Childminder in Milton Keynes

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 08/02/2013 29/09/2008

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 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

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This provision is good

 The childminder has a good understanding of how to support children's learning and uses observation and assessment to move children forward in their development.  Children take a great deal of pleasure in caring for family pets and learn about how to take responsibility and be caring. This supports their personal, emotional and social development well.  The childminder enhances children's learning and development by taking them to different local activities and clubs outside of the home.  The childminder undertakes professional development to support her role. Consequently, she is up-to-date with her knowledge and skills and uses this to further improve quality of care for children.  The childminder has a clear understanding of her responsibility to safeguard children's welfare and successfully promotes their safety.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Children are not encouraged to tidy away toys when they have finished playing. This means that at times the room where they play is cluttered.  The childminder does not always encourage independence by supporting children to get themselves a tissue to wipe their nose or washing their hands for themselves.

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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.

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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.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector had discussions with the childminder at appropriate time throughout the inspection.  Children's development files were viewed to track their progress.  The inspector observed children at play with the childminder.  The inspector took consideration of written feedback left by parents.

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Information about the setting

The childminder registered in 2008 on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and their two children in Old Wolverton, Milton Keynes. The childminder lives close to local shops, pre- schools, and schools. The childminder uses the ground floor of the house for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has two small dogs, chickens and a hamster as pets. There are currently eight children on roll, who attend for different periods of time. There are three children in the early years age group and five older children who attend after school and occasionally in school holidays. The childminder has an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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

 support children to help maintain a visually calm and orderly environment by encouraging them to tidy away toys when they have finished playing

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

 establish routines that enable children to look after their own personal needs such as, providing tissues within easy reach and helping young children to wash hands for themselves.

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who attend

The childminder plans an interesting range of activities for children to enjoy. For example, children enjoy playing with dry pasta and excitedly stand on it to hear the crunching noise it makes under foot. Children show their great interest in the activities the childminder provides as they talk about photographs of chicks hatching from eggs. Children gain a great deal from their interactions with the childminder's pets. They feed chickens raisins from their open hands and collect freshly laid eggs. The childminder uses the eggs for cooking activities. This helps children not only understand about life cycles and nature, but also supports them to be caring and responsible.

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who attend

The childminder supports children to develop their language and communication skills by making story times interactive. As the childminder reads a book, children press noisy toys and make the sounds of animals in the story. They listen keenly and predict what will happen next. Children listen for a significant period of time relative to their age. This good attention will support children as they move forward in their learning and their eventual entry into school. Children talk to each other and make their needs known to the childminder readily. This helps them to settle and feel confident.

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who attend

Children engage in a wide range of clubs and activities that support their learning and development outside of the childminder's home. For example, dance and football sessions enhance children's physical development. Children enjoy musical sessions to support their expressive and creative development. Children learn how to be social and play together with others through their attendance at local toddler groups. When children return to the childminder's home, they choose activities such as, playing with dough and drawing. Children generally make good use of the resources. However, the childminder does not always encourage children to tidy away toys when they finish playing. As a result, the room can become cluttered and limits children's ability to move around freely.

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who attend

Parents share in their children's learning because the childminder uses a daily progress book to record children's activities. Parents share their observations of children's interests with the childminder who includes them in her plans. When children have a special toy they enjoy playing with at home, the childminder encourages them to bring it with them. This helps children to experience continuity in their care and parents can effectively support children's learning at home. The childminder uses observation and assessment to monitor children's progress. This is successful in identifying children's stage of development and moving them forward in their learning. As a result, children are progressing well.

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

Children are secure in the care of the childminder. They explore activities and return to her when they need reassurance, such as, when they encounter someone unfamiliar. The childminder supports children through praise and they are confident and keen to engage. Children experience smooth transitions between home and the childminder's care because she works closely with parents. Children talk about other children who are not present and are excited at their arrival. They are a close group and enjoy each other's company. This leads to them feeling settled and calm.

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

Children learn about keeping healthy because the childminder instils the importance of good hygiene. When children touch the pets they wash their hands afterwards. However, the childminder occasionally does this automatically for young children instead of allowing them to attempt to wash their hands for themselves. Similarly, at times she does not provide tissues in easy reach for children to use. This sometimes limits children's independence in managing their own personal care. Children have plenty of fresh air and exercise and healthy eating is actively encouraged.

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

The childminder is aware of her influence upon children and consequently, is a good role model. She talks to children calmly and gives consistent boundaries. This helps children to behave well and supports their feeling of safety in the childminder's care. The childminder teaches children about risks outside of the home through discussion and practise of road safety. Children explain how they need to hold hands and stop when approaching a road. This means they are active in managing some aspects of risk for themselves.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding about safeguarding issues and is aware of her duty to report any concerns about a child's well-being and is familiar with the agencies she would need to work with. The childminder takes action to reduce any likely hazards to children in the home. She is also aware of ratio requirements and makes sure that she safeguards children's welfare by adhering to these, caring only for the number of children permitted, at any one time.

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provision

Self-evaluation is used to help the childminder to reflect upon the quality of care she provides. She seeks the opinions and views of parents through regular questionnaires. Children share their ideas through looking at photographs and talking about what they enjoy and why. Attendance at local groups to support her work enables the childminder to share good practice with others. This, along with successfully responding to the recommendations raised at the previous inspection, demonstrates the childminder's good capacity to further improve the quality of care she provides.

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provision

Undertaking further training and achieving a relevant level 3 qualification enables the childminder to remain up-to-date in her knowledge and skills. For example, the childminder knows how she will implement the progress check at age two and confidently discusses this with parents. The childminder has a good understanding of the curriculum and plans effectively to meet children's needs. She offers stimulating activities because she understands how these enhance children's learning.

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provision

The childminder drives partnership working and is pro-active in working with others who share the care of the children. She shares information and incorporates children's prior learning into her own activities. For example, when children begin to become familiar with letters, she purchases magnetic letters to help children spell their name. The childminder works with other professionals at local children's centres and this helps her to consider new approaches and initiatives which benefit children.

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provision

Parents are confident in the childminder's ability to meet their children's needs. They discuss children's enjoyment in attending her care and their gratitude for the concern she shows. The childminder values parents and carers and seeks ways to strengthen the relationships further. This enhances children's sense of security in her care.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY371557 Local authority Milton Keynes Inspection number 903367 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 8

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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.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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,

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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’.

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Type of provision

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

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