Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY407573 Inspection date 14/10/2010 Inspector Melanie Eastwell

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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 two children aged eight years in St. Neots, Cambridgeshire close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the ground floor, three upstairs bedrooms and the bathroom are used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have four cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care for children aged over five years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and 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

A well-developing knowledge of each child's needs makes sure the childminder successfully promotes children's welfare and learning. Children are safe and secure and they benefit from the childminder's gentle and sensitive interaction with them. The excellent partnerships with parents are a key strength and, along with the partnership working with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage are significant in making sure the needs of all children are met. This means that children begin to progress well, given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder has begun to implement systems to evaluate and reflect on her practice which identifies some areas she is keen to continue to develop.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the systems for observation and assessment to ensure the records link together in order to clearly demonstrate children's progression.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very well organised with her childminding commitments which ensures she is able to provide each child with good levels of individual attention. She has developed very well-presented documentation, policies and procedures that are kept fully up to date and are clearly reflected in her daily activity. The childminder is very keen to keep her knowledge up to date, she has attended a number of training courses and workshops and has plans to continue with this development. Children are well safeguarded because the childminder demonstrates This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 a good understanding of the procedures to follow in the event of any child protection concerns and she is pro-active in keeping detailed risk assessments in order to reduce risks to children. She is vigilant in her supervision and children are able to explore and be curious about their surroundings and the activities available

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the early years provision

to them because the childminder encourages them to be confident in her home.

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the early years provision

The partnerships with parents are excellent. The childminder makes every effort to ensure they are kept fully up to date and involved with their child's progress. For example, she records detailed information in each child's daily diary about their individual routines and the activities they have enjoyed. These diaries also contain photographs taken each day which reassures parents that their child is happy and settled in the childminder's home. Daily information for babies and toddlers include records of sleep times, nappy changes and food intake. Parents are encouraged to write in the diary to share information about what the child has done at home and most parents are involved in this sharing. Parents have access to a notice board situated in the entrance porch and they receive newsletters about the childminder's plans and other relevant information. Parents are provided with a pack when their children start attending that gives detailed information about the

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the early years provision

childminder's routine, activities and also her own family as well as copies of the policies and procedures. The childminder has only recently commenced childminding and she intends to keep parents fully involved in their child's learning and development records. The childminder demonstrates her skill in working in partnership for the benefit of the children. She has developed partnerships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage, such as, a local pre- school to share planning and achievement records in order to provide a consistent approach and a smooth transition for the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has begun the process of self-evaluation. Although, she has only recently commenced childminding she is beginning to identify her priorities for future development and has been responsive in making changes to her practice, such as, providing records for parents in a diary rather than on daily sheets which has prompted them to share information from home. Through discussion and the considerable effort already invested into her business, the childminder demonstrates a good capacity for continuous improvement to her practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure in the childminder's home. They are familiar with the daily routines and are confident to explore the wide range of very well-maintained play materials and resources. The childminder has a dedicated playroom that is extremely attractive to children because it displays posters and photographs and the toys are easily accessible from low-level boxes and units. The childminder supports toddlers to make decisions about their play. For example, offering boxes of interesting items for them to look through and providing activities that she knows they are interested in. Children enjoy choosing their own books and finding musical toys that they explore by turning them over in their hands and bobbing up and down to the tune when they press the button. Children enjoy the gentle and sensitive interaction from the childminder who is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

skilled in anticipating their need to be independent and when to get involved. She talks to the children about what they are doing and tells them what is coming next in the daily routine. Children show that they have a bond with the childminder and approach her for comfort and reassurance. They enjoy sitting on her knee and snuggling in for a cuddle when they are tired.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has begun to develop systems to observe and assess the children's progress. She watches them play in order to find out what they like to do and uses this information as well as details from parents relating to their achievements at home in order to plan their next steps and activities to help them to be successful. Planning is recorded for each child according to their individual interests and the childminder records spontaneous and more detailed observations and uses these alongside the Practice Guidance document in order to identify their next steps in learning. However, because the childminder has only recently started childminding she has not yet linked the records together. She is keen to continue to develop her systems for planning and assessment in order to clearly show children's progression and to show a balance of information across the six areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children begin to develop an awareness of maintaining effective personal hygiene. For example, they have individual hand towels and visual reminders such as posters displayed in the bathroom and in the conservatory for them to see. The childminder reinforces this awareness through ongoing discussion about germs and the importance of handwashing with them. Children's dietary needs are met because the childminder produces a planned sample menu that is shared with parents and takes account of any specific requirements. She is happy to provide homecooked meals for the children and they enjoy sitting with her to eat at meal and snack times. Children are encouraged to try new foods as appropriate following discussion with their parents.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a wide range of very well-planned and creative activities that cover all the areas of learning. They show a real sense of ownership of their daily diaries and the older children decide which photographs are included each day for their parents. The childminder works hard to treat them all as individuals and to recognise and celebrate diversity. For example, she has a range of dressing-up clothes, games and music that is available to the children and they recently enjoyed an outing to an Indian restaurant. Children are supported to share and to work together, lots of discussion takes place around thinking of others and to support children to separate from their parents. The childminder shows a real commitment to her work with the children and they benefit from her professional yet relaxed approach. 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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