Connor, Mrs Jacqueline

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 222029 Inspection date 16/04/2009 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 1989. She lives with her husband in a large village to the west of Cambridge. The whole of the childminder’s house is used for childminding. The garden has a large pond in it, so is not used for childminding, but full use is made of the local park, and the village green, which is adjacent to the back garden. 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 six children under eight years at any one time. There are currently fifteen children on roll, seven of whom are within the early years age range. She also offers care to children aged over five years to 10 years and is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder very occasionally works with an assistant. She supports children who speak English as an additional language. The house is within walking distance of local amenities such as schools, the library, shops and parks. The family has no pets.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and is working towards the Early Years and Childcare Quality Framework. The childminder is in receipt of funding for nursery education.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The welfare needs of all children are well met and in particular, their learning and development needs are exceptionally well met in a very child-focussed, stimulating environment. They are offered a wealth of meaningful activities and experiences to support their learning and interests and as a result, they make excellent progress.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder maintains a highly inclusive service, very much valuing all children and their families. Partnerships with parents and other providers are highly effective which has a positive impact on children's care and learning. She demonstrates an utmost commitment to continually monitoring, evaluating and further improving her practice and has effective systems in place to ensure she is able to do this. Most documentation is in place and up-to-date.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop a clear system to demonstrate the overall progress children are making towards the early learning goals  update the safeguarding children policy to ensure that it is in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines and procedures.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must: This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  carry out a full risk assessment for each type of outing undertaken with children (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 30/04/2009

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provision

The childminder's home is excellently organised to provide a rich learning environment for children. A designated play room hosts a wealth of toys, resources and equipment which are stored in labelled boxes in low-level units. The dining room is used for a wide variety of messy activities and many examples of children's work, photos and posters adorn the walls,5 enabling children to feel a strong sense of belonging.

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provision

Overall, policies, records and procedures promote the welfare of children. However, the safeguarding children policy is not written in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board (LSCB) guidelines and procedures. The childminder has attended training to secure her understanding of safeguarding procedures. She ensures children's safety by undertaking an annual risk assessment of her premises with her local authority advisor and conducts daily checks to ensure children play in a safe environment. The childminder has conducted a risk assessment for different forms of travelling with children. However, she has not carried out a full risk assessment for each type of outing undertaken with the children, such as to the toddler groups or the parks.

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provision

The childminder has a clear awareness of her own provision and is able to identify areas that she wishes to focus on, such as continuing to enhance her partnerships with other providers also delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to children in her care. This is achieved through effective self-evaluation systems, through working towards the successful completion of a quality assurance scheme and through feedback from children and parents. She has made many positive improvements since the last inspection. For example, the provision of Information Technology equipment for use by children has been extended, the toys and resources have been reorganised to ensure that they are independently accessible to the children and a comfy seating area has been developed for quiet activities. The childminder has attended an exhaustive list of training workshops which ensures that her knowledge is continually enhanced, refreshed and updated. She

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provision

demonstrates a passion and commitment to continually monitoring and improving outcomes for all the children she cares for.

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provision

Children reap the benefits of the excellent relationships that are developed between the childminder and parents. She ensures that information is shared effectively through daily discussion, comprehensive daily diaries, photographs and the children's assessment folders. Excellent information is gathered from parents and carers relating to children's starting points; this forms an 'EYFS passport' and ensures that the childminder is able to adapt resources, activities and experiences to meet children's individual needs and interests. Feedback from parents and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children, with regard to the care the childminder provides, is extremely positive. The childminder works closely with other providers also delivering the EYFS to children in her care by sharing information about what she is working on with the child and ensuring she is kept up-to-date about activities. This ensures consistency

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provision

of care and learning for the children between different settings.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans and provides a wide range of activities and play equipment both indoors and outdoors to thoroughly engage children's interests and help them to make considerable progress in all areas of learning. Systems to monitor children's progress are very well established. Regular observations are recorded in individual assessment folders and information from these is used to make assessments of children's learning and to identify their next steps. This information is used effectively by the childminder as she plans and supports the activities and experiences that she provides. The childminder monitors children's progress towards the early learning goals by referring to the EYFS Practice Guidance. However, there is no clear system for sharing this overview of progress with parents and other providers.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are very comfortable and settled in the childminder's care and they have developed very warm and positive relationships with both the childminder and other children. The childminder has an excellent understanding of how young children learn. For example, she provides children with sensory activities such as jelly play; she sensitively reassures and encourages them as they show initial reluctance at the feel of it on their hands, distracts them by trying to find favourite toys in the jelly and then sits back as they gain much confidence, freely exploring and proudly showing everyone their jellied hands. Children's behaviour is exemplary and they show great care and consideration for others as well as spontaneously using manners. The childminder interacts enthusiastically with children, asking questions, encouraging them to repeat words and engaging them in conversation to support and promote their language and communication skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have many opportunities to mark-make, for example, in shaving foam and on dry wipe boards. They are very curious and interested in the world around them; looking at how bulbs and beans change over time, exploring the snow and watching how the wind blows the bubbles across the green. Children benefit from the childminder's strong emphasis on celebrating diversity and the differences and similarities between people. They learn about this through many toys, resources and activities that reflect diversity. Children enjoy much physical activity and have access to a wide range of equipment that supports their physical development both at the childminder's home, local parks and play spaces, and at local groups. Numeracy and problem solving skills are very well promoted through play. For example, children decide whether they need a curvy or straight piece of train track to complete their design, or count the dinosaurs as they find them in the jelly.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Creativity is highly valued through a wide range of activities such as arts and crafts, music and role play.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a safe, clean and welcoming home for children to relax and play in comfortably. She actively encourages children to keep themselves well This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and safe from harm by practising fire safety evacuations and discussing road and personal safety. Good hygiene habits are actively promoted. For example, children wash their hands before eating, after using the toilet and after playing outside. They use frothy soap and individual hand towels which effectively reduces the risk of cross-contamination. Their health is promoted through the provision of nutritious meals and snacks, such as fresh and dried fruit, and they are able help themselves to their cups when they need a drink. Menus take full account of children's individual needs and preferences, including careful consideration of any allergies or specific dietary requirements.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

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? 1 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? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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