Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY101614 Inspection date 25/11/2009 Inspector Emma Bright

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Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. 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 2002. She lives with her husband and two children, aged eight and 10, in a village west of 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 via a small step.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of these no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group, all of whom attend on a part- time basis. 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 and attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has fish in a secure pond in the garden and in a tank indoors. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement and is committed to improving her service for children and families. All of the required documentation is in place to promote and safeguard children’s welfare. Effective partnerships with parents ensure that children’s needs are met and they make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder deploys her resources well so that children can make independent choices and become active learners. All of the required documentation is in place to promote children’s welfare. 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 assessments further and ensure that parents have opportunities to contribute to these records with what they know about their child  develop the healthy eating policy further and include information for parents about appropriate food content for packed lunches and snacks. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is well-organised and understands the importance of informing Ofsted of any changes. She has a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children procedures and has attended training in child protection; this knowledge is underpinned by a clear policy, which is shared with parents and ensures that children are fully protected. Risk assessments are clear and detailed to ensure that hazards are identified and minimised; rigorous daily checks further improve children’s safety.

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the early years provision

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 play experiences and activities to support each child's growing skills. Resources are checked regularly to ensure they are safe for children to play with. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development and is very well-qualified. She reflects on her practice and demonstrates a clear commitment to continual improvement to develop her provision further and to improve her practice to achieve the best possible outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with parents; she gathers clear information from them so that she is knows about children's individual interests and needs and can provide a consistency of care. Very positive written feedback demonstrates parents very high regard for the childminder and the service she offers. Clear written policies and procedures are professionally presented to share with parents so that they know about the childminding provision. The childminder is sensitive to children's individual personalities when settling them in her home and this ensures a smooth transition between home and the childminding home. The childminder has begun to develop systems to promote partnership working with other providers who also care for the children. This ensures that continuity of care and education is maintained.

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and outcomes for children

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. She takes children's interests and stage of development into careful consideration when planning activities to ensure all areas of learning are promoted. The childminder has assessment records in place that help to identify what children can do and these are evolving. However, parents do not yet fully contribute to these records in order to share what they know about their child’s progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop their early literacy and communication because the childminder ensures they have lots of good quality experiences to promote these skills. For example, children have access to a wide range of books which they enjoy or they This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 visit the local library to choose additional books. The childminder encourages children’s language skills through effective interaction; she models good language as they attempt to copy sounds and words without discouraging their efforts so that they can use their growing skills confidently. Children gain awareness of their own cultures and those of others and they have opportunities to hear and use their home language at the setting. Children begin to be problem solvers as they confidently operate simple equipment such as push and play, or pop-up toys. They demonstrate curiosity as they work out how to operate a spinning top and observe

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and outcomes for children

how a mirror can make things look big or small. These simple activities lay the foundations to support children’s future economic well-being.

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and outcomes for children

Children’s independence and confidence are promoted as the childminder organises toys and resources where they can access them, allowing them to be active learners and make choices about their play. The childminder has good strategies in place to care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children explore their creativity in a range of art and craft activities; they freely produce drawings and pictures to represent their ideas and give meaning to their marks. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued and they are clearly relaxed and comfortable in her nurturing care. Children learn about the world around them by observing nature; they visit the local pet shop to see the rabbits and plant tomatoes and strawberries, watering them to help them grow. Children begin to understand the importance of caring for living things as they help to feed the fish, put out seeds for the birds and

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She helps children to gain an awareness of how to keep safe, both in the home and on outings. For example, they practice the fire drill so that they know what to do in an emergency. Children learn about responsible behaviour; they share and are kind to each other because the childminder is consistent and promotes positive behaviour. Children enjoy opportunities for physical exercise in the garden, park and at soft- play groups 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 ensures they have balanced and nutritious meals and snacks. However, the healthy eating policy does not provide parents with information about appropriate food content for packed lunches and snacks. Visits to activity groups and local amenities give children a chance to socialise and develop

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and outcomes for children

relationships within their own community. 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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

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