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 EY251306 Inspection date 24/10/2008 Inspector Heidi Falconer

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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 2002. He lives with his wife and their two children aged 18 and 13 in Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding. This includes a small downstairs toilet. Access to the house is gained through gentle slopes at the front and back entrances.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children when working on his own and a total of 12 children when he is working with another childminder at any one time. He is currently minding children in the early years age group and children older than the early years age group. He is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local pre-schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group with minded children.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder works with his wife and together they have high expectations of all children and are exceptionally committed to ensuring that they can achieve their full potential. Together they have established and continue to sustain an extremely stimulating and safe environment where children make excellent progress in their learning. All children are keen and eager to learn and they show great enthusiasm for the developmentally-appropriate activities and resources which are on offer. The childminder is reflective and together with his wife he evaluates the impact of his practice, modifying his approach where necessary and attending additional training. Inclusive practice is promoted well as the childminder overcomes barriers to ensure that all children at the setting are treated with equal concern.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 provide further opportunities for children to develop and use their home language in their play and learning.

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provision

The childminder works very closely with his wife and together they both have a strong influence over the setting’s policies and procedures sharing collective responsibility for their implementation. For example, after attending a ‘food and nutrition’ training course together they updated the setting’s menu, taking into account children’s dietary requirements. When deciding on the contents of this menu they worked closely with parents to ensure that they took into consideration children’s likes and dislikes. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder is very committed to improving his practice and the provision for the children who attend. He continually attends many courses to ensure that he is up to date with current legislation and guidance. For example, following a recommendation at his last inspection he attended five training courses to help

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provision

develop his awareness of inclusion and supporting children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities. He now uses this knowledge to provide a fully inclusive provision, where all children are valued. For example, to support children who speak English as an additional language, the childminder takes time to find out common words that the children use in their home language and he uses them with the children at the setting. He is currently reviewing more ways in which he can promote linguistic diversity and extend opportunities for children to use their first language in their play and learning.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates that he is able to respond quickly and take necessary steps to safeguard and promote children’s welfare. There is a detailed written child protection policy and the childminder has basic and advanced level training in child protection. He is able to recognise the signs and symptoms of actual or potential harm and abuse in children and he knows how and when to act to safeguard children.

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provision

The childminder works in very close partnership with parents and carers as a routine part of his practice. Parents are involved in identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the setting through questionnaires and they are also invited to add their suggestions to new policies and procedures. The childminder establishes strong links with other settings delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage. For example, he gathers information about the topics they will be covering each term so that he can plan activities which compliment and extend the children’s learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The exceptional organisation of the educational programme ensures that all children at the setting make excellent progress. Children are provided with a varied and exciting range of experiences which enrich their overall development. The setting is extremely well set out and resourced to enable the children to select activities and pursue their own interests in sustained play. For example, the playroom gives children plenty of space for children to play on a large scale, whilst the conservatory is used as a quiet room which is well equipped with a sofa, cushions and books. All resources are extremely accessible to the children through low-level storage units.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Initial and on-going assessments are in place, these identify what children can do, what children like to do and what are the next steps in their learning. Tracker books are used to chart this and these records are shared with parents on a regular basis, allowing them to contribute to their children’s learning. The childminder skilfully uses this information to challenge and stretch children’s learning in all activities. For example, when children show an interest in an alphabet wall hanging the childminder uses his knowledge of their stage of development to extend their learning. As the children picked up objects the childminder encouraged the children to link sounds to the letters the objects began with. The children thoroughly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enjoyed this activity saying ‘this is good, f is for fish’. Children display positive attitudes to learning, continually asking questions and selecting resources. Children

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

are extremely well supported by the childminder in activities which encourages them to persevere in activities. The childminder introduces mathematical concepts into fun learning experiences for the children. For example, when children choose puzzles the childminder shows them how to match pieces and introduces mathematical language to encourage the children to describe the shape and size of the pieces they are trying to match.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder gives children’s safety an extremely high priority. For example, close circuit television is in place which monitors access to the premises and the children whilst they are sleeping upstairs. Children develop an excellent understanding of keeping themselves safe, they regularly practise the fire evacuation plan and the childminder uses road safety resources to help the children to develop road safety awareness.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Exceptional care is taken to promote and sustain children’s good health. For example, in order to comply with the requirements of environmental health, the childminder checks and records fridge and freezer temperatures on a daily basis. Specific risk assessments are carried out to ensure that the childminder is able to meet the needs of children who have specific health and dietary requirements. For example, children who suffer from food allergies have their own individual high chair which is meticulously cleaned after each use. This helps to reduce the risk of cross- contamination. 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? 1 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 the last inspection.

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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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