Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY396952 Inspection date 13/05/2010 Inspector Anne Schurek

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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 registered in 2009. She lives with her partner and their daughter, aged six, in Eynesbury in St Neots, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the childminder's house, except the main bedroom, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play. There are no access issues to the premises. There are local schools, parks and shops in close proximity. There are shops and parks within walking distance. The family has a cat and a rabbit.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children under eight, of whom three may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age group. The childminder also offers care to children over five years. Children occupying these places share the same facilities as the children in the early years age range. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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

Children's individuality is respected by the childminder. She offers a welcoming environment and provides caring support so that children are able to feel secure to participate fully in all activities and play opportunities. Effective partnerships with parents and sound relationship with others help to ensure consistency in children's care and education. The childminder takes positive steps to promote welfare through established routines for health, minimising risks and demonstrates a very good safeguarding awareness. The childminder has yet to begin to implement formal systems to monitor and evaluate the provision and ensure improvements in her service and 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 the observation and assessment systems to identify the next steps in children's learning and development  provide younger children with greater opportunities to learn and understand about diversity and differing needs of others, further enhancing inclusive practice for all  develop systems for self-evaluation in order to help to promote continuous improvement to the provision and outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded because the childminder has a clear understanding of her duty of care to protect children and of the procedure she This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 must follow if she has concerns about their safety and welfare. The childminder ensures that all persons required undertake the appropriate checks to safeguard children. Effective risk assessments are in place for the premises and equipment, relating to inside, outside and outings, and these are reviewed annually or when the need arises. The premises is well-maintained and there are effective safety measures in place to minimise risks of accident or injury to children. Children's health and safety is also protected because the childminder has maintained a current first aid certificate and public liability insurance. All records pertaining to injury and illness meet the requirements, including parental permission to seek

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is securely promoted because the childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. All children are making good progress within the six areas of learning. They enjoy participating in a range of adult-led and child-initiated activities, delivered through indoor and outdoor play. However, the childminder has yet to fully develop the observation and assessment system to accurately monitor children's progress with each area of learning and use this information more clearly to identify and plan for each child's next steps. Young children begin to explore with close supervision, forming affectionate relationships and developing a sense of security in their surroundings.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's inclusion into all activities and life of her provision. However, whilst they freely access a broad range of resources and activities, younger children have fewer opportunities to explore those which reflect positive images of themselves and others. The relationship with parents is good, settling in assessments are completed by parents and carers, and these are detailed to enable them to be used as a base for developing the planning of children's activities in the initial stages. Parents are fully encouraged to comment or actively record their own observations within the records. They are well- informed, through a number of ways, on how children are progressing and the service that is provided, for example, daily written diaries, written policies and procedures and daily verbal dialogue. The childminder values the parent's role and encourages them to share what they know about their child so that she is able to

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the early years provision

meet their individual needs effectively. Parents confirm that, 'children really love going to spend time with the childminder' and that they are provided with information about every day activities and about their child's day. Links with other settings will be established when children attend these, to ensure that she can offer children well-rounded care.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the benefits to children of evaluating her practice. Although the childminder has no formal self-evaluation system in place, she has reflected on her practice, and has continued to make improvements since registration. For example, she has improved the garden area for children and she has also identified further areas for improvement, such as extending her knowledge and understanding through relevant early years training. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a safe, secure home and they have built close relationships with the childminder and approach her for physical comfort and reassurance, which contributes to their sense of belonging and well-being. The childminder's good understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage and her knowledge of each child means that she is aware of their individual interests. She regularly plans activities for the children based on her observations and generally uses the assessment procedures to identify the next steps in their learning. Children make decisions about what they would like to play with and have access to a wide range of toys, furniture and equipment to effectively meet their needs. For example, babies and toddlers enjoy musical instruments, banging drums and shaking rattles. They have access to the garden, which is equipped with a slide, rockers, ride on tractor, balls and play house, to promote their physical skills and

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the childminder's purposeful interaction with them. She is fully engaged with the children at all times as she continually chats to the children as they play, forming simple conversation with them, which helps them to develop their communication skills. Babies make their feelings known through squealing and baby babble and the childminder communicates well, using facial expressions and body language. The childminder ensures that she is a good role model and that children develop an awareness of consideration for others, sharing and turn taking. Children develop good manipulative skills as they play puzzles, small world play and building bricks. They have fun with paint, and enjoy the feeling of sand and clay through their fingers. Children show an interest in nature and the world around them. They enjoy digging in the garden, planting seedlings and learning how things grow. Children have regular opportunities to count, for example, while

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and outcomes for children

playing with blocks the childminder encourages then to count how many they have, to sort and match the colours and introduces them to language such as big, small, in, on top of and under, so they gain a concept of size and positioning. The children sort toys, look at and read books together with the childminder, develop writing and mark making skills and use a range of information communication and technology equipment, enabling them to develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

Children explore physical play, both indoors and outside. Younger children pull themselves to standing and play with activity walkers, or stand beside furniture supported by the childminder. They laugh and smile, showing how confident they are. The childminder offers appropriate support to children to help them understand the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. They have constant access to drinks and bring lunches from home. The childminder has effective nappy changing procedures in place to cut out cross infection. She has appropriate procedures in place to deal with sickness and administer medication. Children have ample opportunity to socialise as they regularly go to toddler groups and go on walks in the local community to visit the shops and feed the ducks. Children learn about road safety in the community and the childminder regularly practises the fire evacuation procedures so that children are aware of procedures to follow in

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and outcomes for children

emergencies. Children's emotional development is promoted as they develop This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 secure, trusting relationships with the childminder. The consistent boundaries and the ongoing explanations about the behaviour further promote children's sense of security and enable them to develop their understanding of appropriate behaviour. 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 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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