Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY436168 Inspection date 05/05/2012 Inspector Lorraine Sparey

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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 lives with her husband and her three adult children on a residential estate in Conniburrow, close to the centre of Milton Keynes. Childminding takes place mainly on the ground floor and in the lounge on the first floor. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. A maximum of six children under eight years may attend at any one time; of these, three may be in the early years age group. There are currently three children on roll and of these, one is in the early years age group. The childminder has a qualification in early years.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's homely environment, where they participate in a range of age-appropriate activities and play opportunities. The childminder demonstrates basic knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and overall she meets children's needs. However, some procedures and aspects of documentation to support children's health, safety and general well- being are not in place. The childminder has some systems to reflect on her practice, but these are not sufficient to identify fully areas that require developing. Partnerships with parents are sound but links with other settings are not fully established. The childminder demonstrates some capacity to maintain continuous improvement through training.

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further?

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

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further?

 maintain a daily record of the names of the children looked after on the premises and their hours of attendance (Documentation) (also applies to both parts of Childcare Register) 21/05/2012

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further?

 request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 21/05/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop reflective practice and self-evaluation to identify strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  improve the systems to work together with other early years practitioners to provide consistency in children's care and learning  improve children's understanding of supporting their own safety by practising the evacuation drill  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and trips.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates sound awareness of safeguarding children. She is able to identify possible issues and the procedures to follow in the event of a concern with regard to children's welfare. The childminder completes risk assessments of the home and garden. However, she does not routinely record her assessment of risks for the outings they go on in the community. The childminder has some of the required records in writing such as children's basic details. However, not all the required documentation to support children's health, safety and overall well-being is in place. For example, children's hours of attendance are not recorded and nor is permission for the seeking of emergency medical advice or treatment. These two lapses are breaches of the legal requirements. Although the records are not in place, the impact on the children at this time is minimal. The childminder constantly supervises children and is able to contact the parent in the

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the early years provision

The childminder is in the very early stages of childminding and has begun to consider methods to monitor and evaluate the provision. However, the systems are not fully successful in identifying areas that require improvement. She seeks the views of parents through informal discussions and meets with other childminders to discuss good practice. The childminder is booked to attend a workshop on the revised Early Years Foundation Stage framework to support her in keeping up to date with the relevant changes. This demonstrates her positive attitude to developing her practice.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a basic range of resources including some that provide positive images of diversity to enable children to learn to respect and value others. The ground floor of the home and the lounge on the first floor are the main play areas, enabling children to have some choices in their play. The childminder provides children with good levels of support in their play and learning. She spends all her time playing and talking with them, enabling her to meet their individual needs appropriately.

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the early years provision

The childminder is developing positive relationships with parents. They share information verbally when they drop off and collect their children. The childminder provides a daily written sheet detailing mainly the children's care needs such as what they have had to eat. Children's progress with regard to their learning and development is discussed on a weekly basis. Parents report that they are happy with their children's development and their children look forward to coming to the childminder's home. Parents state they value the fact that the childminder has an early years qualification. The childminder is beginning to develop systems to share This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 information with other early years settings that the children attend. However, these are not fully in place to ensure a consistent approach to children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They participate in an adequate range of activities generally linking to their interests. For example, children have the opportunity to play with dough, talking about their favourite colours and the different shapes they are making with the cutters. Children's language is developing appropriately and the childminder encourages them to read books and listen to stories. Children talk about the animals they can see in the story about a farm. The childminder extends their learning by encouraging them to think about the different names for baby animals. Children learn to count through rhymes and some count up to 20 and confidently write down the numbers. As a result, children are developing appropriate skills for the future to support them in becoming independent learners. Children enjoy drawing and use their imagination as they talk about the spider or house they are drawing. Children benefit from

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and outcomes for children

regular outings in the local community to the library where they have opportunities to socialise with other children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates a basic understanding of the learning and development requirements. She completes spontaneous and focused observations to help her in assessing children's progress. There is some discussion with parents about planning the next steps. Consequently, children are making sound progress in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow appropriate hygiene routines and benefit from opportunities to play and exercise in the fresh air. They make regular visits to the local park where they can climb, swing and run around in safety. They benefit from healthy and nutritious meals tailored to their individual needs concerning cultural and religious requirements. Children have some opportunities to learn about staying safe as the childminder talks to them, explaining the consequences of their actions. For example, children become aware that if they run indoors they may slip and hurt themselves. Children have not had the opportunity to practise the evacuation procedure to enable them to become familiar with what to do an emergency. Children's behaviour is appropriate for their age and stage of development. They are polite and well behaved. Children celebrate a variety of festivals throughout the year, some of which link in particularly well with their individual needs and

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and outcomes for children

family backgrounds. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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

 keep and implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard children being cared for from abuse or neglect (Arrangements for safeguarding children) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 21/05/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 devise a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing or by email (Procedures for dealing with complaints) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 21/05/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 21/05/2012

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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

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Arrangements for safeguarding children) (Procedures for dealing with complaints 21/05/2012

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Records to be kept). 21/05/2012

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