outdoor pizza oven. Creative skills develop as they play with different sensory objects, paint, mould, create pieces of artwork, make and move to music and sing songs. The childminder makes very good use of community facilities and children visit toddler groups to develop their social skills when appropriate. Children learn about crossing the road safely through talking about crossings and cars when they are

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and outcomes for children

out and about with the childminder. Children are encouraged to make a positive contribution through positive role modelling, copious praise and rewards. They experience everyday technology, including a toy camera and a toaster. They are able to make independent choices and sort out their play, sharing and playing together. Young children develop skills for the future as they collect their shoes and coat from the hallway when it is time to go to nursery. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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