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 222350 Inspection date 20/01/2009 Inspector Carly Mooney

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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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 1993. She lives with her husband, two adult children and her son's partner in Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the ground floor of the premises is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play. Main access to the premises is via the side door.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding three children in the early years age range. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and belongs to the local childminding network. She is also a trained buddy for new childminders.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides excellent care and education for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage. The home is warm and inviting and children thoroughly enjoy their time in the childminder's care. They participate in a fantastic range of fun and challenging activities which allow them to make excellent progress in their learning and development. The childminder fully recognises the individuality of each child and ensures she promotes inclusive practice for all. She has extremely effective systems in place to self-evaluate her practice and is fully committed to continually improving the provision for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 review written risk assessments to include specific outings.

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provision

Children are cared for in a 'home from home' environment which is effectively organised to ensure that children gain the maximum enjoyment whilst in the childminder's care. Children are very familiar with the routines of the day and independently choose their favourite toys and resources from clear, labelled boxes. Children benefit from the childminder's very proactive approach to inclusion and celebrating the diverse society in which they live. For example, celebrating Chinese New Year. 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 within the home and their 'special books' which are fully appreciated by both children and parents. As a result children are able to feel a true sense of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 belonging in the childminder's home.

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provision

The childminder has an exemplary portfolio of policies and procedures in place which underpins the excellent quality of care provided for all children. All paperwork is extremely well organised and regularly reviewed and updated. Additional records which further promote children's safety and welfare are also kept. For example, fridge temperatures and log books at each exit with details of children's contact numbers and visitor details in the event of an emergency. Daily checks of both the home and the garden are carried out to ensure hazards to children are identified and minimised. Comprehensive written risk assessments are also in place, including when travelling in the car. However, risk assessments specific to individual outings have not yet been carried out, which is now a requirement of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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provision

The childminder has developed extremely close relationships with the families of the children she cares for, some over many years. All parents speak extremely highly of the childminder's care and commitment to ensuring their child is happy and looked after well. Their opinions are regularly sought on the childcare their child receives and feedback is valued and respected. A parents notice board is provided to keep parents up-to-date on day to day care and learning, along with verbal feedback and a detailed daily diary of their child's day. They are consistently informed of their child's achievements and progress as they receive copies of their assessment records which are regularly updated and provide them with opportunities to comment on their child's learning at home. The childminder demonstrates an excellent commitment to training to ensure she keeps her knowledge of childcare practice up-to-date and relevant. She has been very

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provision

proactive in developing her provision since the introduction of the Early Years Foundation Stage, ensuring that all requirements have been implemented fully into the setting. The childminder has a realistic awareness of her own provision and identifies clear areas for improvement through effective self-evaluation systems that are in place.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are provided with excellent opportunities and experiences to help them make effective progress across all areas of learning. The childminder has a wealth of experience in childcare and a clear understanding of how children learn from active play and exploration. For example, the conservatory is well resourced with a range of good quality toys and resources which are easily accessible to the children. The childminder carefully takes children's interests into consideration when providing activities. For example, a child enjoys colouring and drawing at the moment so she ensures pens and paper are always readily available. The childminder plans challenging and stimulating experiences and activities to support each child's development. Meaningful observations of children's learning are recorded and used effectively to plan their next steps. Many photographs are taken to illustrate the activities they enjoy and are regularly shared with parents through

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

their individual assessment records. The childminder is attempting to build secure partnerships with other providers who also care for the children to ensure continuity of care and learning is maintained. For example, she has introduced This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 herself to the children's key worker at the local pre-school and has devised a sheet to pass on information in writing.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued; she consistently praises their efforts, which enhances children's self-esteem and confidence. Children learn about responsible behaviour; they share and are kind to each other because the childminder is consistent and promotes positive behaviour. For example, children place a marble in the jar as a reward for kindness towards each other and receive a treat when the jar is full. Children enjoy looking for interesting things when out in their natural environment. They draw pictures or use stickers to represent what they have seen on their nature watch picture, including objects or animals they have seen when out with their parents. The childminder organises visits to places of interest, such as the local Sure Start centre to hold and see live reptiles or Peterborough Museum. Children are able to socialise with others at local childminding activity mornings. The garden is well

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

used to promote physical activity including staging a mini Olympics last summer with obstacle courses and stepping stone races.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have many opportunities to make marks, draw and create. Books are easily accessible and a letter of the week enables children to learn about letter sounds and formation. Children have good opportunities to recognise their names as they self-register when they arrive. The childminder develops children’s learning by introducing mathematical concepts, such as counting and number recognition in their play and through a number of the day.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She has a robust safeguarding policy in place which is clearly understood and shared with parents and has recently attended advanced safeguarding training. This ensures that appropriate action can be taken should she have concerns about a child in her care. The childminder helps children to gain an awareness of how to keep safe, both in the home and on outings. For example, through practising emergency escape drills and talking about road safety through a stop and go game when on walks. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate which enables her to respond appropriately if a child becomes ill or has an accident. Effective records of accidents and the administration of any medication are maintained which safeguards children's welfare. Children are effectively taught to take care of their own personal health and hygiene and use individual towels to keep the spread of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

infection to a minimum. Children benefit from a healthy diet as they are provided with foods, such as fruit, carrot sticks and cucumber which are healthy and nutritious. 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 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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