Childminder, Out-of school day care 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 EY279715 Inspection date 19/03/2009 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 2004. She lives with her husband and two children aged nine and eight years in a village just outside of St.Ives, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a 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 five children under eight years at any one time. There are currently 18 children on roll, six 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. All children attend on a part-time basis. The house is within walking distance of local amenities such as schools, shops and parks. The family keeps coldwater fish and two budgerigars.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is working towards 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 satisfactory. The childminder ensures that a comfortable and spacious home is provided for all children, which supports their welfare needs. Children are well-engaged in activities and share warm relationships with the childminder, although effective assessment procedures are not yet established to ensure that all children's learning potential is fulfilled.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

There is a friendly working relationship with parents which ensures that they are kept well-informed of most issues in relation to their child's care and learning. The childminder is beginning to use systems to self-evaluate her practice and is able to identify strengths and some areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that policies are clearly defined for parents and other users, this relates to ensuring that the wording reflects the use of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework  develop planning and assessment systems, this relates to ensuring that observations and assessments link to children's individual achievements and identify next steps of learning. Use this information to inform future activities and to share with parents so that they may support children's learning at home  develop partnerships with other providers, this relates to sharing information about children's learning and development to promote consistency. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 09/04/2009  take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to children are kept to a minimum, this specifically relates to the lock on the inside of the downstairs bathroom door (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 09/04/2009

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provision

The childminder's home is very spacious and sufficiently well-organised to help children have opportunities to become independent as they freely access toys and resources stored in the playroom and garden. Positive images and resources are provided to ensure that children receive consistent messages about diversity and inclusion. A range of written and verbal policies and procedures are shared with parents. However, most of the written policies still make reference to the National Standards which is not the legal framework now in use.

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provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of safeguarding children's welfare. For example, she has an appropriate understanding of the signs and symptoms of child abuse and knows the procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child in her care. Risk assessments are in place for the premises and garden. However, they are not in place for each type of outing that children are taken on. The risk assessment is generally effective in identifying and minimising most risks. However, the accessible lock situated on the inside of the downstairs bathroom door poses a risk to children's safety in the event that they lock themselves in.

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provision

Parents receive information about their child's care verbally at the end of each day. The childminder is very flexible when children are settling in to ensure that the transition is smooth. A range of information both verbally from parents and on the contracts, ensures that the childminder is aware of children's individual needs. Children's assessment records when fully in place will provide a further opportunity for parents to receive information regarding their child's development and be able to support areas of learning being focussed on by the childminder. Parents speak highly of the care offered and state that the childminder spends much of her time playing and interacting with the children. The childminder is generally aware of the activities undertaken when children attend other settings also delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and shares information in relation to how the child has been during the time spent there. However, no information is shared with regards

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provision

to learning and development to ensure consistency.

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provision

The childminder has made satisfactory progress since the last inspection, specifically focussing on the recommendations raised to obtain specific permissions from parents to underpin children's welfare and safety. She has sound systems in place to monitor and evaluate her provision and is able to identify her strengths This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and some areas for further development such as assessment arrangements and attending safeguarding children training.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder ensures that children enjoy a suitable range of activities across all areas of learning which take account of their interests and needs. She has a sound understanding of learning through play and supports children appropriately as they choose from the freely accessible toys and resources in her home. The childminder has begun to record general observations of children's learning. However, these have yet to be individual to each child and be used to identify next steps of learning to ensure that children's learning potential is fulfilled during the activities offered.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care; they work together as they construct a train track and demonstrate much pride as they 'win' the race along the track with their train. Children's language development is promoted through reading books and engaging in meaningful discussions with the childminder who gives them time to think and make responses. They solve problems as they find pieces of track that fit together and enjoy consolidating their counting skills during games of hide and seek; counting to ten before seeking out their friends. Children are curious about how things work as they help to renew the batteries in toys and experiment with weight and how it affects the balance of objects. Children regularly attend toddler groups which gives them opportunities to socialise and enjoy a further range of activities. They enjoy the spacious garden to develop their physical skills such as throwing large, soft frisbees to each other and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

riding on scooters. A suitable range of creative activities support children's developing creativity. For example, they use 'moon sand', playdough, sand and paint and enjoy dressing up as princesses.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn how to keep themselves safe as they are gently reminded of safety rules within the home such as, being careful as they are tidying toys away and playing with sand safely. Children develop an awareness of safety when walking with the childminder as they learn to cross roads safely. Personal hygiene is promoted as children are supported in washing their hands after visiting the toilet and before eating. Children are able to help themselves to drinks in bottles when they wish which promotes their good health. Food is generally provided by the parents although the childminder provides snacks or supplements meals as necessary. Snacks are nutritious and promote healthy eating. The childminder is mindful of specific dietary requirements and works with parents to ensure that these are respected. Suitable procedures are in place for recording accidents and medication and the childminder ensures she is able to respond appropriately if

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children are ill or have an accident as she holds a valid first aid qualification and has relevant experience in this field as a trained nurse. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 09/04/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early years section of the report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 09/04/2009 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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