Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY246066 Inspection date 08/10/2010 Inspector Anne Schurek

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder registered in February 2003. She lives with her husband and 11 year old daughter in the town of St. Neots, in Cambridgeshire. There are no access issues. All of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding with the exception of the front lounge. There is a first floor bedroom for children requiring undisturbed sleep. Children have access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog and a cat.

p.4

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 three children in this age group of all of whom are part-time. She also offers care to children aged over five years and this provision is registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. Children on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register share the same facilities as those on the Early Years Register.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's understanding of the Early Years Foundation Stage is excellent and children's welfare and learning and development needs are extensively met. The childminder obtains comprehensive information from parents to help her to identify children's differences ensuring that inclusion is fully embedded throughout her practice. Children are extremely safe in the childminder's care. She liaises very well with parents and keeps them well-informed of their children's progress. The childminder is reflective of her practice and has identified areas for her own development through her own self-evaluation and is fully committed to continually improving the service she provides for children and their parents.

p.4

further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

p.4

further?

 continuing to develop observation, assessment and planning to identify children's next steps.

p.4

the early years provision

Children are safeguarded very well because the childminder has an excellent understanding of her duty to protect children. She has thorough procedures to follow if she has concerns about their safety and welfare, which have been recently updated through training. All adults in the household are suitably vetted. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has exemplary systems for keeping children safe during outings, such as wrist bands with emergency contact details in case they get lost. If anything was to happen to the childminder, she carries a card for all of the children with their picture, date of birth, emergency contact number and details of their GP. The childminder has developed and implemented a detailed range of policies and documentation to support her business. Records and policies are meticulously completed and reviewed regularly to ensure that all children are cared for in a safe

p.4

the early years provision

and secure environment. The childminder organises her environment very effectively. She has a number of comprehensive written risk assessments on all areas of the home and for outings, identifying and minimising any risks to children. A wide range of high quality toys and resources are readily available to children, enabling them to choose and access toys independently. The enabling environment is bright and attractive with excellent displays of children's work and positive images of other children, promoting equality and diversity. Children are encouraged to talk and discuss activities which they have previously been involved in, or places they have visited. Children's photographs are displayed and they are encouraged to complete their own scrap book detailing activities and places they have visited that they have enjoyed. This encourages children to talk and discuss activities which they have previously been involved in, or places they have visited.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is very well prepared for children to attend, with activities and resources ready and waiting for them. This ensures that each child can make choices easily and that they receive a balanced range of activities across all areas of learning.

p.5

the early years provision

Positive relationships with parents are fostered with detailed information on each child being exchanged. This includes children's personal routines, preferences and interests being recorded and used to ensure their individual needs are fully met. Detailed daily diaries provide an excellent method for keeping parents fully informed of each child's day, their welfare and any achievements. Extensive and well maintained documents show children's progress and development through annotated photographs and observation records. The childminder clearly recognises the child's current stage of learning and links this to the various areas of learning. This is evaluated and children's next developmental steps are identified and planned for. Parents are involved in this system. They are provided with a welcome pack which details activities offered and how each child's individual needs will be cater for through a coherent learning programme. The childminder is aware

p.5

the early years provision

of establishing and maintaining positive links with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children. For example, she meets with the children's key workers from pre-school to share written and verbal information about the child's abilities, likes and dislikes. This provides the key worker with a starting point to ensure continuity of care for the children's learning and development.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder maintains continuous improvement of her business through the use of her reflective self-evaluation processes. She uses questionnaires to seek feedback from parents and pictures from the children about the activities and things they enjoy at her setting. She has a genuine relationship with the parents. This ensures that they feel able to make comment and contribute to any improvements for children. For example, a parent requested the contact numbers of other parent's in-case of an emergency. The childminder valued this request and wrote to all the parents to seek permission to share their details with other This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 parents. The childminder is committed to attending further training and keeping up-to-date with changes through her links with the local authority and the groups she attends.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are making outstanding progress because the childminder has extensive knowledge of how children develop and learn. She ensures that she puts her knowledge and skills into practice for the benefit of all children at their different stages of development. Excellent systems are in place to ensure that children enjoy, interact and learn from the range of activities that she provides. The quality of planning for individuals is of a very high standard and takes account of children's different interests and learning styles. Children are encouraged to create their own reflective story of what their interests are by completing their own scrap book with pictures and annotated photographs. Resources are stimulating, challenging and age-appropriate. Children's independence is promoted as they have opportunities to make decisions on what they would like to play with and are able to self-select.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's personal, social and emotional development is very strong. Young children are happy and settled because the childminder fully addresses their emotional security. Parents are encouraged to settle their child in gradually so that a relationship with the child can become established and grow. Children are expected to respect themselves, and respect each others feelings and possessions. A high priority is given to raising children's self-esteem and the childminder ensures that they are praised and encouraged. Sticker awards effectively promote positive behaviour. Children's creativity is promoted as they express themselves through art and craft activities, move to music and repeat situations familiar to themselves as they use role-play resources.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children learn across several areas of learning as they take part in an activity, for example, baking. Children count out spoonfuls of ingredients, using scales, mix the ingredients and recognise when the measurements get to 10 and then a 100. They talk about what they see, smell and taste. The children eagerly listen to the childminder's challenging questions as they play a clock game. The childminder asks the children 'who has a picture of a roller skater at 9am?'. They are encouraged to notice words and numbers linking to the time as they play. They develop awareness of early calculations as the childminder asks one child to give her, and another child, two cards each. They are using numbers as they count out savoury biscuits at snack time. The childminder encourages counting, colour and shape recognition in accordance with each child's level of development. The childminder continually supports children's language development, taking her time

p.6

and outcomes for children

to ensure she understands and listens to all children's comments, asking relevant, open-ended questions to encourage them to think. Children enjoy stories and will select books themselves to look at. They visit the library regularly. They handle the books carefully turning the pages with care. Children are confident talkers using a range of good vocabulary both during their play and daily interactions, for example, describing a new pair of boots. Children are becoming independent as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they manage their coats and shoes and tidy up after themselves, tidying away toys when they have finished playing. They have extensive opportunities to socialise with other children and to co-operate and share the toys. The childminder has excellent knowledge about each child's abilities and what they enjoy doing and skilfully supports children in their developing knowledge of self-control. Children

p.6

and outcomes for children

learn to use good manners and know the simple house rules, such as sitting at the table to eat and drink. The childminder provides children with excellent resources and activities for them to learn about each other and the world around them. For example, children visited the local Indian restaurant and tasted various Indian foods, dressed up in Indian dress and danced to Indian music.

p.7

and outcomes for children

Children's safety and good health is promoted excellently as stringent procedures are in place. The childminder continually raises children's awareness of personal safety as they practise the fire drill and she talks to them about stranger danger, pet safety and road safety. Children are active and understand the benefits of physical activity. They enjoy a range of outdoor experiences such as walks in the local community, visits to the Butterfly Park and Stanwick Lakes. They gain confidence and skills with the use of challenging physical play equipment at the park. Children develop an awareness of their own growth needs in relation to other living things, for example, by planting and caring for fruit and vegetables. Parents provide nutritious meals and the childminder provides healthy snacks. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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

p.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.8

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 1

p.8

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

p.8

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.9