Childminder in Peterborough

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 256897 Inspection date 03/03/2011 Inspector Sandra Hornsby

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and children aged 13 and 16 in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes, including a playroom and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outdoor play. Outside is a purpose built detached art room. The family has one cat.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently three children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language. The childminder attends the local carer and toddler group on a regular basis and she is a member of the National Childminding Association. She is also a member of an approved childminding network.

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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 well cared for in a colourful child-friendly environment where they are happy and safe and make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder demonstrates a very good understanding of the uniqueness of each child and ensures their individual needs are met fully. Robust safeguarding procedures are in place and the environment is safe, clean and well maintained. Good quality policies and procedures ensure efficiency and safety and promote children's well-being. Children benefit from positive relationships between parents and the childminder and regular exchanges of information support continuity of care. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of her service and a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop observational assessment and the use of children's next steps in order to develop planning to ensure individual children are consistently provided with appropriate levels of support and/or challenge. 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 demonstrates a high level of commitment to safeguard children. Safeguarding arrangements are robust and the childminder is aware of her responsibility towards the children in her care. Children are taught to be safety conscious as they learn about road safety and strangers and are offered gentle reminders to be careful around the setting and not to climb over toys. The childminder carries out yearly fire drills but talks to children about what to do in the event of a fire much more regularly so children are learning about keeping themselves safe. Risk assessments are reviewed yearly and keep children safe on the premises and on outings. The quality of risk assessments and actions taken to manage or eliminate risks are effective. A thorough risk assessment undertaken in 2008 is now, at least annually, reviewed and any changes recorded to ensure the environment remains safe. The childminder visually risk assesses the environment

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the early years provision

daily and takes actions to manage or eliminate risks effectively.

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the early years provision

Partnerships are very effective and parents are kept well informed about their children's well-being and progress. It is a highly positive and professional relationship where parent's views are sought just before each inspection and policies and procedures inform parents of the service and expectations of the childminding provision. The childminder shares written information called 'a journey of discovery' which includes pictures and observations that highlight children's progress. These are shared six monthly and parents are encouraged to share their thoughts about their children's time with the childminder, supporting continuity of care. Daily diaries keep parents up to date with their children's daily events and general well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very aware of the benefits of working in partnership with other Early Years Foundation Stage providers. Although she currently has no children with the need for communication and links with other professionals, she has strategies in place to make sure she can support children who attend other settings or have links with other professionals.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a good level of drive and ambition and a high commitment to further development and improvement. She undertakes self- evaluation yearly and identifies how her plans will improve the outcomes for children in the year ahead. She is working closely with the local authority advisor towards being an accredited childminder and attends other settings, such as, local sure start groups and childminding support groups to gain support and new ideas.

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the early years provision

Children's development is good and children achieve well as a result of the setting and opportunities offered by the childminder. The childminder has a very high quality environment that suits children of all ages. Younger children predominantly use the playroom and have free access to toys and equipment that are readily available and easily accessible. The resources are very good, fit for purpose and support children in their development. Children are taken out daily into the community, be it for walks to the park or to attend the sessions held at the local Children's Centre and childminding groups. This aids towards children becoming This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 aware of the society in which they live.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from very good play opportunities and experiences that help them make progress across all areas of learning. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of how children learn from play. Children have access to a well resourced play room that has a wide range of good quality toys and resources and older children also have use of a child-friendly newly built art room. The childminder plans experiences and activities to support each child. She carries out observations and takes some photographs. These are used in each child's 'journey of discovery' to record their achievements and celebrate their successes. However, the childminder does not consistently identify the next steps in their learning and plan according to their individual learning needs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder values each child as she praises their efforts and shares cuddles and smiles and lots of eye contact. This enhances children's self-esteem and confidence. Children learn about behaviour; they are learning to share and how to be kind to each other because the childminder is consistent and promotes positive behaviour. Children have regular outings into the local community where they socialise with others at local group sessions. The garden is a well-used resource and children enjoy using the gardening area to grow pumpkins, beans and begin to understand about how to care for living things. They have a wide range of sit-on and ride toys that help to develop their small and larger muscular skills and movements. Children enthusiastically dance and copy the movements to a video and sing the songs at the same time, developing their language and practising familiar rhymes and sounds. Children use a good range of objects and utensils to

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and outcomes for children

acquire new manipulative skills. For example, they use pencils, gardening tools, and small world figures which help them to develop good coordination and control. The childminder encourages children's language skills through good interaction; she models good language as she asks questions and repeats what children say. They are keen and attempt to copy sounds and words as they use their growing skills confidently. The childminder develops children's learning by introducing mathematical concepts, such as, counting and number recognition in their play and when out on walks. These simple activities lay the foundations to support the children's future economic well-being.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She helps children to begin to understand how to keep safe, both in the home and on outings. The childminder ensures she can respond appropriately if a child becomes ill or has an accident because she holds a current first aid certificate. Children's health is promoted as the childminder shares information about healthy eating and lunch boxes with parents. The childminder ensures that all children have daily opportunities for physical exercise; for example, they practise their large muscular skills as they run around in the garden and they benefit from lots of fresh air on This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 their daily walks. 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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