Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY399345 Inspection date 07/05/2010 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 registered in 2009 and lives in Cambridge city with her husband and four children, aged two, four and five years old. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. When working alone she can accept a maximum of two children under eight, both of whom can be in the early years age group. When working with assistants, a maximum of eight children can be accepted, six of whom can be in the early years age group. There are currently five children in the early years age group on roll.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children mainly use the lower ground floor of the house and there is an enclosed courtyard area for outdoor activities. Access to the home is by several steep steps and the main living area is reached via an internal staircase; the courtyard area is on two levels. The childminder is a director of the Cambridge Hebrew School. The childminding service has been set up to mainly cater for local Jewish families. 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 warm, friendly family environment where children play and learn in safety. Children are happy and confident and have developed firm friendships with each other. Inclusive practice is promoted well because the childminder treats all the children as individuals and she provides well for their diverse languages and family backgrounds. Generally the provision is well- organised, enabling children to make good progress in their learning. The childminder is beginning to evaluate her service and shows she has a good capacity to identify improvements and therefore sustain the quality of her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of observation, assessement and planning in order to meet each child's individual needs and enable them to make good progress towards the early learning goals  increase opportunities for children to play independently and make their own choices about their play  develop further outdoor play so children enjoy rich and varied learning experiences; where possible link the indoor and outdoor environments so children can move freely between them. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear safeguarding policy and procedure that follows the guidance from the Local Safeguarding Children Board. She and her assistants keep children under close supervision and protect them from unvetted adults. Written risk assessments cover all aspects of the setting, including outings, which help keep children safe. Children learn to keep themselves safe, for example, they practise the emergency evacuation plan. All essential documentation is well- organised and shared appropriately with parents. Relationships with parents are warm and friendly. The childminder collects good information on placement about children’s preferences and abilities so she can effectively meet each child’s needs. Daily conversations with parents, along with weekly newsletters, keep them well- informed about routines and activities, enabling them to share in their children’s experiences in the setting.

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the early years provision

Generally the childminder organises the provision well. Rooms used by the minded children are bright and welcoming, with examples of their artwork displayed to make them feel at home. Resources are age appropriate and set out to attract children’s attention, for instance, a low bookshelf encourages children to explore the books. However, the routines of the day sometimes limit children's opportunities to make independent decisions about their play. The childminder and her assistant support the children as they play, engaging them in conversation and helping them with their activities. Although there are no children on roll who have special educational needs or disabilities, the childminder would consult with parents and other professionals as appropriate. Children who have English as an additional language are supported well with a range of books, music and other resources that reflect their diverse home languages. At present, none of the

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the early years provision

children on roll attend other settings, but the childminder states she is aware of the importance of partnership working and would work with other providers to ensure consistency.

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the early years provision

The childminder is developing systems to evaluate and improve the service and has ambitious plans for the future. She has sought advice from the Early Years Service and has commenced the Local Authority Quality Framework. She has identified and implemented some improvements, such as offering children opportunities to plant and grow herbs and vegetables.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder knows them well, she settles them in sensitively and maintains close links with parents. The childminder takes photographs and keeps samples of children's work to help her plan for children's learning, but generally systems to observe and assess what children can do are at an early stage and are not yet effective in planning for future learning. Children are settled and confident in the childminder's home, they show sound friendships with each other and play happily This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 together. The childminder's own children are very much part of the provision and contribute positively to the warm, family atmosphere. Behaviour is good, with older children showing care and consideration for younger ones, for example, offering to share the trikes.

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and outcomes for children

Books are readily available to support children's growing interest and they sit and concentrate well as the childminder reads to them. Children are beginning to recognise letters and numbers in print, pointing to names in their home made books or pushing the number buttons on an electronic till. Problem solving skills are supported well as they make simple puzzles, matching shapes and colours confidently. They sing songs together and make music with instruments. Varied resources reflect children's diverse home languages, for example, books, posters and pictures. The childminder helps children learn about their own identities and cultures and those of others through various activities, such as exploring different countries using books and maps. They frequently explore their local area, visiting local parks to play on large equipment, or collecting leaves for collage. Although children benefit from fresh air and exercise on a daily basis, activities in the

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and outcomes for children

outdoor areas do not yet offer children a rich and varied learning experience, nor are children always enabled to freely access the outdoor spaces.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from home cooked kosher meals that are nutritious and appealing. They enjoy fresh fruit and cereals for snacks and often take an active part in food preparation, for instance, they help to make Challah bread and choose poppy or sesame seeds to sprinkle on top. The childminder helps children find out where their food comes from in practical ways, such as planting beans. Children learn good habits as they wash their hands frequently and help clean the tables prior to eating. All areas of the home are clean and hygienic, minimising the risk of cross 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 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 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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