Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY297629 Inspection date 02/12/2008 Inspector Veronica Sharpe

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and their two children aged 10 and 13 years in the village of Cottenham, near Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and is able to care for up to three children in the early years age group. She is currently caring for 15 children aged between one and nine years, mainly on a part time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The ground floor of the home is used for childminding, with a bedroom on the first floor made available for sleeping. There are toilet facilities on the ground floor and a ramp aids access to the enclosed back garden. The childminder lives in walking distance of local schools, pre-schools and shops. The family has two cats and two hamsters. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a welcoming and generally inclusive environment where children's unique qualities are recognised and catered for and as a result they make good progress in their learning and development. Warm and secure relationships with parents are given a high priority and help to ensure children are settled and happy in the setting. The childminder is vigilant in her care of the children and helps them understand how to stay safe both in the home and when out in the community. Mealtimes are warm, social occasions where children gather together to discuss their ideas and feelings and they thrive on the healthy, home cooked food. The childminder has a clear vision of future developments and is busy completing a formal self-evaluation system to promote continuous improvement.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 increase the range of materials and resources that enable younger children to explore colour, texture, shape, form and space and encourage them to make marks, squeeze and feel media  help children become aware of, explore and question differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disability by increasing the resources that show positive images of diversity.

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provision

There is a warm and positive relationship with parents, enhanced by clear policies and procedures that ensure children's individual needs can be met well. Parents say they have total confidence in the childminder and know their children are supported effectively, both emotionally and developmentally. To help parents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understand children's routines and activities the childminder provides scrapbooks of art work and photographs of the children at play as well as regular newsletters that tell parents about forthcoming events and learning opportunities.

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provision

The childminder is committed to improving the provision and has successfully met the recommendations from the last inspection. She pro-actively seeks out opportunities for her own professional development, for instance, she has just completed her Diploma in home-based childcare. In order to develop her practice she asks parents and children for their opinions and ideas and uses these to develop her self-evaluation. As a result she has a clear vision of the future. Links with other providers are being developed, for example, the childminder has a system in place to share information with the local pre-school ready for when some of the children start in the new year.

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provision

Children play in a child friendly and very safe environment. The childminder has rigorous risk assessment procedures in place and these help to ensure all hazards are identified and minimised. The evacuation plan is practised regularly by all the children so they know how to respond in an emergency and keep themselves safe. Written risk assessments of any outings ensure children explore the wider world in safety. The childminder shows a confident understanding of her role in safeguarding children and she ensures her procedures follow guidance from the Local Safeguarding Children Board.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have independent access to a wide range of resources that support their development across all the areas of learning. A balanced range of child initiated and adult-led activities ensures children have enjoyable experiences and progress well in all the areas of learning. Resources such as puzzles and matching games help children with problem solving and they thoroughly enjoy listening to stories or sharing songs and rhymes. Outside is a well equipped garden, where children can play on swings and a slide, or have supervised sessions on a trampoline. The childminder takes advantage of spontaneous learning opportunities, such as enabling children to watch the digger as it dug up the garden for the safety surface and this helps them to be interested, active learners. Older children have access to a good range of media, such as paint, glue, dough or water, but there are fewer opportunities for babies and younger children to develop their sensory

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Written observations of what children can do help the childminder assess their interests and abilities and as a result they have fun doing things they like. Children attending the setting have their unique characteristics taken into account and the childminder takes into account their differing needs, for instance, by providing a ramp into the garden that is safe and easier for younger children to negotiate. Children enjoy attending the setting and say they particularly look forward to outdoor activities, such as playing cricket or football in the garden, but also enjoy a quiet read or the opportunity to relax with their friends. There are limited resources that show children positive images of diversity, which inhibits children's ability to learn about differences and similarities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children benefit from warm relationships with each other, the childminder and her

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children. Older children support younger ones and show caring attitudes, for instance, as they offer emotional support to those entering the local school reception class. The childminder is proud of the way children help and support each other, both she and parents say that the children who attend see each other as part of their extended family unit. This creates a sense of belonging that contributes to children's confidence and self-esteem.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder helps children develop their knowledge and understanding of healthy eating exceptionally well. They are beginning to grow food in the garden and buy fresh fruit and vegetables from local shops. Healthy home cooked meals ensure children are well nourished and menus are agreed with parents to ensure children have a wide range of foods they enjoy. Mealtimes are social and relaxed with children seated together at the table so they can discuss their day at school or in the setting and explore their feelings and ideas. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration.

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Detail of the complaint/s

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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