Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY405997 Inspection date 17/09/2010 Inspector ISP Inspection

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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 assesses 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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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 2010. She lives with her husband and their two children aged seven and four years in Great Paxton, Cambridgeshire. The childminder uses the whole of the house for childminding, except for the music room on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. There are no access issues. The family has two dogs and a cat. The childminder walks to the local school to collect children and takes them to the local park.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder provides care on each weekday during term-time and school holidays. She is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of three children in the early years age range and is currently minding six children in this age group, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years and this provision is registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently six children on roll in this age group. Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years 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 are happy and settled due to the childminder's commitment to meeting their individual needs. She offers a safe, welcoming environment so that all children are able to feel secure to participate fully in all activities and play opportunities. The strong partnership with parents and pre-school is significant in making sure that the welfare and learning needs of all children are met. As a result children make good progress in all areas of their development.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has yet to develop a formal system of self-evaluation to monitor and evaluate the provision, however, she has verbally identified areas for development, and has plans for further enhancement to improve 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 systems to monitor and evaluate the provision to ensure continuous improvement is promoted  improve opportunities to broaden children's knowledge and understanding of different festivals and events around the world  continue to develop the evacuation drills to include a fire log record of any problems encountered and how they were resolved. 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's clear policies and safeguarding procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare of children and ensure that they are fully protected. She has completed safeguarding training, as part of the childminder registration course and knows to record any existing injuries. She ensures that checks are carried out on all adults in the household.

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the early years provision

The childminder undertakes daily safety checks for all areas prior to use by children. This identifies and minimises possible risks and also ensures appropriate safety equipment is in place, such as safety gates and cupboard locks. The childminder has an up-to-date first aid certificate and there is a clear policy to exclude children who are sick. Each child has a comprehensive set of well- maintained records and all parents are provided with a set of policies and procedures in their parent pack. Parents are kept well-informed through daily verbal and written communication as well as a notice board in the hallway. Links are made with children's pre-school so that the childminder can provide well- rounded continuity of care.

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the early years provision

The home and resources are very well organised to ensure that children are able to self-select toys and resources. For example, the play room is equipped with a broad range of toys in open boxes, craft materials, shelves are full of books and the walls display many pictures completed by the children. Photographs also encourage children's interest in what they see around them. The childminder observes and assesses children's progress and charts this on a computerised system, using written evidence and photographs to illustrate the various steps in each area of learning. She is able to clearly identify where each child is in their attainment and how the child achieves each step. She effectively uses this information to identify children's next steps and planning for further development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to ensuring that her provision is inclusive for all families. Children have access to a range of resources that reflect positive images and they regularly go out for walks in the local community, for example, to the park and shops. However, they have limited opportunity to broaden their knowledge and understanding of different festivals and events around the world.

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the early years provision

The childminder has made some development in continuous improvements, applying for relevant training and working with advisors from the local authority, however, she has yet to develop her self-evaluation system to monitor her strengths and areas for improvement.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and enjoy themselves in this home-from-home environment. Children are provided with many opportunities to enable them to make good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 progress in all areas of their learning and development. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as the play happily alone or with each other, initiating their own play or having adult-led activities. Children are encouraged to explore, through sensitive support from the childminder. There is a balance between adult- led and child-led activities. Photographs of children at play provide good evidence of children enjoying interesting and stimulating activities. They have opportunities to think for themselves, express their thoughts and ideas and interact with others by sharing and taking turns to explore their environment, either individually or with each other.

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and outcomes for children

Children are stimulated and are able to choose from a wide variety of toys and equipment. These include, creative activities, outings, stories, baking and imaginative play such as mummies and daddies and playing with the tea set making tea. Each child is able to have individual attention throughout the day. This helps the progress they make as they receive time and attention and opportunity to extend their learning. For example, a toddler reaches for chalk and is verbally encouraged by the childminder to mark-make on the blackboard. An older child is encouraged to build a tower with different shapes of different colours.

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and outcomes for children

Regular visits to the library and good planning of activities means that children are gaining an appreciation of books and have many opportunities to extend their language. Children count and calculate throughout the day, compare size and shapes as they fit together and match colours in a variety of activities. For example, at snack time an older child cut his apple up and said, 'I am going to cut it in half' - on accomplishing this, he then said, 'I am now going to cut the apple into little pieces'.

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and outcomes for children

Parent and carers are fully involved in the life of the child at this provision enabling the childminder to find out about their families and the children's likes and dislikes. Children are secure and settled in their environment and are confident as they move between the play room and the kitchen. They have a positive relationship with the childminder who shows them that she enjoys their company, helping them to feel welcomed and valued. They approach her for physical comfort and reassurance which contributes to their sense of belonging. The childminder continually chats to the children as they play forming simple conversation with them, which further helps to develop their communication skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to musical and electronic toys which helps develop their interest in information technology. These activities together, with well-supported communication and language skills support the children's future economic well- being.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to learn about healthy lifestyles. They enjoy regular outdoor exercise and outings, such as walks and playing in the garden. They enjoy healthy nutritious snacks and lunches and are encouraged to keep themselves hydrated by drinking regularly. Children are learning to keep themselves safe, as the childminder guides and closely monitors them when using a special safety knife as they help to cut and prepare apples for snack. This means they are learning to use utensils in a safe manner, encouraged to be independent and understand risk. Children are aware of germs and know that they need to wash their hands well to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 get rid of germs and keep themselves healthy.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder teaches them about road safety as they journey to and from school, and they take part in practicing the evacuation drills. However, the childminder's fire log record lacks details of any problems she has encountered or how these have been resolved which hinders the childrens ability to fully understand safe emergency procedures. The childminder ensures that children are supervised well, ensuring that younger children negotiate the stairs safely and safety is maintained at all times. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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