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 EY381272 Inspection date 10/02/2009 Inspector Veronica Sharpe

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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 has been registered since October 2008. She lives in Witchford with her husband and their two children aged five and three years old. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to provide care for up to four children at any one time; two of these may be in the early years age group. There are two children currently attending, both within the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children mainly use the ground floor of the home and there is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The childminder lives in walking distance of a pre- school and the primary school. The family has two cats and some fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a Level 2 childcare qualification, she is currently working towards her Level 3 qualifications.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The childminder is well organised and conscientious and therefore successfully promotes all aspects of children's welfare. She has a sound knowledge of child development, which enables her to plan and provide a broad range of activities that reflect children's interests and generally ensure children progress well. Children benefit from warm and affectionate support from the childminder, who knows them well and ensures their unique interests and abilities are catered for. As a result children are confident and secure in her care and show they enjoy their time in the setting by being inquisitive, active learners. The childminder has not yet developed a suitable system for self-assessment, however, she strives for improvement and is keen to pursue further training in order to ensure the good quality provision can be developed and maintained.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase children's opportunities for child initiated activities so they can develop their independence and become active learners  develop self-evaluation to identify the strengths of the setting and the priorities for development to improve the quality of provision for all children.

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provision

The childminder works closely with parents to ensure there is continuity of care; development records and daily contact books ensure parents are well informed about daily routines and activities. Essential records, such as registers and contact details are carefully maintained. Links have been developed with the local pre- This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 school to facilitate information sharing, which increases the childminder's ability to plan and provide activities that meet children's individual needs.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and offers children a broad range of age-appropriate resources and activities that reflect their abilities and interests. She gathers evidence on children's learning through written observations, daily diaries and photographs. These are shared with parents so they can be fully involved in their children's learning and development at the setting.

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provision

Children play safely in the home and on outings because the childminder is conscientious about the risk assessments and ensures children are supervised at all times. On outings she helps children learn about keeping themselves safe, for instance as she helps them to identify safe places to cross the roads and reminds them about watching for cars.

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provision

Continuous improvement is ensured because the childminder strives to improve her knowledge, for example, she is currently improving her qualifications, which will further her ability to effectively support children in their learning and development. Although there is currently no system for self-evaluation, the childminder has been proactive in addressing areas for development, for example, she is improving policies and procedures so that parents can be better informed. This is beneficial to children's overall health, safety and welfare.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time in the setting and have clearly developed a secure attachment to the childminder. They chatter confidently and show they are eager to engage with the childminder, who happily joins in their play. The childminder shows how proud she is of the children's achievements and as a result they have high levels of self-esteem and willingly ask her questions to increase their knowledge. They develop their language skills well as the childminder encourages them to describe what they are doing and helps them retell their experiences, for instance, children remember going on an aeroplane to visit a relative in a hot country.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Although the childminder is mindful of providing children with sufficient challenge to promote their learning, she does not always enable them to explore and experiment independently, for instance, when older children want to use a train track, the childminder assembles it for them, limiting their opportunities to build and construct according to their own ideas. However, mostly children benefit from lively and stimulating experiences that promote their learning and development well. They enjoy a wealth of resources, that are well organised in low level storage, or arranged on the floor to stimulate interest. Small world characters enable children to develop their imaginations and they freely access puzzles, books and games. They enjoy singing familiar songs and rhymes, such as 'Going on a bear hunt' and sometimes play with musical instruments. Fun games at the park means they develop positive attitudes towards fresh air and exercise as well as

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

benefit from opportunities to socialise with their peers. Walks to the village centre This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enables children to explore and get to know their own community and sometimes they enjoy special treats, such as a drink in the coffee shop.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's good health is promoted well because they benefit from healthy and nutritious food. Meals are served according to parent's wishes and meet children's individual requirements. Water is always available and children have milk or fruit juice to drink at meal times. The childminder values good behaviour and encourages children to follow the simple rules of the setting, such as walking indoors and this helps them to develop an understanding of appropriate behaviour and safe practices. 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 registration.

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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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