Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY355502 Inspection date 30/05/2012 Inspector Naomi Brown

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and ten in Bletchley, close to Milton Keynes. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three in the early years age range. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent/toddler group. The family has a small dog. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the 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 making good progress as they benefit from well organised planning, observations and assessments that meet their learning needs. The childminder takes suitable steps to safeguard children in her care She has started to evaluate her provision but she has not yet implemented targeted changes to improve outcomes for children. The childminder has developed effective relationships with parents and settings involved in children's care, which has a beneficial effect on their overall learning and development. Children enjoy learning about the wider world around them from the childminder's positive attitude towards diversity.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop self-evaluation systems to identify ways to improve outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children's Board procedures. Her written policy demonstrates the procedures she will follow if she is concerned about a child in her care. The childminder ensures that the areas of her environment and resources are safe and suitable by regularly assessing the risks to children. The childminder teaches children road safety awareness as they walk to and from school and visit the park. She maintains necessary first aid training and deals with accidents and illness appropriately. She maintains all records related to accidents and illnesses suitably.

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the early years provision

The childminder has not given full consideration to evaluating the service that she This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 provides. In discussion, she explains that her priority is to improve her knowledge of changes to the curriculum as well as updating some of her written records. She welcomes advice and support from local advisors and attends groups organised at the local children's centre to discuss practice issues with other childcare professionals. The childminder demonstrates a sound commitment to developing her practice and has attended training courses on first aid and food hygiene.

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the early years provision

Children progress well in their learning because they have free access to good quality resources that meet their individual needs. As a result, children are interested in their surroundings and are motivated learners. The childminder organises her time well. She actively promotes equality and diversity in her practice, which enables all children to have a good understanding of differing cultures and beliefs. Children benefit from activities, outings and a wide range of resources that enable them to develop value for individual differences. They enjoy celebrating a range of festivals from cultures that are both familiar and unfamiliar to them.

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the early years provision

The childminder has worked hard to develop strong links with parents and carers. She shares information with parents each day to inform them about their child's development and activities. Parents praise the childminder's care. They are able to contribute to their children's learning as they have access to plans and observations and assessments. Daily activity plans clearly arise from individual children's identified next learning stage and this has a positive effect on their achievements. The childminder works closely with other settings that children attend. She uses a variety of methods to communicate with other carers on all aspects of children's care, learning and development so that she can provide children with a stimulating and varied curriculum.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in relation to their starting points and stages of development. They have plenty of opportunities to make marks with paint, pens and crayons. They enjoy painting with a range of colours and have fun while they experiment with patterns. The childminder encourages them to learn as she asks them open questions about the activity. She encourages children to develop confidence in their abilities. For example, when they ask her a question, she responds with 'what do you think?' As a result, children are encouraged to make connections and to think carefully about their play. The childminder encourages children to count, sequence and recognise numbers in everyday activities. For example, they count how many wheels they need to build a car from small construction bricks. Children are developing effective skills for the future as they have access to lots of push button and programmable toys that also support

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and outcomes for children

Children choose favourite books for the childminder to read and enjoy pointing out This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 things they recognise in the pictures. The childminder has taken individual children's likes and dislikes into account when stocking her book corner and children enjoy reading books that correspond to their particular interests. They learn about many aspects of the world around them through books and small world play. Outings in their community are used to prompt discussion about the diversity of the world around them. As a result, children learn to value individual differences.

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and outcomes for children

Small construction toys, play vehicles, pens and pencils encourage children to develop strong small muscle skills, which they use skilfully. Children enjoy lots of opportunities to develop their large muscle skills as they run, climb and jump in the childminder's garden and take walks to local parks and play centres. This also has a beneficial effect on their health and children understand the effects of exercise and hot weather on their bodies. They discuss how they must drink more in response to their physical play. Minding areas are clean and tidy and the childminder uses strong routines to encourage children to understand how to protect their good health. They eat home cooked, nutritious meals and enjoy free access to drinks throughout the day. They demonstrate a positive understanding of how to support their good health. For example, they fetch their sun cream and hats before going outside on hot days.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder clearly values children's individual opinions, needs and feelings. She speaks to children to encourage them to feel welcome and to make their own choices. Children are given opportunities to express their feelings and they readily tell the childminder how they feel about things that have happened in their day. She encourages them to explore their emotions, especially those regarding events that have troubled them. As a result, children are happy, settled and feel safe in her home. The childminder manages behaviour well as she praises children for positive behaviour. The childminder ensures that she is a good role model. She is warm and affectionate with children and they have developed strong attachments to her and their friends. 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: 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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