Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY414085 Inspection date 16/05/2011 Inspector Emma Bright

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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 one and a grown up child, close to the centre of Cambridge. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding purposes and children have access to the fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of two children at any one time, of these no more than two may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently minding one child in the early years group on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks and drives to local amenities and attends local groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 knows the children well and meets their individual needs through effective working partnerships with parents. The childminder provides a broad range of activities and this enables children to make good progress in their learning and development. Systems for self evaluation are in place and the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement. All of the required documentation is in place to promote and safeguard children's welfare.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of information about children's learning and ensure that parents have more opportunities to contribute to the record of their child's progress towards the Early Learning Goals  improve further the two-way flow of communication between parents and the childminding provision to ensure parental consents are clear.

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted because the childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding children procedures. She understands the importance of informing Ofsted of any changes and all adults within the home have undergone checks to ensure their suitability, which further safeguards children. The childminder supervises the children and ensures the toys and materials they use are safe and appropriate for their ages. Risk assessments are in place to ensure that hazards This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are identified and minimised; rigorous daily checks further improve children's safety. The childminder is very well organised; documentation and record keeping effectively promotes the safety and welfare of the children and underpins the good quality care offered.

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the early years provision

The childminder works well in partnership with parents and carers to ensure children's individual needs are met. Information is gathered from parents about their children before they start, so that the childminder knows children's individual interests and needs, which she uses to inform planning for activities and providing care. In addition, the childminder carries out home visits before children begin in her care, which enables her to gather and share good information with parents and help children to feel safe and secure. The childminder is sensitive to children's individual personalities when settling them in to her home and this ensures a smooth transition between the home and childminding setting. Clear written policies and procedures are shared with parents so that they know about the childminding provision. However, some of the written consents lack clarity which means parents are not fully informed about their child's activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a realistic self-evaluation process to identify areas for future development. She reflects and evaluates her practice to maintain continuous improvement and to monitor the progress children make in their learning and development. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development which enables her to provide good quality care. She organises space and play resources effectively to meet children's needs. The childminder has developed a good understanding of children's individual abilities and this enables her to provide play experiences and activities to support each child's growing skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy lots opportunities for physical exercise in the garden and the local park. They practise a range of movements as they crawl through tunnels or pull themselves to standing on sturdy furniture. Children behave well because the childminder has clear boundaries to help them understand about responsible behaviour which means they all play happily together. The childminder encourages children to have a healthy attitude towards food because she makes sure they have balanced and nutritious meals and snacks and children can help themselves to fresh drinking water. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She helps children to be aware of keeping safe, both in the home and on outings. For example, they all practise the fire drill so that they know what to do in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder understands how young children learn and this enables her to provide a good range of experiences and activities to support each child's learning and development. The childminder takes children's interests and stage of development into careful consideration when planning activities to ensure all areas of learning are promoted. The childminder observes children in their play and takes photographs of them to illustrate the activities they enjoy. This shows how children are making good progress in their learning and development. Although records are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 shared with parents, they do not fully have opportunities to contribute to these records in order to share what they know about children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Resources are in place that help children celebrate the diverse society in which they live. The childminder has sound strategies in place to care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued and they are clearly relaxed and comfortable in her nurturing care. For example, young children are readily comforted as they seek cuddles from the childminder, which ensures their individual needs are met and they feel secure and safe. Children's independence and confidence is developing because the childminder organises toys and resources where they can access them, allowing them to be active learners and make choices about their play.

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and outcomes for children

Children are curious as they observe how musical toys work and they confidently operate simple equipment, such as, push and play or pop-up toys. They enjoy sorting objects in size as they attempt to stack cups in size order. The childminder develops children's learning by introducing mathematical concepts, such as, counting and colour recognition in their play. Children's early literacy skills are developing; they enjoy looking at books and are curious about the marks they make with the 'aqua pen'. The childminder encourages children's language skills through good interaction and this enables children to be confident communicators. She models clear language as they attempt to copy sounds and words without discouraging their efforts so that they can use their growing skills confidently. These simple activities lay firm foundations for children's future learning. 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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