Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY284355 Inspection date 29/05/2012 Inspector Margaret Moffat

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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 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged 10 and four in Haversham, Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. The childminder uses the whole of the ground floor for childminding, with sleeping and toilet facilities within this area. There is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play. The childminder makes use of the local facilities, such as parks, the library and toddler group. The family has four cats and tropical fish as pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder may care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on 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 very much at home with this childminder. They take part in a wide range of activities each day and make good progress in their learning and development. Observations and assessments are effective in tracking children's progress overall. The childminder develops good relationships with parents and involves them in their children's learning and development. Children's welfare is promoted well overall, although the childminder is in breach of a specific legal requirement with regard to documentation. The childminder reflects on her practice using self-evaluation to improve the 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?

 keep a record of risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out , by whom, date of review or any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation) 22/06/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 build on existing systems for carrying out observations and assessments for example, by including the links to the areas of learning  include any assessment of outings and trips in the record of risk assessment. 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 is aware of how to keep children safe within the home and on outings. She has a range of safety features within the home, such as fire safety equipment and stair gates. However, risk assessments are not recorded and this is a breach of a specific legal requirement. The impact on children is minimal as the childminder supervises the children at all times. The childminder follows good procedures to keep children safe on outings as she risk assesses these, but she does not follow the good practice of recording these assessments. The childminder is aware of how to safeguard the children and the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about the children in her care.

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the early years provision

The childminder evaluates her service well and identifies training needs to update her knowledge to promote outcomes for children. The childminder has addressed all the recommendations since the last inspection and most documentation has improved because of this. The childminder provides parents with questionnaires to seek their views on her setting. All this shows a good commitment to ongoing improvement.

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the early years provision

Children play in a well-organised environment where they can freely make choices in their play both indoors and out. The activities and resources are age appropriate and in easy reach of the children. The childminder sets out a good range of toys for the younger children taking account of their interests and favourite things to do. The childminder sees each child as an individual with a particular set of needs. The childminder helps children learn about the world around them through outings in the local community and places of interest such as the farm. They discuss other cultures and their traditions and there is a varied range of toys and resources to support positive images of diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder shows an awareness of the need to communicate with staff at other early years settings to support children's well-being and progress should the need arise. Parents are happy with the service provided. They particularly like the interaction the childminder has with the children and how happy they are in her care. The childminder provides the parents with good information about her setting and their children. They receive copies of policies and procedures, which they sign indicating they have read and understood these. The childminder provides daily feedback about the children both verbally and through the daily diaries, she completes. Parents have good opportunities to be involved in children's learning and development as they provide the childminder with information about what they learn at home and she can incorporate this into their learning and development with her. The childminder has also introduced a library system where

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the early years provision

children can borrow books to share with their parents. This helps foster children's understanding of the importance of books and reading together. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and secure with the childminder. They settle quickly on arrival as the childminder makes them feel welcome and takes an interest in what they have been doing that day. Young children show excitement when older children arrive. The childminder is a good role model and treats children with kindness and respect. Children behave well and the childminder promotes this using reward charts and encouraging the children in the simple house rules. This helps children develop an understanding of right from wrong.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides children with individual time to help them in their learning and development. She makes observations of the children and uses these along with photographs and samples of their work to show parents the progress they have been making. Although she has not yet linked the observations to the different areas of learning to enable her to fully identify any gaps in their learning. The childminder spends her time talking and playing with the children helping them to learn. She encourages them in their conversation and language skills. She responds to the sounds and gestures of younger children and repeats what they say using the correct language and grammar. As children play with different instruments, she encourages them to make soft and loud noises as they bang the drums. The childminder beats out a simple rhythm, which children copy and show delight as they are praised for their efforts. Children enjoy playing with shape

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and outcomes for children

sorters trying to fit the different shapes into the holes. As the childminder sees some of these are a little difficult for younger children, she provides different shapes for them, which help them achieve the task. Older children enjoy completing number puzzles. The childminder encourages their number recognition as she asks them the individual numbers as they put them in their place. She also encourages them to find the numbers, which represent their age and children tell her they had this number on their birthday cake.

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and outcomes for children

Children have daily opportunities to be outdoors in the fresh air. In the local park the childminder and children have marked out an exercise trail they do each time they visit the park. They have bug boxes and magnify glasses to help the study the insects they find. They plant and grow vegetables and fruits in the garden and are encouraged to eat healthily. All this develops children understanding of a healthy lifestyle. Children develop an understanding of issues relating to safety. They go for long walks and learn about road safety, water and stranger danger safety. In the home, they learn how to evacuate the premises in the event of an emergency. Children develop useful skills for the future. They develop independence in their own care needs and take part in lots of activities and experiences that supports their learning. Children learn about recycling and confidently inform visitors which items go in the different bags. Children have their own coat pegs, drawers to store

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and outcomes for children

their individual items, towels and face cloths. This helps them feel a sense of belonging in the childminder's home. 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: 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 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) 22/06/2012

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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 for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 22/06/2012

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