Childminder in Milton KeynesOfsted inspection, 8 Feb 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY431404 Inspection date 08/02/2012 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 2011. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their child aged one year. They live in Bletchley, Milton Keynes, in Buckinghamshire. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding. Children have access to the living room and the dining area. Children sleep in a first floor bedroom. Washing and toilet facilities are located on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden at the rear of the premises. The childminder's home is within walking distance of schools, shops, toddler groups, parks and other amenities. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight at any one time; of these, not more than two may be in the early years age group. Currently, there is one child on roll; the child is 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

Children are at ease in the childminder's care and they are making good progress in most areas of their learning and development. The childminder follows parents' guidance closely and engages them effectively in children's care and education. This enables the childminder to meet all aspects of children's individual needs properly and promote inclusion for all children. The childminder organises her activities efficiently. This enables her to meet children's safety, health and welfare needs very well. The childminder is working successfully to drive improvement; since her registration, she has completed additional training to improve her knowledge of childcare and education.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further opportunities and increase the resources for children to have more independence and control of the use of these resources, to deepen their understanding of information and communication technology.

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the early years provision

Good arrangements are in place to safeguard children's welfare. The childminder has good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding matters, including child protection. The childminder is clear about the procedure to follow if she has concerns about children's well-being. Additionally, she shares this information with parents. Documentation required is in place, records are accurate and up-to-date. The childminder takes effective action to create and maintain safe physical This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 environments for children. For example, she supervises children closely and she makes thorough use of risk assessments. Appropriate precautions, such as the use of stair gates and other safety equipment limit opportunities for accidents to children. The childminder addresses fire safety issues properly, she makes sure that smoke detectors and a fire blanket is in place and that they are in working

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the early years provision

order. Additionally, she practises of the evacuation drill with the children. The safe physical environment encourages the children to increase their mobility as they move around to access their resources. The childminder maintains her home to good standards of hygiene and she develops children's awareness of good health and personal care. For example, she provides children with varied and nutritious food, makes sure that they are clean and comfortable and reduces cross-infection with the use of individual items such as linen.

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the early years provision

Overall, the childminder provides children with plenty of stimulating play resources that are appropriate to their stage of development. Resources such as safety seats and travel cots support children's physical development, and assures their safety. The childminder is knowledgeable and positive about equality and diversity. She gains good quality information from parents to meet children's cultural and personal needs. She provides resources to raise children's awareness of cultural diversity and disabilities. The childminder is careful not to use stereotypical words or actions in her interactions with children. The childminder is making effective use of self-evaluation; she identifies strengths and areas for improvement. For example, she identifies that although she makes effective use of resources from the toy library, it will be beneficial to the children for her to expand on her core range. To drive improvement, she has registered with the local Food Standard

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the early years provision

Agency, attended training and identified further training to extend her knowledge of safeguarding.

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the early years provision

The childminder works closely with parents and they value the information that she shares with them. Parents praise her for the quality of care and learning opportunities that she provides for children. They state that through her positive engagement, they are able to develop activities at home to extend children's learning. The childminder knows her responsibility to work in partnership with other practitioners when children attend more than one setting. However, to date she has not cared for any child to whom this applies.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the childminder's positive involvement in their play. This helps them to maintain their focus and extend learning. In ways such as these, the childminder extends child-initiated activities. For example, she encourages the children to experiment to find out why when they put some objects in the shape sorter, sometimes it makes a sound and at other times, it does not. Appropriate challenges such as these help children to test their ideas and spur their curiosity. Thoughtful planning and presentation of activities ensures that children experience learning across all areas. The childminder knows the next step that she plans for each child and she identifies activities to promote their progress, to achieve This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individual goals. For example, to build the stamina and confidence of children who are starting to walk, she encourages them to walk on different surfaces, such as

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and outcomes for children

flooring indoors and grass outdoors. She increases the value of the activity by encouraging the children to walk between objects such as the swing and slide. Through first-hand and pleasurable experiences such as these, children promote their physical development. Additionally, the very good care that the childminder takes of their personal hygiene needs and the healthy foods that children eat increases their understanding of healthy lifestyles. Warm interaction between the children and the childminder promotes children's emotional development. Children feel safe and reassured. This is because the childminder speaks calmly to them and gives them her time and attention until they feel able to socialise and to familiarise themselves with new situations.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is very responsive to the children and this helps them to know that their needs are important. The childminder praises the children and celebrates their achievements with them. This helps all the children to recognise when they and others have done well. Children learn to make positive contributions through their good behaviour. For example, children learn right from wrong, because the childminder gently lets them know when their behaviour is unwanted.

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and outcomes for children

Children explore books from an early age and the childminder is responsive to children's communication whether they use words or gestures. She further develops this area of learning with stories and visual aids. For example, soft toys reflecting the characters in stories add another dimension to the activity and increase children's enjoyment. Children are achieving, enjoying and developing many useful skills for the future. Children use some modern technology; however, there are insufficient opportunities for them to use such equipment independently. This reduces the opportunities for children to explore and experiment with such resources at their leisure. 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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