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 EY296329 Inspection date 07/11/2008 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 2004. She lives with her partner and two children aged five and seven years in Whittlesey near Peterborough. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding purposes 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 is a downstairs toilet, making the provision accessible to all.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding seven children in the early years age group on a part-time basis. The provision is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder works in partnership with parents and other local providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The house is within walking distance of local amenities, such as, schools, the library, shops and parks. The family have no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and has achieved the NCMA Quality First quality assurance scheme at Level 3.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The needs of all children in the childminder's care are exceptionally well met in a very child-led environment; they are offered a wealth of meaningful activities and experiences to support their individual developmental needs and interests. The childminder maintains a highly inclusive service, valuing all children and their families. Partnerships with parents and other providers are highly effective which has a positive impact on children's care and learning. The childminder is passionate, enthusiastic and wholly committed to continually monitoring, evaluating and maintaining a high quality childcare service and has very effective systems in place to ensure she is able to do this.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop assessment records, this relates to demonstrating the progress that each child is making towards the early learning goals.

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provision

The childminder's home is very well organised to ensure that children gain the maximum enjoyment whilst in her care. For example, all toys and resources are independently accessible to children in good sized open spaces. Children benefit from the childminder's very proactive approach to inclusion and celebrating the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 diverse society in which they live. For example, the childminder has learnt sign language and introduces this to all children during routines and songs. All children are celebrated and highly valued as individuals; they are able to make many independent choices and decisions and examples of their work are displayed on a low-level display board for their appreciation.

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provision

Documentation and record keeping is exemplary. All records are well organised and regularly updated and reviewed. This promotes the safety and welfare of the children and underpins the high quality care offered. The childminder works in close partnership with parents and other providers who also care for the children to ensure the continuity of care and education offered. For example, comprehensive daily diaries go between home, herself and other childminder's also caring for the children. All parents speak extremely highly of the childminder's commitment to ensuring and promoting the happiness and individuality of all of the children. Parents are a strategic part of the childminder's self-evaluation process both informally, through daily discussion, and formally through written documentation. They are regularly informed of their children's achievements and progress and are actively encouraged to become involved in their learning by

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provision

making their own regular, written observations on their child's 'About me' page and in their daily diaries.

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provision

Since the last inspection, the childminder has attended a wealth of training workshops and courses to keep her knowledge of childcare practice up-to-date and relevant. She has been very proactive in developing her provision since the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage, making amendments to planning systems to ensure that it meets the needs of individual children. The childminder has excellent systems of self-evaluation and continually moves her provision forwards for the benefit of the children. She strives to always offer the best quality care and education that she can and seeks others views and ideas to help her do this. For example, she researches topics and constantly replenishes and obtains new resources and equipment in order to support all areas of children's learning and welfare.

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provision

The childminder is highly knowledgeable about child protection issues and procedures which ensures that appropriate action can be taken should she have concerns about a child in her care. She ensures that all hazards to children are minimised both when inside, outside or on outings. For example, thorough risk assessments and daily safety checks ensure that hazards are clearly identified and actioned. All of these practices protect and safeguard children from harm.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans and provides a wide range of activities both indoors, outdoors and in the local community to thoroughly engage children's personal interests and helps them to make considerable progress in all areas of learning. Record keeping systems are well established and some children have clear documentation to demonstrate the progress they are making towards the early learning goals. However, this part of the system has yet to be fully established for all children. Regular observations are recorded and information from these and parental This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 contributions are used to make assessments of children's learning and to identify the next steps in learning. This information is used effectively by the childminder who knows all the children extremely well, as she supports the activities and experiences that she provides for them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very comfortable and settled in the childminder's care and they have developed very warm and positive relationships. Children ask for help when required and accept praise readily. The childminder interacts enthusiastically with children, asking questions to promote learning and engaging them in conversation to support and promote their language and communication skills. She has an excellent understanding of how young children learn and is very much led by the children as they express different interests and ideas. For example, during a washing up activity, children delight as they splash the bubbles, talk about emptying and filling and the size of the containers. Children are well behaved and able to articulate their feelings towards each other for example, when they both want to use the same toy.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are highly engrossed in activities and are eager to learn. This is because the environment is very stimulating and the childminder gives them time to extend their own ideas and thinking. Children are very conversant and articulate, learning new vocabulary, such as, 'frothy coffee' as they play. Numeracy and problem solving is routinely filtered into play activities, for example, children are asked to predict how many cups of water it will take to fill a container. Children are encouraged to enjoy the natural environment on nature walks collecting conkers, leaves and observing wildlife such as tadpoles. Children have many opportunities to be creative through arts and crafts, role play and music and movement.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has secure strategies in place if she were to care for children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities to ensure that their individual needs are met. A key strength of the provision is the opportunities given to children to understand about safety. They learn the Green Cross Code, the importance of wearing helmets when riding a bike, not touching or eating berries when out and through regular topics and role play opportunities, such as, 'people who help us,' learning about fire safety as they 'stop, drop and roll'. Children are very aware of maintaining a healthy lifestyle they have regular exercise and provision of physical activities and independently follow good hygiene routines with the help of reminder posters that they have created themselves. The childminder offers children healthy and nutritious meals and snacks as well as ensuring that all aged children have independent access to drinks. Effective records of accidents and the administration

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of any medication are maintained which safeguards children's welfare. 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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