Home Childcarer in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY435237 Inspection date 11/06/2012 Inspector Susan Marriott

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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 lives with her husband and two adult children in a house near to the centre of Leighton Buzzard in Bedfordshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house and an upstairs bathroom is used for childminding. The garden is not available for use by children. The family has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom, three may be in the early years age range and of whom, no more than one may be under one year old. She is currently minding two children in the early years age range and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 warmly welcomed and gently nurtured into this friendly, child-centred home, which provides a service to the local community. The childminder promotes most aspects of children's care and education in a suitably inclusive manner. Children make good progress in their learning and development. Planning, observation and assessment systems are in place and these are appropriately linked to the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder builds strong relationships with parents to underpin children's welfare. She uses effective reflective practice as a process for identifying strengths and weaknesses in her provision to support continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the organisation of the indoor resources to meet the needs of all children  develop the use of the outdoor area as a stimulating learning environment that children can access easily.

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the early years provision

Children experience a good quality of care and education in this childminding setting where the childminder speaks Italian and English. The childminder offers a secure, warm and safe environment. She has developed clearly written policies and procedures and all required written records to underpin the safe and effective management of the service. Children's welfare is promoted well because the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities relating to safeguarding children. This is supported by appropriate reference materials and a written procedure which enables her to identify any child at risk of harm and take prompt action. The childminder has attended recent safeguarding training. All relevant household members are appropriately checked and deemed suitable to be in contact with children. Basic risk assessments are in place and effective action is

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the early years provision

taken to manage or eliminate risks for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder makes satisfactory use of resources which are accessible in the living room. Her home is welcoming and totally dedicated to the children but the childminder wishes to better organise her toys, so that they can make independent choices about their play. Additionally, she has already identified that she wishes to make use of her garden, once the demolition of the adjacent property is complete. The childminder has a good understanding of anti-discrimination and this means that she provides a service, which is inclusive for all children and their families. Provision is highly personalised, with the childminder offering support tailored according to the individual needs of the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates passionate enthusiasm for her work and is well motivated to continue to make changes that improve the outcomes for children. The childminder constantly seeks the views of parents and children and reflects upon her practice to sustain continuous improvement. She has been extremely proactive in using the internet to seek the information, which she requires to maintain improvement. She demonstrates a firm commitment to attending training courses to update and extend her knowledge and skills. The childminder has good strategies in place to develop partnership working with other agencies and those sharing care of the children. She has built good partnerships with parents and carers. She keeps parents well informed of their children's activities and progress through regular discussions about daily events.

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and outcomes for children

This gentle, patient and friendly childminder has recently established her service and treats babies and children with gentle warmth and kindness. Children are well supported and all six areas of learning are covered in the daily programme. Children make good progress in their development and achieve well because the childminder sustains good quality interaction to guide learning from play. Children clearly feel safe, happy and enjoy being in the childminder's home. On arrival, the inspector finds children sleeping according to their needs in the living room and the childminder gently wakes them at an appropriate time. Children soon accept the presence of the visiting inspector and quickly continue with their self-chosen play, selecting and exploring objects from a treasure box. They clearly enjoy listening to the music and rhyme tape, which plays quietly in the background. Children develop positive attitudes and self-confidence as they respond to the

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and outcomes for children

childminder's warm encouragement to crawl after a rolling bobbin and follow her around the house. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder intuitively nurtures the development of language for communication in children. She gives lots of praise for children's efforts to become mobile and constantly talks to them, modelling language, introducing new words and promoting their communication. She repeats short phrases and asks questions constantly, so that babies take pleasure in making and listening to a wide variety of sounds. She counts the numbers of grapes on the snack tray and talks about whether the babies like the feel of play dough or not. She names the shapes of bricks as she supports children in fitting them into a shape sorter. The childminder names the colours of items and speaks reassuringly as children are startled as the family cat runs past unexpectedly. Very young children learn about the world

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and outcomes for children

around them as they explore the soil and plant and care for sunflowers.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a flexible daily routine, which includes a morning outing in the fresh air to such places as the children's centre, the canal to feed the ducks or the coffee shop for social interaction. On return to the childminding home, free play is followed by lunch and rest time. Afternoons usually include a themed activity following the theme of the moment, including looking at seasonal changes, any celebrations, such as, children's birthdays, pancake day or appropriate multi- cultural celebrations. The walk to school to meet older children is followed by a continuation of the themed activity for them and further free-play opportunities.

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and outcomes for children

Children are becoming aware of healthy lifestyles and the relevance of hygiene practices. The childminder promotes good habits from an early age, as she washes the hands of babies before snack and lunch time, while singing a song about the germs being washed away. She provides an imaginative range of home-cooked foods, introducing a wide range of tastes and textures, which the children seem to enjoy. Clear procedures and required permissions are in place, protecting the children's health and well-being. Children learn about keeping safe inside and outside of the home and their behaviour is managed very well. Planning of daily routines is appropriately flexible and responsive to the needs of children and the childminder ensures that she provides a balance of activities across the differing days of minding activity. The childminder has a monthly topic theme on which she notes other events that occur. For example, she records festivals to be celebrated,

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and outcomes for children

children's birthdays or other special events. She makes effective use of the Practice Guidance to assemble assessment information in line with the requirements. Observational comments are closely linked to the language of the Early Years Foundation Stage to actively promote children's progress. 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 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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