Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY441222 Inspection date 29/06/2012 Inspector Susan Ennis

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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 2012. She lives with her partner and two children aged nine and 11 years in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has four guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age range and is currently minding one child in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years and this provision is registered on 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming and generally safe environment for the children in her care. Children make sound progress in their learning and development. The childminder flexibly plans appropriate activities that mostly meet their individual needs. She builds positive relationships with the parents to provide a consistency of care. The childminder has started to evaluate her practice and demonstrates a growing awareness of the practice required to promote the outcomes for children in the early years.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of observations and assessments to demonstrate children's starting points, how their next steps of development are incorporated into planning and their overall progress towards the early learning goals  update the record of risk assessment to include any assessments of risks for outings and ensure the correct positioning of the fire blanket  develop the range of activities and resources to increase children's understanding of the wider world  develop further the use of reflective practise to highlight strengths and areas for improvement in practice.

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the early years provision

The majority of the policies and procedures in place ensure that children are protected. For example, the childminder is aware of the signs of abuse and has the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 contact numbers for reporting concerns should they arise. She also ensures that anyone coming into contact with the children is suitable to do so. Children's welfare is sufficiently protected because the childminder takes most steps to minimise the hazards. Daily safety checks are carried out as well as regular risk assessments of the areas used by the children. However, the risk assessments for outings are not always included in the written records and, as a result, do not formally identify the associated risks for all outings or allow them to be shared and regularly reviewed. Also, the fire blanket is not correctly positioned, potentially compromising children's safety in an emergency situation.

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the early years provision

The childminder builds trusting relationships with parents. She updates them about their children's welfare through use of verbal interaction and the sharing of the children's learning journals and scrapbooks. Parents are encouraged to share any concerns they may have and are made aware of the childminder's policies and procedures at the start of the placement. The childminder also works with other early years settings attended by the children. She shares relevant information with them and ensures a continuity of care and progress for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a positive understanding of anti-discriminatory practice, enabling her to provide a service which is inclusive for all children and families. Most aspects of the children's individual development are soundly promoted because the childminder has suitable procedures and resources in place to support their progress. For example, low-level storage encourages the children to self- select what they want to play with. The childminder is becoming more aware of her childminding practice and has started to monitor the effectiveness of her practice. However, limited ongoing self-evaluation is currently taking place and, as a result, strengths and areas for improvement are not being sufficiently highlighted to ensure consistent progress.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder offers an appropriate range of opportunities and experiences to support the children to make satisfactory progress in the areas of learning and development. She uses her knowledge to identify where the children are in their progress and is starting to use observations and assessments to plan their next steps. However, there is limited information regarding children's starting points. Also current systems do not consistently demonstrate how children's next steps are incorporated into planning or where children are in their overall development towards the early learning goals. Therefore children's individual progress is not optimally promoted.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder suitably ensures that there is a balanced range of activities to stimulate children's interests. For example, they develop their creative skills and sense of touch as they manipulate and roll out the dough whilst making biscuits. Their problem solving skills are encouraged as they work out where to put the pieces in a puzzle and their self-esteem is enhanced as they are reassured that it takes trial and error to line up one piece with another. They also demonstrate their recall skills as they discuss their recent birthday and the popular children's book This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 monster cake made by their parent. Children are clearly settled with the childminder and demonstrate this by confidently asking her to play their favourite game of snakes and ladders. They take great delight is trying and eventually beating the childminder by moving up the long snake to win the game. They are

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and outcomes for children

encouraged to use appropriate behaviour and the childminder, acting as a positive role model, helps them make the right choices. Children are gently encouraged to recognise differences and respect diversity. However, as there are only basic resources and activities currently provided, children's further understanding of the wider world is limited.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and welfare are suitably promoted as the childminder takes purposeful steps to minimise the spread of infection and develop children's understanding of healthy living. They know to wash their hands at appropriate times and sensitive comments from the childminder act as gentle reminders. They are learning about exercise and physical activity as they demonstrate their growing talent of doing press-ups and discuss their growing muscles with the childminder. Children are becoming aware of their own safety as they discuss road safety when out and about and adhere to rules within the house, such as sitting on the chair properly to prevent them from hurting themselves. 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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