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 EY374959 Inspection date 13/01/2009 Inspector Anna Davies

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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 12 and 14 years in Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access into and out of the childminder's home is at ground level and there are downstairs toilet facilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently five children on roll, three of whom are within the early years age range. The provision is also registered on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The house is within walking distance of local amenities such as schools, the library, shops and parks. The family have two cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled because the childminder ensures children have a sound range of activities to help them make satisfactory progress in their learning and development, although assessment arrangements have yet to be put into place. Inclusive practice is generally well promoted and the childminder works together with parents to ensure that children's individual needs are met. Most of the required documentation to promote children’s welfare is in place and the childminder demonstrates a basic understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her service and has attended or booked on training courses to further promote the continuous development of her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop ways to value linguistic diversity and provide opportunities for children to develop and use their home language in their play and learning.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure assessment arrangements are in place to ascertain children’s achievements, this relates to making systematic observations and assessments of each child's achievements, interests and learning styles and using these to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for each child (Assessment arrangements) 17/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  maintain a record of a risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, the date of review and any action following a review or incident (Documentation: also applies to the compulsory part of the Childcare Register). 27/01/2009

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provision

The childminding provision is suitably organised and most documentation is in place and suitably maintained to promote the welfare of children. Policies and procedures to safeguard children are in place and visual risk assessments of the premises are carried out which ensures that potential hazards to children such as table corners and access to the stairs area, have been effectively identified and effective action taken to minimise these risks. However, there is no record maintained of these. The childminder understands her role in safeguarding children and is aware of the appropriate procedures to put into practice when necessary and this means children are kept safe from harm.

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provision

The childminder has sound relationships with parents, carers and other settings that children attend; information is gathered from them so that the childminder has an awareness of children's individual interests and needs and can provide a consistency of care. The childminder gives verbal and some written feedback each day so that parents are informed of their child’s progress. The childminder is beginning to reflect on her practice and has begun to identify some of her own areas of strength and areas which require development. She has made sound improvements since registration particularly with regard to ensuring that children can use the outdoor area safely within a designated area.

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provision

The childminder's home is sufficiently well organised to help children have opportunities to become independent as they freely access low-level toys and resources in the welcoming, designated play room. However, the childminder has not fully considered how to develop ways to value children's linguistic diversity and provide opportunities for them to develop and use their home language, particularly when English is an additional language, in their play and learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care and are confident to access the good range of toys and resources which are age appropriate and stimulating for children. This ensures that they are kept busy and occupied. Flexible planning of activities enables a general balance of activities both at local groups and within the childminder's home where activities focus on the choices and interests of the children. The childminder understands children's individual abilities. However, she has not yet put in place effective assessment arrangements in order to effectively monitor children’s progress towards the early learning goals and plan for the next steps in their learning. The childminder interacts effectively with children promoting their language and communication skills as they complete This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 simple games, read stories or use sit and ride toys.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are developing independence as they feed themselves and display growing confidence as they watch each other and imitate each other's sounds during play. They are encouraged to begin to learn about sharing and taking turns with popular toys. They share stories and songs with the childminder who responds to their babbles and repeats and models key words to promote their language development. Children learn simple problem solving skills as they attempt to fit the correct animal's nose to its picture. Simple counting activities are filtered into everyday activities such as counting steps as they walk from room to room. They are beginning to understand about the world around them as they explore in the garden; digging and finding worms. They take an interest in how things work, for example, they try to switch on an electronic toy without success and playfully tap it with the childminder to make it work. Children are cared for in a spacious

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

home which ensures they have plenty of opportunities to move around freely, gaining confidence in their physical abilities as they learn to operate sit and ride toys and do 'roly poly' on a mattress. Young children have some opportunities to be creative through art and craft activities and enjoy make believe play as they create dens and tents.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn how to keep themselves safe, for example, as they are gently reminded to sit down to use pencil crayons. Personal hygiene is adequately promoted as children are encouraged to wash and dry their hands using liquid soap and disposable paper towels. They are reminded to cover their mouths when coughing to prevent germs spreading. Meals and snacks are provided by parents and the childminder shares with them, her responsibility towards encouraging healthy eating. All food is stored appropriately to ensure it is in a suitable condition for children to eat. Positive behaviour is promoted through praise and encouragement. Suitable procedures are in place for recording accidents and medication and the childminder ensures she is able to respond appropriately if children have an accident as she has completed an appropriate first aid qualification and checks the contents of the first aid kit to ensure they remain

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

suitable. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (Documentation). 27/01/2009 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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