Childminder in Central Bedfordshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 16/12/2014 29/06/2012

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 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's effective teaching skills support children to learn successfully. As a result, children make good progress in their learning.  Effective partnerships with parents enable the childminder to have all important information on children's needs; this helps her to support their all-round development and welfare needs.  The childminder demonstrates a good knowledge and understanding of all safeguarding procedures. This enables her to promote children's well-being effectively.  Children are happy, self-assured and confident. They benefit from a motivated childminder who knows the children well and provides good care and education.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The childminder does not always support children's learning to its optimum through effective sharing of children's development information with other early years settings they attend.  There are fewer resources made from natural materials available, such as wooden blocks and different materials, for the younger children to explore.

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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 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 the childminder and household members, and a range of other documentation, including the safeguarding procedure.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents, as recorded in written documents, and of the childminder's self-evaluation form.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the childminder engaging in activities with the children and discussed with her the learning that was taking place.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2012 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and two children in a house in Biggleswade. The whole of the ground floor, two bedrooms on the first floor and the rear garden are used for childminding. The family has a guinea pig as a pet. The childminder attends local toddler groups and soft play areas. She visits the shops and local parks on a regular basis. She takes children to and collects children from the local schools and nurseries. There are currently nine children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. She is registered to care for children overnight and operates all year round from Monday to Friday and occasional weekends, except bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder 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:

 encourage more effective partnership working with other early years settings the children attend, in order to share information on children's development and use this information to maximise children's already good learning

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

 enable younger children to explore a wider range of textures by, for example, providing toys and other resources made from natural materials, such as wood.

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who attend

The childminder has a good knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children have access to a generally good variety of toys and resources that cover all seven areas of learning in both the indoor and outdoor environments. The childminder ensures the resources and activities on offer reflect the stages of development and interests of all children that attend. For example, she provides a range of early technology toys for the children to explore. They enjoy pressing buttons and watching what happens and are eager to explore further. However, there are limited resources available made from natural materials, such as wooden blocks and different textiles, for the younger children to investigate. The childminder promotes children's mathematical development as she encourages children to count the beads on a frame. Regular activities, such as baking, enable the children to weigh and measure ingredients.

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who attend

Therefore, children's mathematical development is good, as they engage in activities which are fun and which effectively challenge them, and this supports their readiness for school.

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who attend

The childminder's use of effective questions enables the children to engage in sustained conversations. For example, as the older children make calendars, they chat with the childminder and she gives them her full attention. Children talk about special days through the year and they mark these on their calendar. The children demonstrate a high level of language and communication skills and they effectively show their understanding of festivals through the year. Furthermore, the childminder supports the younger children's communication skills through sharing stories and singing with them. The childminder promotes children's literacy development as she encourages them to write for a purpose, by writing birthdays on their calendars. Younger children have opportunities to make marks as they explore paint with their hands and begin to use tools, such as brushes. These good experiences the childminder provides are successful in enabling children to

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who attend

develop the skills they need for future learning.

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who attend

The childminder undertakes effective observations of children's learning. This means she is able to closely monitor every child's ongoing development; this includes the mandatory progress check for children aged between two and three years. The childminder identifies next steps in children's learning and her plans for future learning reflect children's interests. She shares her observations and assessments with parents and encourages them to continue their child's learning at home. The information parents provide aids the childminder in understanding what each child can do. Therefore, she promotes a collaborative and consistent approach with parents to the children's learning and development.

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

Children are happy and enjoy their time with the childminder. Their personal, social and emotional development is given priority. The childminder is a good role model, showing respect for the children and supporting them well. Consequently, children's behaviour is good and they show the childminder respect as they use good manners. Children enjoy the security of routines and the flexibility to choose where and with what they want to play. For example, younger children sleep when they need to; this enables them to feel calm and secure. Important information on children's care is shared well between parents and the childminder through daily conversations and diaries. This aids the childminder in understanding each child's individual care needs. As a result, children demonstrate a strong attachment to her and experience a positive sense of security in her home. Therefore, children are emotionally well prepared when the time comes to move to pre-

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

The childminder promotes children's healthy lifestyles well. Children are independent with their own personal care routines. They know they must wash their hands after going to the toilet and they find their personal towel for hand drying. Consequently, children are learning how to keep themselves healthy by dealing with their own hygiene needs. Children enjoy a range of healthy options at snack and meal times; this is because the childminder encourages parents to bring healthy packed lunches and snacks. This provision of a well-balanced and nutritional diet, that meets their individual needs, helps children to grow and thrive.

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

Children benefit from fresh air and exercise as the childminder uses the outdoors to enhance the children's enjoyment of the natural environment. Children enjoy opportunities to take part in activities in the local park and on walks round the local nature reserve. These opportunities enable the children to develop their physical skills and to understand about taking risks while playing in a safe environment. The childminder uses the garden well to promote children's learning outdoors, as for example, she provides a sand tray and toys for children to ride on. Furthermore, she provides a growing area to enable the children to sow seeds and grow vegetables. Consequently, children develop a good understanding of how food grows and this effectively promotes their understanding of the world.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She implements policies and procedures, which underpin the safe and efficient operation of her service and help to ensure the well-being of children. The childminder shares these with parents so that they understand her responsibilities. She has a clear understanding of safeguarding issues and is aware of the procedures to follow if she has any concerns about a child. The childminder has a current paediatric first-aid qualification so she is able to give suitable treatment in a medical emergency. The childminder's use of thorough risk assessments and her good understanding of safety, including the use of information technology, help to ensure that children are safe and secure.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates a commitment to maintain the already good standards of care and education she provides for the children. Self-evaluation is good because the childminder is positive about developing her practice. She works closely with other local childminders and sources relevant training events to develop her understanding of good quality childcare. In addition, the childminder has successfully addressed the recommendations raised at the last inspection. This demonstrates a positive attitude towards continuous improvement and promotes opportunities and experiences for all children who attend her setting. The childminder completes observations effectively and monitors her assessments of children and the educational programme. As a result, she identifies gaps in learning and ensures she effectively addresses them.

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provision

The childminder encourages positive partnerships with parents and is developing partnership working with other early years providers. The two-way flow of information keeps everyone regularly updated about the child's changing care needs. However, there are fewer opportunities for sharing of information on children's progress and development with other early years settings they attend. Therefore, the childminder does not always support children's learning to its optimum. Parents speak positively about how the childminder cares for their children. They feel they are given good support as she works with them to develop the children's skills. The childminder is not currently caring for any children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she is aware of the importance of working with parents and other professionals to make sure the needs of all children are met appropriately.

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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 EY441222 Local authority Central Bedfordshire Inspection number 949855 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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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

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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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