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 EY371528 Inspection date 11/11/2008 Inspector Kelly Eyre

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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 May 2008. She lives with her partner and three children aged eight, 13 and 16 in a town close to Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there are two bedrooms available for children to sleep overnight or to have undisturbed rest. Children have access to the fully enclosed garden for outside play. A low step to the main entrance and facilities on the ground floor mean that the premises are accessible. The family has one pet rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to provide care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered to provide three places for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage and there are currently six children attending on a part- time basis who are within this age group. The children live locally. One child attends another setting such as the local pre-school. The childminder is also registered to provide one overnight place for children up to the age of eight.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary Childcare Register. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the Early Years age range. There are currently eight children attending on a part-time basis in this age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds the National Nursery Nurse Examination Board qualification in childcare.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's practice is highly effective in ensuring that children make excellent progress across all areas of learning. Her overall ethos of adopting a positive, inclusive approach promotes children's self-esteem and enables them to flourish as individuals, with positive attitudes to learning. The childminder consistently offers sensitive support to ensure that all children are able to participate and benefit from the activities and play opportunities. The comprehensive use of assessments to inform planning is a key strength and contributes significantly to ensuring that children's development is promoted to the optimum. The positive approach to evaluating her practice means that the childminder has a realistic picture of her strengths and weaknesses and plans ahead to further improve the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the procedures for evaluating daily practice  further develop the opportunities for children to gain an increased knowledge of other cultures and beliefs. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Children's individual development is promoted because the childminder has an excellent knowledge of child development and has comprehensive procedures in place to monitor their progress. She maintains good partnerships with parents, the local school and pre-school to ensure that children's care is consistent and their learning is extended. For example, the childminder obtains comprehensive information from parents about their children, utilising this to inform their daily care and the planning of activities.

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provision

Children are cared for in an exceptionally safe, secure environment and their welfare is consistently promoted because the childminder has an excellent knowledge of this area. The conscientious daily implementation of policies and procedures ensures that children are safeguarded at all times. For example, comprehensive risk assessments are undertaken and are regularly reviewed. The childminder's genuine aim to provide high quality care means that she continuously evaluates her practice. She is therefore aware of weaknesses and formulates appropriate plans which lead to improvements for children. However, some areas of evaluation are not recorded and this means it may be difficult to monitor progress.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The comprehensive assessment and evaluation of children's progress enables the childminder to provide highly appropriate support and activities to promote their development. Her exceptionally confident approach means that children are able to initiate their own play and learning and are always offered support and encouragement in extending this. For example, young children reading a book are offered lots of praise as they spontaneously count the objects on the page.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are consistently offered a wide variety of stimulating opportunities that support them in making excellent progress in all areas of learning and development. Their individual learning styles are recognised and highly valued, with all activity planning based on this. The childminder positively utilises the information gathered about each child to promote their development, carefully noting their interests and extending these. For example, young children showing an interest in building train tracks and reading train stories have visited the station to view real trains.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder actively promotes children's involvement, encouraging them to be confident and express their thoughts and ideas. They are therefore active in their learning and have a positive attitude to this. They discuss their interests and participate in the planning process by working together to produce ideas for activities. This has resulted, for example, in a range of exciting holiday activities such as visits to a nature reserve and a multitude of craft activities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's learning and their enjoyment are extended because the childminder makes excellent use of learning opportunities, doing this at an appropriate and enjoyable level. For example, young children laugh and giggle as they chase This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 bubbles around the garden and enjoy trying to count the bubbles, seeing how high they float and noting that the bubbles leave marks wherever they land.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are positively encouraged to be active learners, think critically and explore their environment. For example, on a trip to a nature reserve they enjoyed pond dipping, observing wildlife, making natural bookmarks and hunting for bugs. Children show great care and affection for each other, carefully listening and respecting each other's viewpoints. They are gaining a good understanding of other cultures and lifestyles. However, not all opportunities are fully optimised to promote children's greater understanding. 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? 1 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? 1

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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? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary 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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