Leach, Caroline Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY390477 Inspection date 12/10/2010 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 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 2009. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 10 and four years in St Neots in Cambridgeshire. The whole of the ground floor and the small child's bedroom is used for childminding purposes. There are no access issues. There is a fully secure garden for outdoor play. The family have two hamsters.

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Description of the childminding

When working with assistant, the childminder is registered to care for a maximum of seven children at any one time, five of which may be in the early years age range. She operates all year round and offers overnight care. There are currently seven children on roll all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The care for children aged over five years is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children who have English as an additional language.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are comfortable in the provision where they are making acceptable progress in their learning and development. The childminder has sound relationships with parents which enable her to generally obtain secure knowledge about children's families, home lives and individual needs.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a basic understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The procedures for assessing children's development towards the early learning goals are in their infancy. The childminder has a suitable understanding of the areas for development, this helps promote outcomes for children.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure that risk assessments are carried out to identify and minimise risks and keep a record in line with requirements to ensure children's safety at all times (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 26/10/2010

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further?

 request written permission from parents at the time of a child's admission to the provision, to the seeking of any necessary emergency medical advice or treatment in the future (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 26/10/2010 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 continue to develop systems for observational assessments to plan consistently for the next steps in children's learning and ensure that these are effectively shared and discussed with parents  provide opportunities to help children begin to explore and question differences in ethnicity, religion, culture, special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded as the childminder has a satisfactory understanding of effective working practices. For example, all adults in the household are vetted for suitability. The childminder understands her responsibility to keep children safe. Most documentation required to safeguard children is in place. She has conducted some written risk assessments; however, these do not cover all areas used by children inside and outside. This is a breach of regulation. Sound daily practice and ongoing explanations from the childminder help children build up their understanding of keeping themselves safe. For example, they are aware of issues relating to road safety and practise safe procedures each time they are out. The childminder holds a current first aid certificate; however she does not have written consent from parents to obtain emergency medical treatment or advice. This does not ensure that all children are cared for in an emergency without delay. This is a

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to making changes to her practice that improve outcomes for children. For example, continued professional development through training and working with the local development worker. The childminder understands the importance of working in partnership with parents or carers and others involved in children's care and learning to ensure that information is consistent and complemented. Information about the child's time at the setting is exchanged both verbally and in a daily diary. The childminder is aware of the children's home languages, but has yet to fully use this information in her setting to enable children to learn about their culture and the cultures of others. Some toys and activities reflect diversity of the local community; however for children with English as an additional language there are limited resources and activities for them to fully develop a sense of belonging.

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and outcomes for children

Children are generally happy and settled in the childminder's care. The childminder has a secure awareness of children's individual routines and needs, gathered from children's personal records which are completed by parents helping children to feel settled. They benefit from going on outings to local places of interest and have opportunities to use the suitable range of toys and equipment within the childminder's home. The childminder spends time playing with and talking to the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children. She sits at the same level as the children as they play and there is lots of interaction and smiles. The childminder follows the routines of younger children's individual daily routines to provide a secure and familiar environment. Children's developing language skills are supported as the childminder commentates throughout the day and responds to younger children talking. Children have

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and outcomes for children

opportunities to engage in creative activities such as painting. Some examples of their work are kept in a scrap book to share with parents.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has recently begun to observe and assess children as they play to enable her to monitor where children are at in their learning. She is beginning to use this information to help her plan the next steps for each child to support them in moving forward. Overall, the childminder is guided by the children's choice of activity when they arrive. She ensures a range of age appropriate toys are accessible and she uses her knowledge of children's preferences to help her provide activities which will encourage children to reach their full potential in all areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have opportunities to develop physically; they ride bikes, scooters and bounce on the trampoline. During visits to the woods, they enjoy searching for conkers and ask questions about how conkers grow. Children develop problem- solving, numeracy and reasoning skills, as they build towers with bricks and enjoy piecing together puzzles. Children's creativity is developing through painting and colouring a selection of pictures.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and well-being are supported by the childminder, who maintains good standards of hygiene around the home to protect children from risk of infection. The childminder works in partnership with parents regarding the provision of food and drink. She has an appropriate understanding of safety and takes reasonable steps to ensure that the environment is safe and suitable for children to use. The childminder encourages children's confidence and promotes their social learning. For example, she helps children understand their feelings and helps them to share and take turns. The childminder acts as a positive role model and shares warm relationships with the children. She is calm, patient and polite. Consequently, the children feel secure and content in the childminder's care. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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