Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY390511 Inspection date 09/11/2009 Inspector Carol Brown

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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 applicant lives with her husband and their child, aged 18 months old in Soham, Cambridgeshire. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to care for no more than three children under eight years at any one time, two of these may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for one child in the early years age group, who attends on a part-time basis. Children use the ground floor and the first floor of her home. There is an enclosed rear garden. The childminder lives in walking distance of local schools and play areas. She is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA).

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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 is thorough in planning purposeful learning experiences for each child. She gathers some information from parents and from her own observations and assessment of the children to assess how best to support their progress given their age, stage of development and individual needs. There are clear and effective systems are in place to protect children from harm and keep them safe, these are maintained consistently. The childminder is developing systems of communication with other settings the children may attend, in order to promote continuity and coherence in supporting children to make good progress in their learning and development. She is starting to review her practice to improve outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems of communication with parents and carers for sharing information in relation to children's starting points  develop further resources that present positive images of the wider community to support children's understanding of similarity and difference

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear knowledge of the physical and emotional indicators of abuse and the appropriate action to take to record and report concerns; this is as a result of her undertaking additional training to support her knowledge and understanding of child protection. There are effective procedures in place for the safe arrival and collection of children, as they are only released into the care of a known adult and attendance registers reflect arrival and departure times. There are a good range of polices and procedures in place which are implemented effectively in practise to ensure that children’s needs are appropriately met. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has a number of safety measures in place which assure children’s well being inside and outside of the home, these are clearly identified within the comprehensive written risk assessments. Examples of this include regular practice

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the early years provision

of the evacuation of the premises to ensure that children are familiar with the procedure and the provision of safety gates to prevent babies and toddlers from accessing the first floor and the kitchen unsupervised. The childminder is careful to check the identification of visitors to the setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun to develop systems for self-evaluation and has identified some key strengths and weaknesses and she is working towards improvements in order to bring about better outcomes for the children. The childminder demonstrates an enthusiastic attitude to continuing her professional development and as a result, training remains a priority for her. The childminder is proactive in developing in her knowledge and understanding through research and training. An example of this is that she has completed Early Years Foundation Stage training, paediatric first aid, and training in sensory play for children with special educational needs. The childminder organises her home so that the children can freely choose toys and follow their interests and learn at their own pace. The range of activities enables children to be fully engaged and make good progress in their learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has built meaningful partnerships with parents and carers and offers them valuable support and advice. She takes time to share information through daily discussion and home/childminding diaries. The childminder promotes parents involvement in their child’s learning by sharing written records of their progress and inviting parent’s to comment in their child’s learning journal. However the childminder does not always gather information relating to children’s starting points from parents and carers to enable them to be fully included in their child’s learning. The childminder understands the needs to work in partnership with other settings that the children attend.

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and outcomes for children

Children are learning to keep themselves safe. They negotiate space within the childminder’s home with confidence. Children also demonstrate a sense of safety in the childminder's home, moving freely and showing confidence when playing and being with the childminder. They respond positively to instructions and explanations which promote their well-being and they are developing their understanding of acceptable behaviour. For example, the childminder reminded the child to be careful as he raised the toy broom above his head. The childminder acts as a good role model, as she remains calm and gives children clear and concise explanations. Children have built warm, caring and trusting relationships with the childminder and seek comfort from her when unfamiliar adults enter the home.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a very clear understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and she has taken time to organise systems of observation, assessment and planning in order to build on what children know and can do and help them make This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 as much progress as possible towards the six early learning goals. They are able to self-select from a wide range of interesting resources and exciting activities which offer appropriate challenge. This generally supports their development across all areas of learning. The childminder makes regular observations of the children to ensure that their development is clearly linked to their next steps in learning. Resources that support children’s developing knowledge of information technology are in good supply and children are learning to push buttons to make interactive toys work. However resources that develop children's understanding of the wider

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and outcomes for children

community do not fully support their understanding of similarity and difference within society.

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and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to develop their understanding about the importance of healthy eating and exercise. This is as a result of the childminder introducing nutritious foods and providing regular opportunities for fresh air and physical play. They have regular access drinking water, this helps them to understand their own needs. Children are learning the importance of personal hygiene, for example a young child held his hands out to be wiped by the childminder after touching his outdoor shoes.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder organises trips out and about in the local area, such as to parks and the local library, where children have the opportunity to socialise with others and develop their understanding about the world around them. Overall, children are supported to secure their skills and make good progress in their learning. In addition the childminder is taking steps to ensure resources and the environment remain sustainable. 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 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 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 3 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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