Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY321118 Inspection date 02/11/2009 Inspector Melanie Calway

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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 2006. She lives with her husband and three children aged 13, 11 and nine in a village near to March, in Cambridgeshire. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog, two cats, some fish and a rabbit and two guinea pigs, which live outside.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends the local parent and toddler group, the library and the park.

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Description of the childminding

She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is a member of her local childminding network.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled and have formed positive relationships with the childminder. The childminder provides a range of suitable activities and is beginning to make observations of children's play and learning and to use this information to help them to progress. The childminder has a friendly relationship with parents who value her flexible approach. The childminder uses links with her local childminding network and training opportunities to help her to identify some areas for improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that the risk assessment is effective and take all reasonable steps to ensure that hazards to childen are kept to a minimum, with particular reference to the outside gate and the trampoline (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 16/11/2009

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further?

 improve knowledge of the regulations governing complaints, with particular reference to investigating all written complaints relating to the requirements and notifying complainants of the outcome within 28 days (Safeguarding and welfare). 30/11/2009 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve the record of risk assessment to include an assessment for each type of outing and safe procedures for the use of the trampoline  develop planning and assessment to make it an effective tool in showing how observations are used to identify learning priorities and plan for each child  develop the partnership with parents, encouraging a two-way flow of information about children's learning and development.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded from the risk of abuse or neglect as the childminder and her household have the necessary checks to ensure that they are suitable to care for children. The childminder has a clear safeguarding policy and has attended training in this area. She has a secure knowledge of safeguarding procedures and would act appropriately if she had a concern about the welfare of a child. The childminder has completed a risk assessment covering the inside and outside areas of her home and makes daily checks of her environment. Relevant safety equipment is in place, for example, magnetic cupboard catches and a stair gate, which is used when necessary. However, the risk assessment is not fully effective as some important aspects are not covered, for example, the trampoline and the outside gate which is damaged and has some sharp edges. Children are well supervised and told the rules when playing on the trampoline. However, the

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the early years provision

childminder has not developed procedures for its safe use and is not clear about the manufacturer's guidelines. This equipment is also becoming worn and this has not been identified in the risk assessment. The childminder keeps children safe on outings and considers safety issues before going out, including helping children to learn about road safety. However, she has not included in her record a risk assessment for each type of outing. Children are protected from the risk of fire as they practise a fire evacuation so they learn what to do in the event of a fire or emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder stores a wide range of resources in her conservatory. She selects items which she knows children will be interested in and children can ask to fetch further items from the storage area. The childminder has some resources which reflect our diverse society and encourages children to develop respect for each other. The childminder has made some improvements since the last inspection. However, she has failed to fully address the recommendation regarding complaints. She has set up a system for recording complaints and made Ofsted's number available for parents but she does not have a clearly defined complaints policy, in line with regulations, to share with parents. Other policies and procedures have been reviewed in line with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). She completed a self-evaluation some time ago and uses her links with her childminding network to help her keep up to date and to identify some areas of

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good relationship with parents and is very adaptable, meeting the needs of different families. Parents are given the policies to read so This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they are informed about the setting. A regular daily exchange of information takes place about the children to keep parents informed about what they have been doing. The childminder has begun to keep records of children's play and learning but is not yet sharing these with parents or encouraging them to contribute their own knowledge of children's learning and development. The childminder has links with other local providers and is aware of the need to share information about individual children's learning and development when they attend other settings delivering the EYFS.

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and outcomes for children

Children make satisfactory progress. They are happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder knows them well and provides toys which she knows will interest them, for example, providing small world play for children who particularly like this kind of play. Children benefit from a range of suitable activities, such as going out to a toddler group, the library and the park. The childminder has begun to make observations of children's play and is using these to help her decide how to help children on to the next step in their development. However, she is not yet using observations systematically to plan for each child.

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and outcomes for children

Children communicate confidently with the childminder because they feel secure in her care. She listens to them sensitively and encourages their language and communication. Children enjoy stories on the childminder's lap. The childminder introduces counting and numbers as they play and uses their interests to develop this, for example, children's interest in the 'Number Jacks' programme. Children learn about the world around them through outings and walks out when they talk about what they see or activities such as cookery. Children have opportunities for messy play on outings to messy play sessions. They use their imaginations as they play with small world play and the childminder talks to them about what they are doing to extend their play. Children walk out on most days and can play in the large garden where some physical play equipment is available to help them develop skills of coordination. Children are given some choices in their play and ask

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and outcomes for children

if they want additional items out. They are learning some independence skills as they wash their hands in the bathroom. Outings to the toddler group help children to develop social skills and play alongside and with other children.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health is suitably promoted. Sound hygiene procedures are in place. Children are encouraged to wash their hands before they eat and the childminder shows them how to do this properly. Children are able to ask for a snack when they are hungry and are provided with healthy options such as toast and fresh fruit. They are able to access drinks when they need them. The childminder provides lunches for those parents who require them and offers a balanced menu. Some discussion takes place about what foods make us healthy to help children to learn about a healthy lifestyle. Children walk to local amenities and so get plenty of fresh air. Documentation is kept in an orderly fashion and records are in place to meet children's health and medical needs. Parents are advised of the sickness policy to protect children from the risk of infection. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as the childminder practises road safety with them, encouraging

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and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them to stop and listen when they cross the road. Children behave well because they are settled, secure and occupied. They are learning skills for the future as they are helped to progress in their learning and form relationships. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 develop a written statement of procedures to be followed in relation to complaints which relate to the requirements of the Childcare Register and which a parent makes in writing (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 30/11/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as identified in the Early Years report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 16/11/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as stated to meet the requirements of the complusory part of the Childcare Register (Procedures for dealing with complaints) 30/11/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as identified in the Early Years report (Suitability and safety of premises and equipment). 16/11/2009

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