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 EY371134 Inspection date 07/11/2008 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 was registered in 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged five and eight years in Kings Hedges, close to Cambridge city centre, Cambridgeshire. Children mainly use the ground floor except for toilet facilities on the first floor.

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Description of the childminding

There is an enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register and is able to care for a maximum of three children at any one time. There is currently one child on roll. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder attends local activity groups. The family has a cat and a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and attends the local childminding group.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder plans a good range of activities and organises her resources effectively so children become active and independent learners. She knows the children well and is developing ways to record observations of what children do in order to provide enjoyable experiences that promote their learning and development in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She has a strong commitment to her own professional development and is pro-active in identifying training opportunities that increase her ability to meet children's individual needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing, taking into account the nature of the outing  continue to develop the system for observing and assessing children's progress in order to ascertain their achievements and plan for their next steps.

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provision

Children play in a well organised and stimulating environment. The childminder ensures children enjoy a range of resources and activities that take into account their age and stage of development. She has positive relationships with children and shows them warm affection. Good information is collected from parents and carers to ensure children’s individual needs are known and can be met. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder provides parents with details of children’s well-being on a daily basis so they are well informed about their children’s routines when in the setting.

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provision

The childminder has a positive commitment to continually developing her practice. She has attended essential training, such as first aid and has sought advice from the childminding advisor in order to identify areas for development. She is beginning to work on her self-evaluation and pro-actively takes steps to improve her knowledge, for instance, she is reading and researching aspects of diversity so she can improve the activities and resources that help children learn about their own differences and similarities.

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provision

The childminder keeps children safe within the home and ensures their well-being is safeguarded. She has a sound knowledge and understanding of child protection procedures and keeps the necessary contact information so she can seek help or advice as necessary. A risk assessment of the premises has been conducted in order to minimise hazards in the home, however, this has not been extended to include outings, which means children’s safety is not fully assured.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a developing knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and is beginning to use observations of children to record what they can do and what their interests are. However, these have yet to link into the areas of learning and do not identify children’s next steps. Informally, she works collaboratively with parents to ensure children experience a good range of activities that promote their learning and development. She uses opportunities to increase children’s understanding well, for instance, counting the steps up to the bathroom, or listening to the sound of leaves underfoot when they walk to school.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children socialise frequently as they attend local activity and toddler groups and develop their relationships. Daily walks and active games in the garden or at the local park help children learn to enjoy a healthy lifestyle. The childminder uses her knowledge of children’s home lives to plan activities, such as providing glitter, glue and paint so children can recreate their experience of the local firework display. Children learn to enjoy stories and share books with the childminder, snuggled on her lap as they listen and help turn the pages. Their developing communication skills enable them to share the ‘wheels on the bus’ song from toddler group yesterday or talk about bathing their dollies.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn to appreciate diversity as the childminder takes them out into the local community. She plans activities using information from the school or pre- school so children’s understanding of other cultures and lifestyles is appropriately fostered. The childminder knows the children well and activities and resources reflect their interests and meet their individual learning and development needs. 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? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 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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