Childminder in Luton

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20/12/2012 21/03/2012

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Met How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder understands how children learn. She supports all children to make good progress through child-centred and structured activities. The resources are accessible to children and meet their individual needs and interests.  The childminder is well informed and has a good knowledge of the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage, which she translates into practice to effectively support children's welfare and learning.  Children build secure attachments with the childminder. This ensures that they are settled and happy in the provision.  The childminder is keen to develop her service. She regularly attends training to enhance her knowledge. Her plans for improvement are well targeted to strengthen provision for the children.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder provides limited opportunities for children to investigate the natural world with particular regard to observing and handling natural objects.

p.1

Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the main playroom.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector and the childminder shared conversations at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at professional development records, a range of policies and other documentation.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents from information provided verbally by the childminder.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2007 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and four children in a house in the Saints area of Luton. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. The rear garden is not registered for use by children. The childminder attends sessions at the local children's centre and visits the library and park. The childminder is able to take children to and from local schools.

p.2

Information about the setting

There are currently four children on roll; three children are in the early years age group who attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder is able to provide care on weekdays during term time and during the school holidays.

p.3

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 provide further opportunities for children to investigate the natural world through the use of a wider range of natural resources.

p.3

who attend

The main room where the children play is well organised. Toys and resources are of a good quality and developmentally well suited to the ages of the children. Children are encouraged to be independent; they can choose what they want to do and the toys and resources are easily accessible to them. The childminder ensures that children experience a wide range of activities, including making masks, sticking, gluing and painting. There are, however, limited opportunities for the children to explore the natural world and play with natural objects, such as, shells, fir cones and leaves.

p.3

who attend

The childminder is confident in her knowledge of how children learn and she gives a high priority to supporting the development of spoken language. She joins in the children's play and uses the opportunity to talk to them and to extend their vocabulary. She knows the single words that the children are able to say and is ambitious to widen their vocabularies. Children have fun playing with cars and a large garage. The childminder shows the children how to insert a car in the garage lift and press the lever, so that the car is raised to the top floor of the garage. They are encouraged to use relevant vocabulary, including the words 'lever', 'car' and 'garage'. Children have well-developed manipulative skills and persevere until they are able to press down the lever to raise the car. The childminder is careful to encourage and praise the children, which clearly contributes to their self- confidence.

p.3

who attend

Children have good access to books. As well as using the books available in the main room, they visit the local library. They enjoy looking at their favourite books with the childminder. They snuggle up close to her on the floor. The children turn the pages and point to tractors and other vehicles that they recognise. Children have fun making the noise of the tractor moving along. The childminder takes the opportunity to draw the children's attention to the different colours of the vehicles and to talk about the colours. She ensures that the children are developing their early reading skills and that this is an enjoyable experience for them. Consequently, children are helped to acquire the necessary skills and a positive disposition towards learning. The childminder is committed to ensuring that children are ready to fully benefit when starting pre-school.

p.3

who attend

The childminder sings songs and nursery rhymes. The young children engage with the music by moving to the sounds. They are familiar with some nursery rhymes and listen carefully to the songs that they recognise. The childminder teaches the children the actions to 'Head shoulders knees and toes.' They are developing their skills in listening and in paying attention and their physical skills.

p.4

who attend

The childminder knows the children well and is aware of their interests, strengths and weaknesses. She maintains close links with parents, so that information is regularly exchanged. She observes the children and is able to assess each child's stage of development and links this to the activities she provides. In this way, she is able to meet the children's needs and ensure that they make good progress in all aspects of their learning.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are well cared for and form close attachments to the childminder and her family. Children enjoy close contact with the childminder when sharing a book at story time. They enjoy looking at the pictures and discussing the content. Children are encouraged to be independent. They are able to select the toys and resources that they want to play with. The provision has a warm and friendly atmosphere.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children are developing self-care skills, the youngest children learn to use utensils to feed themselves. The childminder encourages the children to eat a healthy diet and provides fruit and water at snack time. The childminder ensures that nappies are changed in a caring and hygienic manner. Children enjoy trips to the park and are able to play with a wide range of large physical equipment at the children's centre. They get plenty of fresh air and exercise and this helps to promote their good health and well-being.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder's regular outings to the toddler group and children's centre help children to develop confidence and independence. This helps prepare them for times of transition as they move to other settings and pre-school.

p.4

provision

The childminder is committed to improving her knowledge and skills and to providing the best possible provision for children. To support this aim, she has undertaken a wide range of training to enable her to better meet of the needs of young children. She has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and of children's learning and developmental needs. A wide and varied range of resources is available to the children and they are encouraged to make choices and to be independent learners.

p.4

provision

The childminder enjoys good relationships with parents. She has put in place arrangements for the regular sharing of information with parents about their children's learning and development. Parents are provided with a daily diary, which provides information about the children's care needs and educational activities. The sharing of information makes a strong contribution to ensuring that children's needs are met. The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibility to work in partnership with other childcare providers and professionals. She attends the local children's centre and knows the staff well. This contact provides a source of professional advice and the opportunity to meet and discuss provision with other childminders.

p.5

provision

Risk assessments of the home are carried out on a regular basis. Risks are categorised as high, medium or low. This well-established documented process helps to keep the home safe and secure. A procedure is in place for the emergency evacuation of the home and the children are familiar with this. The childminder has undertaken training on safeguarding children and understands what to do should she become concerned about a child in her care. In the event of a child protection issue, she has the necessary information and telephone numbers to contact appropriate services. Therefore, children are safeguarded well. The childminder has a first aid qualification and has been suitably vetted to work with young children.

p.5

provision

The childminder is committed to offering the best possible provision for the children and she keeps her setting under review. She evaluates the quality of her provision and identifies areas for change and improvement. She has recently introduced a pattern of regular visits to the children's centre where children 'stay and play'. This provides them with the opportunity to mix with a wider group of children and experience a different range of toys and equipment. The childminder is also planning a much longer-term project to improve the garden, so that it is suitable and safe for children to use.

p.5

The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

p.5

Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

p.6

Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

p.6

Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.6

Setting details

Unique reference number EY355832 Local authority Luton Inspection number 817664 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 4 Number of children on roll 4

p.6

Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.7

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.7

Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

p.7

Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

p.7

Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.7

Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

p.7

Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.8

Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.8