Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY399258 Inspection date 24/01/2012 Inspector Karen McIntyre

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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 2009. She lives with her husband and three children ages 12 years and twins eight years old in Flitwick, BEDFORD. The childminder has a lodger in the house. The whole of the ground floor except the study area is available for childminding. The rear garden is available for outdoor play. The childminder keeps chickens in her garden. There is also a large pond which is securely covered.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She can provide care for a maximum four of children at any one time, of whom three may be on the Early Years Register. The childminder is currently minding two children under five and two children aged from five to eight years old. 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

Children are cared for in a warm and stimulating environment. The childminder knows them well and provides a range of suitable activities and experiences to support all areas of their learning and development. The childminder has developed strong relationships with parents and actively encourages them to share information about their children. The childminder demonstrates good capacity for continuous improvement and most of her documentation is accurate. The childminder has one minor action, which has minimal impact on the children's safety but needs to be addressed. The childminder meets the majority of requirements to a very high standard.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure to keep an accurate daily record of all children's hours of attendance (Documentation). 07/02/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the outdoor area to provide a wider range of adult-led and freely chosen or child initiated activities. 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 has a good understanding of her role and responsibility to safeguard children. She is aware of the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child and has created a comprehensive safeguarding policy. Children play in a safe environment because the childminder carries out regular risk assessments for her home and garden. There is a clear evacuation plan displayed in the entrance hall, so children know where to leave the house quickly and safely. The childminder has a number of comprehensive written policies and procedures and keeps most records accurate. However, the attendance register is not always completed accurately causing some children's safety to be slightly compromised.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very knowledgeable about the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this well to support children in their learning. The children receive good levels of challenge appropriate to their age and stage of development. For example children who are learning to walk are provided with walkers and small sturdy tables. The floor is cleared in order to provide a large space for children to practise new skills. There are a wide range of toys and equipment that are accessible to the children. For example they explore musical activity centres, manipulate large plastic bricks and select books independently. The childminder is mindful of the younger children's safety by ensuring that toys with smaller pieces remain on the higher shelves out of reach. There is a good selection of toys that reflect diversity, including dolls, books, small world play people and posters depicting race, age, gender and disability. In addition to this the children's artwork is displayed on the

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the early years provision

walls including 'my family', a harvest festival collage and a map of the world. Further cultural activities are encouraged such as making fortune cookies and dragons for Chinese New Year. This supports the children in understanding other cultures and lifestyles and helps promote equality and diversity.

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the early years provision

Parents are actively encouraged to build a strong professional relationship with the childminder. They are shown comprehensive policies about the setting during registration and regularly invited to add information to their children's learning journal and daily diary. Parent's wishes are taken into consideration, resulting in the children settling well into the setting and parents feeling informed. For example if requested by the parents, bilingual children are spoken to in English followed by simple words in their home language.

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the early years provision

The childminder is establishing links with other local providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as toddler group leaders. This allows her to exchange ideas that may help develop her setting and further support the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates great awareness of areas that need to be developed. She plans to enhance the outdoor area by adding to the equipment to include a water tray and funnels, planting more vegetables and researching a shade. This will provide more learning opportunities for the children as they can access the garden in all weather. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children form strong attachments with the childminder and appear safe and settled in her care. They smile, babble and move towards her when playing and are confident to explore the room independently. The childminder knows the children very well because she carries out thorough regular observations and makes accurate assessments. This information to use effectively to plan the children's next individual learning opportunities. As a result, children are developing well in all areas of their development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are fully engaged in play. They are supported in investigating toys and equipment that interest them and older children are involved in planning future activities. Resources and activities cover all areas of learning and development. For example, children are encouraged explore tunnels, musical instruments, shape sorters, bricks and a variety of books. They attend toddler groups, singing groups, library and enjoy walks around to the local park.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes healthy lifestyles by providing nutritious snacks such as fruit, crackers and fruit bread and offering frequent access to water. She supports younger children to wash their hands before and after eating and going to the toilet or nappy changing. Older children are encouraged to care for themselves independently and there is a hand washing poster in the toilet to encourage them. This supports the children to develop an understanding of well-being according to their individual ages. Children walk to school and often use local parks after school. Regular access to the childminder's garden provides them with further opportunities to develop physical skills as they ball games or use the ride on toys.

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and outcomes for children

Children are given many opportunities to develop skills for the future. They have access to musical instruments and can choose to select and listen or dance to music. The younger children show a great interest in computers and musical activity centres, pressing buttons and waiting for a response. During snack children demonstrate a great amount of interest in some electrical appliances, they point and listen to the different sounds. The childminder encourages this inquisitiveness and promotes the children's curiosity by talking to them about the appliance and its uses.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave well and are learning about boundaries because the childminder uses age appropriate behaviour management techniques. These are discussed with parents to ensure suitability and consistency. Younger children are distracted with another toys or moved into a different room. When walking to school, older children are shown a 'stopping place' where they must wait for the childminder. They also decide and write some appropriate house rules, which are clearly displayed on the kitchen door.

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and outcomes for children

Throughout the day the childminder offers frequently praise and reinforces boundaries consistently. As a result the children are confident, happy and inquisitive. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure to keep an accurate daily record of all children's hours of attendance (Records to be kept). 07/02/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure to keep an accurate daily record of all children's hours of attendance (Records to be kept). 07/02/2012

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