Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY390266 Inspection date 09/12/2009 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

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 2009. She lives with her partner and two children aged seven and 13 in a village near Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is available for childminding and there is an enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age group. She is currently minding two children on a part-time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register.

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Description of the childminding

The family has one dog. 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder works with parents to ensure children are settled in her care; she understands each child’s individual needs and this helps them to feel safe and secure. All of the required documentation to promote children’s welfare is in place. The childminder is aware of the strengths and areas for improvement of her provision. The childminder provides a sound range of activities to help children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. She suitably deploys her resources so that children can make some independent choices about their play and become active learners.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements in the framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to effectively support and extend each child’s learning in all areas  gather and develop the use of information about children's learning to record their progress towards the Early Learning Goals  develop an effective system for evaluating the early years provision in order to maintain continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder understands her role in safeguarding children and is clear about the appropriate procedures to put into practice when necessary which means children are kept safe from harm. The provision is suitably organised and the childminder is clear about notifying Ofsted of any changes. The childminder undertakes daily checks of the premises and has a written risk assessment in place This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to ensure children’s safety. The childminder carefully supervises children as they play, making sure her home is secure so that children cannot leave unattended. Documentation is in place to promote the welfare of children such as daily attendance records and parental consents.

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the early years provision

The childminder has sound relationships with parents; she gathers information from them so that she understands children's individual interests and needs and can provide a consistency of care. Parents receive verbal feedback each so that they know about their child’s day and the childminder sends texts during the day so parents can be reassured about their child. The childminder promotes inclusion appropriately as she makes sure the activities on offer suitably meet children's individual needs. The childminder is beginning to identify some areas of strength and areas which require development. However the system for monitoring and evaluating the provision is not fully effective as positive outcomes for children are not clearly identified.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder understands children's individual interests; they enjoy their activities with the childminder and they take part in suitable play opportunities that help them to learn and develop. However, the childminder does not have a clear enough knowledge and understanding of learning and development requirements of the EYFS to effectively support and extend each child’s learning and development. The childminder observes children at play, but does not keep a record of children’s progress so the information gained from her observations of children is not used to identify the next steps in each child’s learning and plan activities which build on their interests.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a relaxed environment where children are clearly relaxed and comfortable in her care. For example, they enjoy cuddles when they are upset and readily show affection for the childminder which means they feel secure and safe. Children gain some awareness of the wider community as they visit local amenities and enjoy visits to the local country park to feed the ducks. Children develop their small muscle skills with activities such as drawing and painting, and they competently feed themselves as their coordination skills develop. Children are developing independence as they help themselves to toys and books that the childminder provides. The childminder has appropriate systems in place to care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children learn problem solving skills as they operate simple equipment such as push and play or pop-up toys; they show curiosity as they find out how things work and observe as they

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and outcomes for children

make the drum spin round. Children’s early literacy skills are developing; they enjoy looking at books and pointing to what they see as they share stories with the childminder. These simple activities begin to lay the foundations to support the children’s future economic well-being.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy opportunities for plenty of fresh air and exercise as they walk regularly to local amenities. The childminder gathers clear information from parents about children’s dietary requirements and this ensures children can eat This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safely. Appropriate procedures are in place for recording accidents and medication; the childminder ensures she is able to respond appropriately if children have an accident as she has completed an appropriate first aid qualification. The childminder helps children to gain an awareness of how to keep safe, both in the home and on outings; they learn about how to cross the road safely and they practice the fire drill so that they know what to do in an emergency. 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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