Childminder, Out-of school day care in Bedford

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 24/03/2014 12/07/2012

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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

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This provision is good

 The childminder supports children's learning by working in partnership with the other settings that children attend. This gives children the opportunity to practise and reinforce their learning.  The childminder creates a warm and welcoming environment for the children. Consequently, they are confident and relaxed.  The childminder has a range of policies in place that support children's safety and well- being.  The childminder has in place good systems of communication with parents, including effective electronic means. As a result, information is shared promptly with parents.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The stages of development for early years children are not consistently considered when planning activities or monitoring children's progress.

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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 childminder's house and talked with the childminder.  The inspector viewed the areas of the premises used for childminding.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a range of documentation, which was available electronically.  The inspector took account of the views of parents, as recorded in electronic form

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2006 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. He lives in a house in Brickhill near Bedford. The two living rooms on the ground floor are used for childminding purposes. The childminder has a pet cat.

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Information about the setting

The childminder takes children to and from local schools and pre-schools. There are currently three children on roll, one of whom is in the early years age group. They attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates before and after school and during school holidays. He is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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

 take more consistent account of early years children's stages of development when planning activities and monitoring their progress.

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who attend

The childminder supports children's learning and development in partnership with their other settings. When children start attending, he gathers information from parents and from their other settings, so that he is knowledgeable about their starting points. He then plans activities that will help children practise and reinforce their previous learning. The childminder observes how children play and what they are interested in, and adapts activities to meet their needs and interests. However, there is scope to consider the early years children's stages of development when deciding upon activities for them. The childminder teaches children the early stages of mathematics by playing number games and number puzzles. He keeps a detailed record of what children do while they are with him and uses this to monitor children's progress and changing interests.

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who attend

The childminder is aware of children's interests and generally allows the children to engage in activities of their choice. This is appropriate as children are with him for relatively short periods of time before and after school. As a result, they can relax and have an enjoyable time at the start and end of their school day. Children sometimes bring their own toys from home and there is also a selection of resources that they can access independently. Children have opportunities to listen to music and join in with the songs. They play number games and puzzles with the childminder. This supports their emerging mathematical development. They write, draw and colour, practising their skills in using pens and pencils, as well as developing their creative skills. The childminder ensures that children's routines are managed in good time to leave for school in the morning. He takes the children to the park on their way back from school, so that they have opportunities to

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who attend

The childminder keeps a detailed daily diary of what the children have been doing and learning. This is available electronically to parents, who can then access the information at a time that is suitable and convenient for them. Parents can then contribute to this diary or reply directly to the childminder. This means that there is prompt, effective communication between the childminder and parents. The childminder provides opportunities for children to develop their physical, communication and social skills, preparing them for school.

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

The childminder welcomes children into his home and demonstrates warm, supportive relationships with them. Children are clearly relaxed and confident in his presence. The childminder is aware that children may need a little time to settle in at the start of the day and provides a supportive routine with children's favourite activities. Parents pass on relevant information at the start of each day, including information that may need to be shared with the children's other settings. This ensures that everyone involved in the children's care is aware of any issues that might affect their well-being. Children are calm, polite and well behaved in the childminder's home, with older children demonstrating kindness and care towards the younger ones.

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

There is a small selection of toys available for younger children to play with. Older children often bring their own resources to enjoy. Children know how to find the resources they want to play with and are generally busy and engaged. They are encouraged to look after their environment and to tidy up after themselves. The childminder keeps the room as clutter-free as possible, so that children can move about safely. The childminder promotes healthy eating by offering healthy snacks and breakfasts. He ensures that children have daily opportunities to visit the park and improve their physical development. This promotes an awareness of the benefits of exercise. Children learn the importance of hygiene practices through washing their hands before and after eating and through brushing their teeth after breakfast.

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

The childminder is aware of children's emotional needs when they experience a change. He puts in place regular routines so that children feel secure. He explains what is going to happen next so that children know what to expect. This increases their confidence. He is aware that children need to learn the skills of independence and social interaction in order to be ready for school.

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provision

The childminder has a range of written policies in place, including safeguarding and child protection policies. All policies are shared with parents when children start attending the setting. The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms that might give him concern with regard to a child's welfare. He also understands and documents the steps he would take in the event of a concern. The childminder carries out visual risk assessments of his home to ensure there is nothing that would compromise children's safety. If an accident or incident happens while the children are in his care, he uses electronic means to communicate immediately with parents. He also uses these to communicate with parents regarding the children's daily routines and activities.

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provision

The childminder has attended various training courses which have helped him to improve his provision. This includes training on completing observations and planning activities for children in the early years. However, there is scope to further develop the monitoring of early years children's progress so that their stages of development can be more clearly identified and built upon. The childminder has begun to use the daily diary as a means to reflect on children's progress and to informally evaluate his service.

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provision

The childminder works effectively with the other settings that children attend. He finds out what the children are learning in their schools and nurseries and then plans activities to support that learning. This gives children the opportunity to practise and reinforce the skills and concepts that they are learning. The childminder has good partnerships with parents. Feedback from parents, which is available via the childminder's website, shows their appreciation of the service that he provides.

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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 EY333998 Local authority Bedford Borough Inspection number 905306 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 3

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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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