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 222542 Inspection date 03/04/2009 Inspector Emma Bright

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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 1991. She lives with her husband and three children aged 12, 16 and 19 in a village near to Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. Access to the premises is on one level.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding five children in this age group, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has two rabbits and five parrots. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The overall quality of the provision is good. The childminder has a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement and is committed to improving her service for children and families. Very effective partnerships with parents ensure that children’s needs are met. The childminder provides a broad range of interesting learning opportunities for each child and this enables them to make good progress in their learning and development. Most of the required documentation to promote children’s welfare is in place. The childminder recognises each child’s individuality and effectively promotes inclusive practice so that children feel secure and valued.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop children’s assessment records further to ensure parents have opportunities to contribute  ensure risk assessments hold further information about outings.

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provision

All documentation is in place and regularly updated in order to promote the welfare of children. A good range of policies and procedures are in place to safeguard children; the childminder has attended training in child protection and this knowledge is underpinned by a policy which is shared with parents and this means children are kept safe from harm. Risk assessments are in place so that hazards are identified and minimised, and the childminder ensures children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 supervised at all times. However, the risk assessment does not hold sufficient information about outings. The childminder organises space and play resources effectively to meet children's needs; she has a good understanding of children's individual abilities and this enables her to provide challenging play experiences and activities to support each child's development. The childminder has a very good

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provision

knowledge and understanding of child development; she regularly attends training courses to keep up-to-date with current guidance and legislation and this enables her to provide good quality care.

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provision

The childminder has a clear and realistic self-evaluation process in place to identify areas for future development. She regularly reflects and evaluates the provision to ensure that children have good quality experiences and can make good progress. The childminder has a positive attitude to liaising with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and has begun to make links with these settings in order to support children’s learning. The childminder works very well in partnership with parents and carers to ensure children’s individual needs are fully met. Parents are kept informed about their child through daily diaries and newsletters. The childminder is sensitive to children's individual personalities when settling them in her home, ensuring that they are happy and feel secure to be left in her care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder understands how young children learn and this enables her to provide a good range of experiences and activities to support each child's learning and development. Planning is in place and is flexible so that it can be adapted to focus on and extend children’s interests. The childminder observes children in their play and takes photographs of them to illustrate the activities they enjoy. This enables them to make good progress across the areas of learning. The childminder has assessment records in place that help to identify what children can do and these are evolving. However, parents do not contribute to these records to help build on what children know and identify the next steps in their learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children’s independence and confidence is promoted well because the childminder encourages them to carry out tasks for themselves. For example, they enjoy making their own packed lunch as they carefully assemble sandwiches and sort fruit into small pots. Toys and resources are organised so that children can access them, allowing them to be active learners and make choices about their play. Children explore their creativity in a good range of art and craft activities because a strong emphasis is placed on developing children’s self–expression. They freely produce drawings and pictures to represent their ideas and these are displayed for others to admire and enjoy.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy visits to places of interest, such as the garden centre and they regularly socialise with others at local group. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued and they are clearly relaxed and comfortable in her care. The childminder encourages children’s language skills through effective interaction; she models good language and uses good questioning skills to help children think and demonstrate what they know. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder develops children’s learning by introducing mathematical concepts such as counting and colour recognition in their play and when out on walks. They operate simple equipment such as push and play or pop-up toys. These simple activities lay the foundations to support the children’s future economic well-being.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder helps children to understand about keeping safe; for example, they learn about road safety and wear high visibility jackets or reflective armbands so that they are kept safe on outings. The childminder ensures that children have varied opportunities for physical exercise; they practice their large skills as they run around in the park and they benefit from lots of fresh air on their daily walks to school. The childminder encourages children to have a healthy attitude towards food because she provides a good range of balanced and nutritious meals and snacks. She gathers clear information from parents about children’s dietary requirements and this ensures children can eat safely. 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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