Childminder in Bedford

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 18/11/2013 23/11/2011

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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 provides a wealth of creative and artistic activities for children to express themselves and their ideas. This maintains children's interest for significant periods of time given their young age.  Teaching is good because the childminder has a good understanding of children's development meaning that she successfully plans for their next steps in learning.  Children gain a good insight into where food comes from as they grow fruit and vegetables, which they use in cooking activities.  The childminder puts into place secure methods for protecting children because she follows her well-informed procedures at all times.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to encourage children to help tidy up, in order to maintain a clear and uncluttered space for play.  The childminder does not fully utilise training opportunities to develop her existing good knowledge and skills even further.

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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

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged 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 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  scheduled 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 observed activities in the rooms where children play.  The inspector had discussions with the childminder and children.  The inspector discussed a children's learning activity with the childminder.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector sampled a range of documentation, including children's records, safeguarding procedures and self-evaluation information.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and child aged 15 years in the village of Radwell, Bedfordshire. The family has three pet dogs, three guinea pigs and one rabbit. The whole of the ground floor and the bathroom on the first floor of the property are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. There are currently 12 children attending, two of whom are within the early years age range, who attends on a part-time basis. The school-aged children attend before and after school and during school holidays on a fully flexible basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre- schools. She takes children to the library and to the park. The childminder provides care from 7.30am until 6.30pm, Monday to Friday, during term time and some school holidays.

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

 involve children in routines for tidying up to ensure that they become aware of how to maintain a safe and clutter free space to play

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

 develop an ongoing plan for professional development to refresh and deepen already good existing knowledge.

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who attend

The childminder provides a relaxed and welcoming environment where children grow in confidence. They make many choices about what to play with and where to play. Organisation of toys and equipment means children can reach the things that interest them easily. However, sometimes children's exuberance and keenness to explore the toys on offer mean that the areas where they play become cluttered. There is scope to increase children's awareness of how to maintain an orderly and safe environment by encouraging them to tidy up as part of their daily routine. The childminder uses her interest in arts and crafts to provide a wide range of interesting and creative learning experiences for children. Children express their ideas and gain in sensory learning because the childminder teaches them pottery and felting. These engaging activities ensure that children sustain interest and excitement for long periods of time given their young ages.

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who attend

Children develop communication and language through talking with the childminder. She skilfully adapts her speech patterns to ensure that children hear clear and descriptive language, which they copy. Young children gain an awareness of the name of objects as the childminder finds toys which ignite their interests. They point out the toys tractors with excitement naming them and repeating the word 'tractor' when they find more hidden amongst the toys. Children develop the small muscles in their hands as they push the tractors and cars across the floor and put small figures inside. Children use their developing skills to hold pens and pencils with confidence as they draw and colour. They develop their larger muscles through playing in the garden and the local park. Inside the home they use their imagination to climb inside storage boxes and the childminder makes noises and pushes them along pretending it is a boat. This increases children's enjoyment

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who attend

Children gain the skills they need to be successful in their future learning because the childminder teaches them to be curious and to act upon what interests them. For example, children recognise that the telephone is ringing and ask the childminder if they can talk. The childminder calls her husband, allowing children to follow their ideas as they talk about things that are important to them, such as their birthday. Children learn about technology as they press the buttons and hold the telephone to their ear. She shows children the numbers on the keypad, further encouraging their mathematical development through everyday activities and counting toys.

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who attend

The childminder forms very close relationships with parents and shares and gathers information on a daily basis. She has a good understanding about how children develop and uses this to monitor their progress and provide them with activities that challenge them. This means that children make leaps in their learning and development. The childminder observes children during their play and recognises when they exceed expectations. She shares this with parents, who are able to continue children's learning at home. The childminder forms close relationships with the local pre-school and school where children attend. This enables her to discuss planning of activities, in order to complement children's learning well.

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

Children settle well into the childminder's care because of the close relationships she builds with families. Before children start in her care she visits them at home. This helps children to become familiar with her and feel comfortable in her company. The childminder continues to foster warm and welcoming partnerships with parents as they sometimes stay at the childminder's house to eat dinner with their children. The childminder attends children's special events meaning that parents view her as an extension of their family. This is the reason why children display such high levels of confidence and emotional security and seek the childminder for comfort and affection.

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

The childminder encourages children to learn about themselves and their bodies, fostering their sense of identity and personal safety. She encourages them to play safely reminding them that standing on chairs is not safe as they could fall. Children become independent as the childminder encourages them to make choices and carry out small tasks. For example, children open the cage where the pet dogs sleep and let them out into the garden to play. They love this sense of responsibility and their interactions with the animals. Children play very well together because the childminder supports them to understand about feelings. Young children show their attachment to each other by embracing frequently. Children know what to expect throughout the day as the childminder prepares them for changes in their routine by giving them advance warning.

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

Children each follow their own routine and the childminder discusses their sleep and eating patterns with parents. Children dictate the times they eat and sleep meaning they become aware of their own needs. They decide what they would like to eat for snack and the childminder develops their social skills, by sitting with them as they eat. Children understand where food comes from because they grow fruit and vegetables in their allotment. They learn about how the produce grows as they measure rain fall and harvest their foods. They use the fruit to make pies and share the vegetables with their families. This means children gain a good understanding about healthy eating. Children go for regular walks around the village as they understand that exercise is part of their normal routine. The childminder reminds children about good hygiene by throwing away any food which drops on to the floor and by ensuring children wash their hands before they eat.

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provision

The childminder has thorough policies and procedures in place for safeguarding children. These underpin her practice and she uses them effectively. The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms which might cause her concern about children's welfare and follows very clear lines of reporting for any such concerns. The childminder supervises children closely and reviews the areas where children play, changing around equipment to ensure that children are visible when playing freely in the garden. The childminder maintains regular fire evacuation practice and assesses all areas for any possible risks to children. She puts measures into place, such as stair gates to ensure children are kept away from areas which might be unsafe.

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provision

The childminder has an awareness of how to complete the 'progress check at the age of two' for children. She discusses this with parents and agrees a suitable time to complete it. The childminder is able to confidently discuss children's development and the activities she provides to extend their learning. She reviews the toys she offers to ensure they meet children's developing skills and abilities. This means that she is able to provide well for children's learning. Together with parents' observations, she develops a clear picture of what children can do and what they need to learn next. The childminder draws upon her many years of experience working with children to know how to meet their needs. She reads information available online and discusses changing practice with the local pre- school and school. There is scope to deepen and extend upon this by putting into place a training plan to undertake professional development opportunities. The childminder

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provision

currently holds a valid first aid certificate, however, for a period of four months during 2013, her qualification lapsed. The risks to children's health during this time were minimised as the childminder had previous training in first aid and experience of dealing with minor accidents.

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provision

The childminder has addressed recommendations from the previous inspection successfully. She has ambitious plans for improvement, which are well-thought-out for the benefit of children. She considers the impact of putting some of her plans into place and is making arrangements to register her husband as a childminder. This is to ensure that children have continuity of care and that parents are able to continue to have the flexible and accessible care they need. The childminder listens to parents' views and uses these to shape the care she provides. Older children contribute their ideas and the childminder includes these into her plans for the future. For example, the childminder plans to develop the garden area for greater use in the winter months as children enjoy playing outdoors. The childminder understands the benefits for close working with others who provide care for children and utilises staff's knowledge to develop her own care. She is fully aware of

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provision

the importance of working alongside other agencies should children need extra support.

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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 EY225471 Local authority Bedford Borough Inspection number 941838 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 12

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: 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, which are usually the childminder’s 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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