Childminder in Peterborough

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY344915 Inspection date 01/02/2011 Inspector Susan Ennis

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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 registered in 2006. She lives in Peterborough, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder has a no pets.

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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 three children in this age group. 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.

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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

The childminder offers a secure and welcoming environment in which all children thrive and where their development is consistently promoted. Her flexible planning ensures that the children's interests are followed and that they enjoy their time with her. The childminder builds trusting relationships with parents, often caring for the children from a very young age. Therefore. she offers a continuity of care for all concerned. Through reflecting on her practice, the childminder has started to identify her strengths and areas for improvement. She is therefore able to make effective changes to improve the daily care and experiences for the children she looks after. She demonstrates a high commitment to her childminding and is enthusiastic about making and sustaining improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve the use of information gathered about children's learning to enhance their good progress towards the early learning goals  update the record of risk assessment to include assessments of all areas used by the children and for each specific outing or trip  develop further the use of reflective practice to highlight your strengths and areas for improvement.

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the early years provision

Effective safeguarding policies and procedures ensure that children are well protected. The childminder has a good knowledge of child protection. She is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 arranging additional training to update her knowledge and has the required contact numbers in place for dealing with concerns should they arise. She ensures that anyone coming into contact with the children is suitable to do so and has arranged emergency cover should she ever not be able to care for the children herself. The childminder uses practical procedures such as daily safety checks for monitoring the environment. This ensures that children can move around freely and with confidence. However, as the formal risk assessments do not cover all areas used by the children, their safety is potentially affected. The childminder has well thought out procedures for taking the children out and about. For example, she

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the early years provision

carries a bag with her containing spare clothes, snacks, a first aid kit and her mobile phone containing all of the children's emergency contact numbers. However, as risk assessments are not completed for each specific outing, children's safety may be affected.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of anti-discriminatory practice, enabling her to provide a service which is inclusive for all children and families. She works closely with parents to ensure that she understands each child's background, needs and beliefs. The childminder effectively helps children learn and understand about the society in which they live and the wider world. Celebrations of festivals such as Diwali and Ramadan are built into planning and the children enjoy tasting foods from other countries including curry with rice. Resources including books, play figures and dressing up clothes all extend the children's experiences. Any issues raised are sensitively approached and discussed in an age-appropriate manner.

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the early years provision

Children's individual development is well promoted because the childminder has effective procedures in place to support, monitor and evaluate their progress. The wide range of available resources is well used and the inclusive, child-friendly environment is conducive to children's learning. Low-level storage enables the children to freely select which toys they want to play with and clear floor space ensures that they have plenty of space to enjoy, for example, music and movement sessions. The childminder also makes good use of the local amenities. She regularly takes the children to the parks and play areas and to the library where they enjoy story time.

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the early years provision

A close and trusting partnership with parents, carers and others involved in the children's lives ensures that all relevant information is shared and a consistent approach given. Organised documentation ensures that parents are fully informed about the childminder's policies and procedures detailing her working ethos and good practice. Verbal interaction, a daily information sheet and the sharing of the children's development files all help to keep the parents effectively informed about their children's day and involved in their developmental progress. The childminder actively works with other settings and agencies to provide the children with an effective continuity of care. For example, she compliments activities carried out at the children's nursery by continuing the theme at home and shares relevant information where possible.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a genuine enjoyment for her work and reacts positively to the inspection process. She also meets together with other providers sharing ideas and good practice. She regularly seeks parent's views about her This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 practice and works with them to resolve issues over, for example, children's eating or behaviour. The childminder has made changes since her last inspection, such as erecting a conservatory giving the children more space to play and renovating the garden so that it can be used all year round. She has started to evaluate her practise. However, as limited self evaluation is currently taking place, strengths and areas for improvement are not clearly identified, therefore, limiting potential priorities for further development.

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and outcomes for children

Children are consistently offered a wide range of opportunities that support them in making good progress across the areas of learning and development. The childminder discusses children's home life and their likes and dislikes with parents at the start of the placement. However, as limited information is gained regarding children's development, this information cannot be used to inform initial starting points or to identify areas for improvement or further challenge. The childminder flexibly plans activities around the children's interests and annual events such as pancake day and the change in seasons. The Childminder knows the children very well and uses this information together with observations and assessments to demonstrate their progress. However, although children's next steps are identified, it is difficult to see how these are fed in to planning or when they are achieved by the children. Therefore, their progress is not optimally promoted.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses her good knowledge of child development to provide activities that progress children's learning. For example, on arrival children discuss the routine identifying the times for snack and play on a pretend clock. They develop their language skills by joining in with story time, answering the open- ended questions asked by the childminder and predicting what might happen next. They enjoy role play scenarios and confidently tell the childminder that they are taking their doll 'Lucy' to the park. Their creative skills are encouraged as they participate in water painting and sticking glued shapes onto paper. They discuss the shapes used and identify which ones they think are 'Sparkly'. Children's emotional development is well supported as they develop secure and trusting relationships with their friends and the childminder. They demonstrate this as they easily discuss the rabbit bought by their parents. They tell the childminder

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and outcomes for children

that the rabbit is called 'Rosie' and will live in a 'Little house in the garden'. The childminder acts as a positive role model and assists the children in learning and making the right decisions. The children learn the expectations in place and the art of compromise. For example, they are encouraged to share the resources and learn that they have to sometimes wait five minutes to play with a toy that they want.

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and outcomes for children

Children's health and hygiene is actively promoted as the childminder takes active steps to minimise the spread of infection and develop children's understanding of a healthy lifestyle. For example, children know to wash their hands before snacks and discuss why it is important to wash the grapes before eating them. They also learn about healthy eating and actively participate in cooking activities such as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 making pizzas and garlic bread which they say 'Mummy really loves'. Children are becoming aware of their own safety, as they discuss road safety and are sensitively reminded to stand on the stool properly in case they fall. 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 implement a written statement of procedures, that contains the procedure to be followed in event the of an allegation being made against yourself or a member of the family, to be followed for the protection of children (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) (Also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 15/03/2011

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Childcare Register part of the report (Arrangements for Safeguarding Children) 15/03/2011

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