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 EY304301 Inspection date 24/02/2009 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 2005. She lives with her husband and two children aged seven and nine years in Ramsey, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding 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 are downstairs toilet facilities.

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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 under eight years at any one time. There are currently six children on roll, four of whom are within the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years and is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The house is within walking distance of local amenities such as schools, the library, shops and parks. The family has two pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and has successfully completed the Early Years and Childcare Quality Framework.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder promotes inclusive practice, treating all children as individuals and respecting their different interests and needs through the good range of activities and resources that she provides. Systems to monitor children's progress and achievements are well established and generally effective. Good quality information is shared between the parents, the childminder and generally other settings also delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), which helps to provide continuity of care and learning for the children. The childminder has effective systems in place to self-evaluate her practice and is committed to continually improving outcomes for all children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop assessment systems, this relates to completing more observations on children's day-to-day activities, devising a system to demonstrate children's progress towards the early learning goals and obtaining and using information from parents and carers about children's starting points  develop partnerships with other settings providing for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, this specifically relates to obtaining information about children's learning and development from other settings they attend. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Documentation is well organised and a wide range of written policies and procedures are in place and effective in promoting children's health, safety and welfare. The childminder has a very secure awareness of safeguarding procedures and she shares her written policy with all parents. She is committed to improving her knowledge and awareness of relevant issues, such as safeguarding, behaviour management and learning difficulties though further training. She ensures children's safety by undertaking full risk assessments of her premises, outdoor areas and all outings. As a result, children are cared for in a safe and secure environment where potential hazards are identified and effectively minimised.

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provision

The childminder has a clear and realistic awareness of her own provision and is able to identify areas for improvement. This is achieved through effective self- evaluation systems and through the successful completion of a quality assurance scheme. She has taken positive action to address recommendations made at the last inspection and has independently made further improvements to promote equality and inclusion such as the purchasing of further multicultural resources and posters which are displayed around the rooms to ensure children receive consistent messages as they play with regards to diversity.

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provision

Parents receive good information about the childminding service and their child's care and education. For example, they have access to an informative portfolio of policies and procedures and receive regular feedback with regards to their child's achievements and learning through access to their observations and assessment files. The childminder spends time talking to parents and gathering information before a child starts. For example, 'A little book about me' enables parents and children to share informal information about their likes and dislikes, interests, family and pets. However, no specific information is gained from parents as to children's learning and development at home to enable the childminder to use this information as starting points for her assessment procedures. The childminder has established partnerships with other providers also delivering the EYFS to children in her care and shares information about the observations and next steps of learning

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provision

she has identified for individual children. However, specific information is not yet obtained from the other settings as to the child's learning and development when attending those settings which would further support the childminder when planning activities and learning experiences for the children.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a good range of activities and play equipment to engage children's interest and help them to make progress in all areas of learning. The childminder observes children during mainly planned activities and uses these to assess children's capabilities and interests and identify their next steps in learning. However, there are fewer 'snapshot' observations conducted during children's day- to-day activities which would give a fuller picture of children's development and learning and there is no system in place to demonstrate the progress children are making towards the early learning goals. Planning is flexible and takes account of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's next steps of learning and individual interests with a balance of both planned and child-initiated activities both indoors and out at local groups or in the outdoor environment. Children are able to develop independence and make their

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

own choices as play resources and equipment are well organised within the home and children are able to use a toy catalogue to request further resources. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of how children learn. She has built warm relationships with the children and spends much time at their level, asking questions and promoting different aspects of learning such as counting, colour recognition and their sense of the world around them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children display confidence and an eagerness to learn as they ask to sing nursery rhymes and songs and are given opportunities to make choices during everyday routines and play activities. They play well together, understanding the basic rules of turn-taking as they play the 'teapotty' game and carefully use hand and eye coordination skills to 'catch' the balls in their tea cup. They are given lots of praise and reassurance by the childminder which boosts their confidence and self-esteem and promotes positive behaviour and regard for others. Children's language development is supported through meaningful conversations and due regard and support is given to ensure that all children have opportunities to express their ideas. Numeracy is filtered effectively through everyday activities such as counting pieces of fruit, discussing numbers on front doors and learning about the concept of 'one more' as they eat one more piece of fruit. Children learn about the local

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

environment , for example, as the childminder uses small world play to relate to features in the local town. Children are very curious about how things work, for example, the huge construction kit Ferris wheel and toy microwave, understanding that they are battery operated and need to be switched on and off. All of these activities give children skills to enhance their future economic well-being. Children enjoy many creative activities such as role play, baking, making snowmen in the snow, creating masks to celebrate Mardi Gras, exploring soapy water and painting.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder displays rules within the home, such as not jumping on the furniture and clear fire evacuation procedures which are practised regularly. Young children develop their awareness of road safety during regular outings with the childminder. Children begin to understand the importance of good personal hygiene as they wash their hands before eating and use liquid soap and paper towels to do this which prevents cross-contamination. They sing a song about germs which ensures they begin to understand the importance of good hygiene routines in a meaningful way and brush their teeth after lunch. Their health is promoted through the provision of healthy snacks and meals if required and they are able help themselves to their personal beakers or a water dispenser when they need a drink. Parents who provide food are advised of contents in order to promote and encourage healthy

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

eating. 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? 2 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? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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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