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 EY368787 Inspection date 24/09/2008 Inspector Denise May Smith

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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 partner, their two sons aged 10 and 14 and an adult step-son. They live in a village near to Ely, Cambridgeshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house may be used for childminding making it accessible to all.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five and five children before and after school, all on a part-time basis. The provision is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to the local school and pre-schools to take and collect children and works in partnership with parents and other settings who also deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The family have a pet dog.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time in the childminder's care. She provides them with a range of activities suitable for their individual needs and ensures that she provides an inclusive practice for all of the children in her care. The childminder makes sure that children’s welfare is promoted and supports children so that they make progress in their learning.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is developing the ways in which she works with parents to support the children’s care and learning and has begun to develop links with the children’s pre-school to further develop the quality of the care and education provided.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder is proactive in keeping up-to-date with current childcare practice through reading and accessing training and is in the early stages of using self- evaluation as a tool in continuing to raise the quality of her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop agreements with all parents so that they are aware of the types of activities and care provided for the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment, both indoors and for when on outings, which is reviewed regularly, at least once a year or more frequently where the need arises 24/10/2008  develop the assessments of children's learning, taking account of their starting points and next steps of learning and use this information to inform the future planning 24/10/2008  obtain information about who has legal contact with the 24/10/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children and who has parental responsibility for the children.

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provision

The childminder is committed to continuous improvement and has attended, or is booked onto, relevant training courses to help her to develop her knowledge and skills. For example, training on using assessment and planning to help children make progress.

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provision

The childminder has a sound awareness of how to keep children safe, she knows what to do, and who to contact, should she have any concerns. She is clear about her responsibility to ensure that all adults who spend time with the children are suitable to do so. The childminder visually assesses and minimises all possible risks to children. However, she has not conducted a written risk assessment of her home or for when she takes the children on outings.

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provision

The childminder has the majority of the necessary records, policies and procedures in place which underpin the care provided. She has organised the good range of resources so that they are accessible for the children who enjoy being able to make choices in their play.

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provision

The childminder has taken time since registration to read the supporting guidance for childminding and is beginning to use this to ensure that she generally complies with the requirements. However, she has not obtained information relating to who has legal contact, and who has parental responsibility for the children for whom she cares. In addition, some agreements relating to the care provided have yet to be returned by some parents.

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provision

The childminder is aware of the benefits to children of evaluating her practice and is in the process of completing a self-evaluation document. This, together with her commitment to training and personal development enables her to strive to make continual improvements.

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provision

The childminder is keen to develop links with the local pre-school so that she can offer children well-rounded care. The parents make use of the two-way diary system in place so they are aware of the care their children have received and the activities they have been involved in during the day. Thank-you cards state how pleased parents are with the standard of care provided.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of the children. She encourages healthy eating and helps children to develop an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. For example, children discuss fire and road safety and are encouraged to develop good hygiene practices. The children are cared for in a clean home and suitable procedures are in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 place should they have an accident or become ill while in the childminder’s care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit from the time the childminder spends with them. She joins in their games and supports their learning. For example, she sits on the floor helping a child into dressing-up clothes and offering encouragement while playing with building bricks. Toys are organised so that children may help themselves from the accessible baskets. This means that children are able to make choices in their play as they select from the range of toys, books and resources available.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are making suitable progress towards the early learning goals and the childminder has begun to think about how she can assess the children’s progress from their starting points, identify their next steps of learning and plan for their development. This is in the early stages and so has not yet impacted on their overall development. Children are taken out into the local community to develop their understanding of the wider world and they make regular trips to the park for physical activities. Children enjoy taking part in art and craft activities and young children love making marks with paint sticks as they paint pictures for ‘mummy’.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are actively involved in their learning. They sing songs with the childminder including number songs as they begin to understand the concept of one more and one less. They share books and seek out the toys that particularly interest them, such as the building bricks. Children are encouraged to be active learners, to be creative and to think critically. The childminder introduces basic mathematics and problem solving into the children’s play. For example, they weigh pasta and the ingredients when they cook together.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have easy access to a computer and remote controlled toys which develops their interest in information technology. These activities, together with well- supported communication and language skills support the children’s future economic well-being.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder works with parents to ensure children are provided with appropriate care. She is proactive in her approach to caring for children who may have learning difficulties and/or disabilities and obtaining appropriate support for the children as necessary. Children are encouraged to share and develop positive attitudes to others because the childminder praises their achievements and explains what is acceptable behaviour and what is not. 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

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound 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? Satisfactory The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement. Good

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? Satisfactory

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? Good How well are children helped to be healthy? Good How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? Satisfactory How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? Satisfactory

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being? Satisfactory

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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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