Childminder in Luton

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY427089 Inspection date 27/02/2012 Inspector Hayley Lapworth

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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. She child minds from her co-childminder's home address in Luton. The whole of the downstairs of the premises is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play and the childminder has a pet dog. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time when working alone. The childminder together with her co-childminder may care for 11 children under eight at any one time. There are currently three children attending, one of whom is in the early years age range. Children attend on a full-time and part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register

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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 happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder provides children with a good variety of learning experiences and identifies their next steps in their learning. The childminder has a good understanding of the welfare requirements and has fully implemented most of these. She actively considers equality and diversity and most of the written procedures provided to parents are fully effective. The childminder has identified her strengths and weaknesses and is beginning to use this information to bring about positive outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the systems in place further to ensure that the premises are fully secure at all times (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register). 27/02/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the information given to parents about the procedure to be followed if children are not collected at the agreed time.

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the early years provision

The childminder has strong knowledge and understanding of child protection issues including possible signs and symptoms of abuse. She is also fully aware or her responsibilities in the event of a concern about a child in her care. She shares This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her written safeguarding procedures with parents at the onset of care. All adults living on the premises have completed appropriate vetting procedures. The childminder has created a visually stimulating learning environment and she displays her resources attractively to encourage children to become involved. She ensures that she is always in close proximity to the children which means they are fully supervised at all times. There is a safety gate across the hallway which minimises the opportunity for children to leave the house unnoticed as the front door is not always secured effectively from the inside. The childminder obtains

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the early years provision

parental consents for the seeking of emergency advice or treatment. She is aware of any legal restrictions and who has parental responsibility for the children in her care. The childminder has a childcare qualification and continues to grow in her own professional development by accessing short courses. All of which positively impact upon the service she provides.

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the early years provision

Systems for monitoring and self-assessment are developing well. The childminder has thought about her strengths and weaknesses and identifies action to take to overcome any weaknesses. For example, she states that she would like to include more displays of festivals celebrated showing the types of activities children have been involved in. Therefore, there is good capacity for continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are good as secure working relationships are established. Parents are invited to share their knowledge on their child's individual routine and stage of development at the onset of care. The childminder thereafter keep parents informed of the areas of development she is presently helping their child work towards. Consequently, the childminder is able to effectively meet the children's ongoing needs. The childminder provides parents of very young children with a daily diary. Therefore, this ensures they are fully informed about the care they have received whilst with the childminder. Through parental questionnaires parents state that their children love spending time with the childminder. They also share they especially appreciate the flexibility of the service. Written procedures which are shared with parents overall are generally good. However, the information supplied in relation to uncollected children in not fully effective.

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the early years provision

Consequently, parents may be unaware of the full procedures that will be followed. The childminder is aware of the benefits of developing partnerships with other providers where children attend more than one setting. As a result, children are provided with consistency in their care.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy their time spent with the childminder. They access many valuable learning experiences which relate to the six areas of learning. Children are encouraged to make decisions for themselves and self-select from low tables and low storage. There is a good balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities. The childminder monitors the children's involvement and responds by changing the resources as children become disengaged. She supports their learning by playing with them or alongside them, allowing them to lead their own learning. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder is securely implementing the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Each child has a learning journey where the childminder keeps observations and assessments of their learning. She then uses this information to ascertain their next steps in their learning journey. Therefore,

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning how to be creative whilst also gaining an understanding about healthy eating. For example, with the support of the childminder they make bracelets using string and hoops of wholegrain cereals. Through this activity children are encouraged to talk about breakfast foods that are good for their bodies. The childminder also takes opportunities to introduce early mathematical skills. She helps them to compare and see differences in size. For example, she suggests the children put two pieces of cereal side by side to see which hole is bigger and identify which one will thread more easily onto the string. She also encourages the children to count in numerical order. For example, children count with the childminder '1, 2, 3 pieces of cereal on the string'. Therefore, they are becoming confident in problem solving and using number in their everyday activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is promoted well as good procedures are in place to prevent the spread of infection. Children follow effective hygiene practices as they take increasing responsibility for washing their hands appropriately throughout the day. They are provided with individual resources and are becoming increasingly confident with self-care. For example, young children are encouraged to access a tissue and shown how to use a tissue to wipe their noses; in addition, they are asked to wash their hands after doing so. Children are provided with foods which effectively consider their nutritional needs and their personal preferences. For example, the childminder provides them with lots of fresh produce, such as fruit. Parents are also provided with information about healthy food options to include in their packed lunches. Children regularly spend time outdoors in local parks and the childminder's garden. Therefore, their overall health is enhanced. Children's

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and outcomes for children

understanding of their own safety is enhanced. This is because the childminder talks to the children about their safety. For example, she talks to them about why they should not run around the furniture indoors. 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

 (take action as specified in the early years section of the report) (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 27/02/2012

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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

 (take action as specified in the early years section of the report) (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 27/02/2012

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