Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 11/11/2014 04/02/2009

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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 builds on the children's interests as they play and provides additional resources to maintain their attention levels. As a result, children are busy and engaged in their activities.  Children are contented and demonstrate secure bonds with the childminder. This promotes their emotional development.  The childminder understands her role and responsibility to protect children and the action to take if she is concerned about a child's welfare. As a result, children are safeguarded.  The childminder works in partnership with parents to share information regarding children's care needs in a timely fashion. This means that children's welfare is promoted.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not consistently gather sufficient information from parents on what their children already know and can do when they first attend, to support her in planning optimal experiences from the start.  The childminder does not always make the most of all opportunities to extend children's play and learning through modelling language and offering new words and ideas.

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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 and garden used for childminding.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records, planning documentation, evidence of suitability of household members and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents, as recorded in written questionnaires.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector reviewed the provider's self-evaluation form as provided electronically to the inspector.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2000 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her child and adult child, in a house, in Lower Stondon, Bedfordshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has a dog and a tortoise as pets. The childminder takes children to and collects them from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently three children on roll, of whom two are in the early years age group. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round, from 7.30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays.

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

 gather information from parents with regard to what their children already know and can do when they start attending the setting

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

 extend children's learning opportunities by more consistently modelling language and offering new words and ideas.

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who attend

The childminder has a good understanding of how young children learn. She follows their interests well and provides additional activities and resources to support their development. As a result, children demonstrate good levels of involvement and are eager to learn. The childminder carries out regular observations of children's development. She uses this information to identify children's next steps in learning and to plan further activities that are appropriate for their stage of development. As a result, children make good progress.

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who attend

Children show good levels of enthusiasm as they explore the indoor and outdoor environments. They choose freely from a good range of age-appropriate toys and resources. This promotes their independence and enables children to take the lead in their own learning. The childminder provides them with a range of toy instruments, so that they can experiment with them and find out the sounds that they make. She shows children how to blow into the toy flute and they observe and copy her actions, clearly pleased when they hear the resulting sound. The childminder provides a variety of sensory materials for children to explore, such as dried leaves and shredded paper. Although, she allows children to explore the materials freely, she does not always fully extend their learning by modelling language and offering new words and ideas. The childminder regularly reads stories and shares books with the children. This promotes their language

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who attend

development and the beginnings of literacy. Children benefit from fresh air and exercise as the childminder regularly takes them to local woods and parks to learn about the natural world. The childminder uses a good range of outdoor resources to promote children's all- round physical development, such as a trampoline, wheeled toys, balls and ride-on toys.

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who attend

When children start attending the childminder's setting, parents provide information about their child's interests and their likes and dislikes. However, there is scope at this time to include parents' observations of their child's stage of development, so that activities can be even more closely matched to children's needs from the very start. The childminder provides parents with daily updates as to what the children have been doing during the day. This keeps parents informed about their child's learning, so that they can support this further at home.

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

The childminder has a good understanding of the importance of young children being able to form close emotional attachments. She ensures that she gives children the contact and cuddles that they need, in order to bond with her. As a result, children are confident in her presence and turn to her for comfort, when needed. They snuggle into her to have a story read and bring her their toys, so that she can join in their play. The childminder ensures that children's interest levels are maintained by frequently changing resources and providing additional activities. This promotes their well-being as they remain motivated and enthusiastic. The childminder reminds children to share and take turns and she praises children when they do so. Consequently, children's behaviour is good and they are learning the personal and social skills that prepare them for later transitions into nursery or school.

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

The childminder completes a daily communication book, which tells parents what their child has eaten, how long they have slept and any activities they have taken part in. Parents are also invited to communicate via the book or verbally with the childminder. This means that information regarding children's care needs can be shared in a timely fashion. The childminder promotes children's understanding of the importance of a healthy diet by displaying the meal menu and encouraging them to make healthy choices about what they eat. She ensures that children have access to their drinks at all times, so that they can keep themselves hydrated. The childminder has good hygiene practices in place. This includes giving each child their own named towel and flannel to reduce the risk of cross- infection when they wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. This promotes children's good health.

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

The childminder maintains a safe environment for the children and there are good safety practices in place. Outer doors and gates are locked, so that no unauthorised person can enter the home. The childminder puts safety gates in place, so that younger children do not enter the kitchen or go upstairs unaccompanied. The childminder carries out regular evacuation practices with the children, so that they know what to do in the event of an emergency. Children benefit from daily fresh air and exercise as they play in the garden and take planned walks to the local woods and parks. The childminder promotes children's independence by encouraging them to eat and drink independently at mealtimes. This is a good preparation for nursery and school.

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provision

The childminder undertakes regular safeguarding training and has an effective understanding of her role and responsibilities to meet the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has a secure understanding of what would alert her to any concerns about children in her care. The childminder is aware of the procedures to follow to ensure all children are protected from harm. She also understands the procedures to follow in the event of an allegation being made against herself or a member of her family. All adults living in the childminder's home have been checked to ensure they are suitable to be in contact with children. The childminder has completed food preparation and hygiene training. She has also completed first-aid training and completes detailed written records of any accidents and incidents. As a result, children's health and safety are promoted.

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provision

The childminder carries out regular risk assessments on her home and when she takes children on outings. This minimises any potential hazards to children and means that they can play in safety. The childminder maintains records of the children, who attend, as well as contact details for relevant family members. She monitors what children are learning. The childminder uses this information to complete progress records for each child, which shows where they are meeting age-related expectations. As a result, children's strengths and areas for development can be quickly identified.

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provision

The childminder works well with parents. Policies and procedures are shared with parents to ensure that they are aware of information regarding her practice and to encourage their involvement. She encourages regular feedback in the form of written questionnaires and uses this information to evaluate her work. Parental feedback is very positive and demonstrates the appreciation that parents hold for the childminder's service. The childminder works closely with other agencies and professionals, including health visitors, child development centre staff and social workers. Consequently, information regarding children with special educational needs and/or disabilities is shared appropriately and support is provided.

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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. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of 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

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 219836 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 871257 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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