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

p.1

Unique reference number 222161 Inspection date 06/03/2009 Inspector Margaret Elizabeth Roberts

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

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.

p.2

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.

p.2

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).

p.2

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

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered for over 20 years. She lives with her husband and grown up son in Isleham, Cambridgeshire. Access to the childminder’s home is via two steps. All of the home is used and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools where she is developing links to support the care she provides for the children. The family have one dog. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years. There are currently six children on roll, four of whom are in the early years age range. The childminder supports children with English as an additional language. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory. Children are provided with appropriate care which promotes their learning and development. Whilst children enjoy a suitable range of activities the method of assessment is not carried out on a regular basis. Children are kept safe through close supervision and most documentation is in place to support their welfare. Children benefit from the close working relationships that the childminder has with their parents and the links being developed with other professionals. The childminder does recognise some of her weaknesses but there is no effective system in place to monitor and evaluate the provision to improve the outcomes for children.

p.3

further?

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

p.3

further?

 further develop the assessments of children's progress through regular observations, using these observations in the planning of activities for individual children  reduce the risk of the spread of infection  ensure that the premises are covered by insurance for public liability  devise systems to evaluate the provision for children's welfare, learning and development.

p.3

further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

p.3

further?

 keep a record of all accidents and first aid treatment given to children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 27/03/2009  produce a risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, the date of review and any action taken. (Documentation) 27/03/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

provision

Children's welfare, learning and development are promoted through the warm relationship that they have with the childminder. Information of the service she provides is given to parents and links with the local school, that are being made ensure continuity of care for older children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder carries out visual checks on a daily basis but there is no formal risk assessment conducted to ensure that hazards to children, both indoors and outside, are kept to a minimum. Public liability insurance has been applied for as the current certificate has recently expired. Children can be safeguarded as the childminder is able to respond appropriately should she have concerns that they are being abused or neglected.

p.4

provision

Children who have learning difficulties and/or disabilities are welcomed into the home and the childminder endeavours to meet their needs, helping them to achieve as well as they can regardless of their starting points. Although the childminder is able to recognise that some areas of her work have weaknesses she has not yet devised a system for looking at ways to improve the quality of learning, development and care that she offers children.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time spent with the childminder where they are offered appropriate activities to help them make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. The childminder has some knowledge of the EYFS, supporting children in their play, supervising them closely at all times. Children play happily alongside one another, chattering away whilst they sit at the activity table. They become excited when the tunnels to crawl through are put out and comfortably sit with the childminder to enjoy looking at books together. Very young children are developing their language skills as they begin to put words together to make simple sentences. They are very inquisitive and explore their surroundings with confidence. Children are given opportunities to paint and make their own salt dough which they make into shapes to be cooked in the oven. Parents become involved in their children's learning and development by involving the childminder

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

in requests for producing mementoes to be sent to family members who live far away. The childminder has begun to make observations of children and develop assessment folders, which include the child's next steps of learning. However, these are not completed on a regular basis and therefore do not give a clear picture of how children are progressing.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are taught to keep themselves safe through gentle reminders by the childminder such as to put pencils on the table when running and to sit down whilst eating snacks. They are given times to be active, in the garden and going for walks in the local area, or they can rest undisturbed upstairs, according to their individual needs. They are taught to wash their hands before snack time but are put at risk of cross-infection as they use a communal towel for drying them. Although a first aid box is available and the childminder holds a current first aid This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 certificate, children's medical needs are compromised because the childminder does not record all accidents or any treatment that may be given.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children behave very well and respond positively to the childminder when she gives them simple instructions. Their good behaviour is encouraged through rewards for doing something well, with praise and encouragement being given freely by the childminder which promotes their self-esteem. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

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

p.6

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.

p.6

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

p.6

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?

p.6

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

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

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.

p.8

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.

p.8

Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

p.8

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.

p.8