Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY345110 Inspection date 04/11/2009 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 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and six in a village west of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time, of these no more than two may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group, both 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 no pets. 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

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. Most 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. The childminder has a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement and is committed to improving her service for children and families.

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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; ensure parents have opportunities to contribute to these records, sharing what they know about their child  develop the risk assessment further so that outings are included and the record states when it was carried out, by whom, and ensure that it is reviewed regularly  ensure that children’s hours of attendance are recorded accurately.

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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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 knowledge is underpinned by a clear policy which is shared with parents. The childminder undertakes daily checks of the premises and has a written risk assessment in place to ensure children’s safety. However, the risk assessment does not include the date of when it was carried out and does not include information on outings. 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 emergency contact information and accident records. However, children’s hours of attendance are not always

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the early years provision

accurately recorded which potentially affects their safety in an emergency.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with parents; she gathers clear information from them so that she 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, ensuring that they are happy and feel secure to be left in her care. She has begun to develop systems to promote partnership working with other providers who also care for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development which enables her to provide good quality care. She 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. The childminder has a clear and realistic self-evaluation process to identify areas for future development. She has begun to reflect on and evaluate her practice to maintain continuous improvement, ensuring that children have good quality experiences and can make good progress in their learning and development.

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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 contribute to these records in order to share what they know about their child’s progress and help identify the next steps in their learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued and they are clearly relaxed and comfortable in her nurturing care. For example, they enjoy snuggling close to the childminder as they share stories, which means they feel secure and safe. Children’s independence and confidence is 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. Children explore This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their creativity in a good range of art and craft activities because a strong emphasis is placed on developing children’s self–expression. They freely produce drawings and pictures to represent their ideas and these are displayed for others to admire and enjoy. The childminder has sound strategies in place to care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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and outcomes for children

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’s early literacy skills are developing; they enjoy looking at books and talking about what they see as they share stories with the childminder. 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 the toy microwave. Children enjoy visits to places of interest, such as a nature walks to feed the ducks and they walk to the local shops. These simple activities lay the foundations to support the children’s future economic well-being.

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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 learn about crossing the road safely. Children learn about responsible behaviour; they share and are kind to each other because the childminder is consistent and promotes positive behaviour. For example, they take turns with jigsaw puzzles and play happily alongside one another. The childminder encourages children to have a healthy attitude towards food because she ensures they have balanced and nutritious meals and snacks and they take part in cooking activities such as making pizza. Children enjoy opportunities for physical exercise in the garden, park and at ‘soft play’ groups. Visits to activity groups and local amenities give children a chance to socialise and develop relationships within their own community.

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and outcomes for children

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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