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

p.1

Unique reference number 259630 Inspection date 10/02/2009 Inspector Clare Elizabeth Pook

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two children aged 14 and two years in the new village of Cambourne. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and one bedroom for sleeping . There is fully enclosed garden used for outdoor play.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children in the early years age range on a part- time basis. She is also minding one child in the older age group. The provision is registered on both the Early Years Register, and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools and pre- schools to take and collect children. The family have two cats.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the childminder provides good provision for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children's welfare is successfully promoted and children are making good progress in their learning and development. Children's uniqueness and individual needs are respected and valued. The childminder uses several methods for self-evaluation which are all extremely effective. She clearly identifies her strengths and is enthusiastic in building on these together with adapting any minor weaknesses to strive for better outcomes for children. The childminder works well with parents and as a result has a positive impact on children's care and learning.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 match informal observations to the areas of learning so that the progress children are making is clear.

p.3

provision

The childminder has highly effective systems in place for keeping records and maintaining necessary documentation. She obtains all necessary information from parents, which helps promote children's welfare and enables the childminder to meet the children's needs. She works closely with parents and ensures she has all the relevant information to support children. The childminder meets with parents every four months to share records of scrapbooks and development files. The childminder values parents' views and has started to seek these regularly through questionnaires.

p.3

provision

Children are effectively safeguarded. Safety is paramount in the eyes of the childminder. The childminder is able to protect children from harm or neglect as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 she has a good understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures as well as signs and symptoms of child abuse. She has attended safeguarding training and is booked onto the advanced course as well. Through highly effective and detailed risk assessments the childminder is careful in assessing potential risk and takes effective steps to prevent accidents while allowing children freedom to discover and learn safely. The risk assessment of the premises is tailored for the needs of the children and pertinent to the house rather than using standard ones.

p.3

provision

The childminder has attended a range of training workshops and courses to keep her knowledge of childcare practice current. She strives for high standards in her own professional development. She is consistently looking at ways to develop and enhance her provision to ensure that it meets the needs of individual children. The childminder has excellent systems of self-evaluation and is very proactive in continually moving her provision forward for the maximum benefit of the children.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is highly successful in promoting children's welfare and children are making good progress in their learning and development. Good hygiene practices are encouraged and demonstrated by the childminder. The children learn that washing hands removes germs and that eating fruit and vegetables helps keep them healthy. They have fresh air and exercise each day through walks to school, walking the dog or visiting the park promoting healthy lifestyles. Children learn about keeping safe when out and about through road safety. Other aspects such as not throwing toys in the house are explained clearly to the children as to why it is not acceptable.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are able to self-select toys and equipment from easily accessible and well labelled resources. They choose to play with the mobiles pretending to make phone calls and tap away at a keyboard pretending to type. This helps provide them with skills for the future together with early reading and numeracy activities. The childminder provides a balance of adult-led and child-initiated activities enabling children to make their own decisions about what they do. The childminder supports children in their play helping them build the fire station at their request. The children are given the freedom to use their imagination through craft activities. The childminder provides children with a choice of materials and allows them to be creative expressing their feelings and making their own designs for Valentines Day.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder and children sit in a quiet area looking at books. The children listen attentively to stories and the childminder engages them in discussing the story. The children name the engines, talk about their colours and ask about the numbers on the trains. At meal times they learn about simple calculation deciding if there is sufficient crumpets for all the children. Children play well together negotiating and taking turns to run the cars and trains down the helter-skelter. They are polite and well mannered remembering to say please and thank you when offered fruit and drinks. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children complete charts with their parents detailing special events and celebrations within their family such as 'granny's birthday' or a religious event. These are then included as part of the planning so children can share with each other these special occasions. Their self esteem is promoted through the use of

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

photographs and their work being attractively displayed around the conservatory.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans activities based on the children's interests. She uses these occasions to observe the children as well as spontaneous play. From these assessments the childminder is able to plan the next steps for each child. These are shared with parents when they meet. Both the formal observations and jottings provide good evidence to show the progression in children's learning and development, however, the system used is not fully developed to be completely effective. Photographs support the evidence and also provide opportunities for parents to see the fun their children are having. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

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

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action.

p.8

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.

p.8