Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY392797 Inspection date 20/01/2010 Inspector Veronica Sharpe

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 first registered in 2009 and lives with her husband and their three children aged 12, seven and three years in Ely, Cambridgeshire. She is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for up to four children under eight years, two of whom can be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for six children mainly on a part-time basis including two who are within the early years age group.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children use the whole of the premises with the exception of the adult bedroom and an office. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The childminder lives in walking distance of activity groups, pre-schools and the town centre. She uses a car to take and collect children from school. The family has a cat and a 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder offers a good range of enjoyable and challenging activities that take into account each child's likes, dislikes and abilities. She has developed good relationships with parents and effectively involves them in their children's learning and development. All necessary information is collected to ensure the childminder meets children's individual needs and most records are well kept and easily accessible. The childminder's self-evaluation identifies the strengths of the provision and ensures that improvements are well chosen and planned in order to secure increasingly good outcomes for the children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the risk assessments to ensure they cover anything children may come into contact with and include a full risk assessment for any outings.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear safeguarding policy and procedure that is shared with parents. She understands the possible signs and symptoms of child abuse and has recently attended an advanced safeguarding course to extend her ability to keep children safe. Children play in a secure home and the childminder ensures they are suitably supervised to protect them from harm. Written risk assessments cover some aspects of the setting but are basic and do not effectively cover all hazards that children may come into contact with. This means they do not fully protect This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children in the home or on outings.

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the early years provision

Relationships with parents are warm and friendly. The childminder collects good information on placement about children’s preferences and abilities, which enables her to plan routines and activities that effectively meet children’s needs. Parents are encouraged to share in the children’s development records and have opportunities to meet with the childminder to discuss their children’s progress. To ensure her service is inclusive the childminder communicates with parents in various ways, such as daily verbal discussion, email, shared diaries or text messages. Sound relationships with other providers enable the childminder to offer continuity.

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the early years provision

The home is bright and welcoming, with examples of children’s work displayed to make them feel at home. Resources are well deployed to provide a stimulating environment that promotes each child's ability to make independent decisions about their play. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development and this enables her to provide appropriate learning experiences that effectively support children's individual interests and skills. Although there are no children on roll who have special educational needs or disabilities the childminder has a sound understanding of the potential issues involved and would consult with parents and other professionals as appropriate.

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the early years provision

The childminder is ambitious for the future and is keen to develop her knowledge; she is proactive in seeking out training, for example, has recently attended courses on child protection and Level 2 food safety. There is an effective self-evaluation in place that takes into account contributions from both parents and children. This enables the childminder to acknowledge the strengths of the provision and target improvements, for example, she has increased the range of craft activities as a result of input from parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children show trusting relationships with the childminder; as a result they settle quickly and play happily alongside the childminder’s own children. The childminder has a good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and consequently is able to offer a stimulating range of inclusive activities that take into account children's interests and abilities. Children's development records are comprehensive and show a clear picture of what children enjoy, using a mixture of photographs, observations and children's own work. Behaviour is good, enabling children to concentrate on their activities. Older children contribute to simple house rules, which helps to ensure consistency.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about technology in fun, practical ways, for example, they hunt for farm animals in the dark, using wind-up torches to find their way. The childminder promotes their problem solving skills as together they count the animals they have found and decide how many are left in hiding. Large construction equipment and small world toys give children good opportunities to be imaginative as they create roadways and buildings. To promote inclusion and a sense of belonging the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder offers support to younger children so they participate equally alongside the older and more able children.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy regular trips to places of interest and enjoy social contact with other children, for example, as they visit other local childminders or have active exercise at a nearby indoor soft play area. They benefit from a good range of arts and crafts that enable them to develop their knowledge of colour, texture and form. Writing materials are freely available so children become keen mark-makers, which helps them learn essential pre-writing skills. Language development is promoted constantly as the childminder chatters to the children, engaging them in conversations and responding positively to their comments and questions. She reads them books that have a sense of fun with simple rhymes that attract their interest and curiosity. Consequently they are enthusiastic listeners and enjoy handling books.

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and outcomes for children

Children play with a range of resources that promote positive images of diversity, such as books, puzzles and small world toys. They learn about the world around them, for example, as they taste new fruits and find out about food from other lands. Although most children eat meals provided by their parents, the childminder collects information on dietary needs to ensure any supplementary snacks are safe and suitable. She ensures food offered is healthy and nutritious and has a healthy eating policy in place. Children learn safe practices in the home, such as tidying away toys to prevent trip hazards. They practise the emergency evacuation procedure and understand how smoke alarms protect them. All areas of the home are clean and hygienic, helping to ensure children's good health. Handwashing is carefully promoted and the childminder uses paper towels and tissues to minimise the risk of infection. 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 3 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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