Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY423883 Inspection date 12/06/2012 Inspector Susan Parker

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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 is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom two may be in the early years age group. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently caring for one child in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her partner and one child aged four years in Shillington, Hertfordshire. The whole of property is available to use for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder walks or drives to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family have no pets. The childminder has systems in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. She 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 make good progress in most areas of their learning and development. The childminder has effective systems in place to promote children's welfare and safety through good partnerships with parents and other settings that children attend. She is pro-active in gaining information and advice to meet any additional needs that children have. Effective self-evaluation enables the childminder to continue to make improvements and adapt her provision to meet the changing needs of children and their families. Records and documentation support most areas of the childminder's good practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems to support children's competence in developing their communication skills  carry out regular evacuation drills and record details in a fire log book of any problems encountered and how they were resolved.

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the early years provision

The childminder has the necessary information to be able to take prompt action in order to protect children. Robust policies and procedures are shared with parents and the childminder demonstrates a secure understanding of her responsibility to record and refer any concerns she may have about children's safety or welfare. The childminder uses appropriate safety equipment, such as stair gates and door stops, to enable children to explore the areas of the home safely. Risk assessments This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are carried out for all areas of the home and for all trips and outings. These checks are recorded and amended as required to meet the changing needs of the children. The childminder has a written emergency evacuation procedure, however, children's safety cannot be fully assured as she has not practised this with the children or recorded the drills appropriately in a fire log book.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides good quality toys, resources and equipment, which are well used to support children's learning. The childminder has a very good understanding of each child's interests, abilities and background. She is effective in using this information to plan and provide a wide variety of activities and outings to support children's learning and development. Daily visits to toddler groups, childminder groups or trips to petting farms provide children with hands on experiences, which promote their understanding of their local community and the world around them.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very committed to researching and gaining advice about any disabilities or medical conditions, which affect children's development. She shares information and any advice she has gained with parents in order to promote children's good progress. This results in very good partnership working, which supports children in the setting and in their own homes. She evaluates her setting through discussions with parents and by observing the children's reactions to the activities and routines she provides. This ensures that any issues are highlighted and addressed early so she can adapt her practice to successfully meet the needs of the children and their families.

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the early years provision

The childminder has established good partnerships with the parents and other early years professionals. She values all feedback and uses the information to continually make improvements. She communicates well with parents through daily conversations, a diary and sharing of children's learning journeys. The childminder ensures that all children are fully included within the setting. Her good knowledge of each child's background, interests and capabilities enables her to provide exciting activities, games and to access additional support to close any identified achievement gaps.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has very good systems in place to support children's good progression towards the early learning goals, carefully planning activities, which provide challenges for children in order for them to achieve the next steps in their learning and development. Observations and assessments of the children are recorded in detail in their learning journeys, which are shared with parents. Children's next steps for each of the areas of learning are clearly highlighted, which enables them to make very good progression towards the early learning goals.

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and outcomes for children

Children are busy and involved in a well-planned selection of age appropriate activities based on their interests. Children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities benefit from the childminder's motivation to ensure that they make This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 good progress. For example, activities which promote children's physical skills and encourage them to balance and begin to walk, are well supported with sturdy walkers and push along toys, which help develop their muscles and co-ordination.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They display their feelings of safety and security in the setting. Sometimes shy with new people, they look to the childminder for comfort and reassurance. Their regular visits to different toddler groups and childminding groups enable them to meet and interact with a wide variety of different children and adults, thus giving them ample opportunities to form friendships and learn about the similarities between themselves and the wider community. They are beginning to learn about adopting healthy lifestyles and eating healthily as the childminder acts as a good role model. Young children copy the childminder and are seen wiping the changing mat, as part of their play, which shows that they are learning good habits.

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and outcomes for children

Snacks and meals are provided by the parents. The childminder advises the parents on weaning children, which ensures that parents provide suitable meals that are healthy and appropriate to the children's age and ability to chew and swallow. Children's behaviour is very good, they display age appropriate levels of acceptable behaviour. The childminder is very calm and chatty with the children, she is beginning to develop systems to encourage children's language development. However, children who have medical conditions, which prevent them from being able to form recognisable words, are not as effectively supported in their communication and therefore their progress is slower. 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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