Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY355315 Inspection date 30/06/2011 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 2007 and she lives with her husband and three children aged two, six and nine years in Ely, Cambridgeshire. The ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes with supervised access to the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four 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 three children in the early years group.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks and drives to local amenities and attends a range of local groups. The family has no pets. 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 has established good working relationships with parents and works closely with them to ensure children's individual needs are well met. She provides a broad range of interesting and challenging learning opportunities for each child and this enables them 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. There is one breach of regulation as written risk assessments of the premises are not in place.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 make a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 29/07/2011

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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 gathered about children's learning to show more clearly their progress towards the Early Learning Goals and provide opportunities for parents to contribute to the record  improve further the two-way flow of communication between parents and the childminding provision to ensure written consents are in place for all children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

All adults living in the childminder's home have complied with the required suitability checks and the childminder ensures that unvetted adults, such as visitors to her home are never left alone with children. The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding issues and she ensures records are kept of any injuries or concerns. Written risk assessments are in place for outings and the childminder carries out daily visual checks of the premises. However, risk assessments of the environment and resources are not in writing which means hazards are not clearly identified in order to minimise any dangers for children. The childminder supervises the children and ensures the toys and materials they use are safe and appropriate for their ages. Clear documentation and record keeping 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 has begun to reflect and evaluate her practice to ensure that children have good quality experiences and are kept safe. For example, she has identified that it was sometime since she last attended safeguarding training and she is now booked to attend a refresher course to ensure her knowledge is completely up-to-date. This ensures children are kept safe from harm and their safety is effectively promoted. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and she organises space and play resources effectively to meet children's needs. She has 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. The childminder has sound strategies in place to care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and this enables then to take part in the life of the childminding setting.

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the early years provision

The childminder is sensitive to children's individual personalities when settling them in her home and this ensures a smooth transition between home and the childminding home. She is developing links with other providers, such as local pre- schools, enabling them all to work together to support the learning of children whose care is shared. Clear written policies and procedures are professionally presented to share with parents so that they know about the childminding provision. The childminder has good relationships with parents; she gathers clear information from them so that she knows about children's individual interests and needs, and can provide a consistency of care. Positive written feedback demonstrates parents' high regard for the childminder and the service she offers. However, written consents are not in place for all children which mean some parents are not fully informed about their child's activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about nature as they plant vegetables and fruit in the garden; they explain that 'water helps the plants grow'. Children learn about recycling as they compost food scraps and re-use junk materials in craft activities and this helps This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them gain awareness of caring for the environment. 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. Resources are in place that help children celebrate the diverse

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about weight and capacity as they weigh ingredients in cooking activities. The childminder develops children's learning by introducing mathematical concepts such as counting and colour recognition in their play or on outings as they count how many cars they see. 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.

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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. Planning is in place and is flexible so that it can be adapted to focus on children's interests. The childminder has records in place that help to identify what children can do and these are evolving. Although records are shared with parents, they do not 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

Children behave well because the childminder has clear boundaries to help them understand about responsible behaviour which means they can play happily together. The childminder encourages children to have a healthy attitude towards food; she provides nutritious home cooked meals and children have access to fresh drinking water. They pick plums from the garden which they enjoy as a snack and this encourages young children to try new foods. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She helps children to be aware of safety issues, both in the home and on outings. Children enjoy lots of opportunities for exercise in the garden or at the local adventure play park where they can move freely and practise their physical skills. This helps them to develop good muscle control, feel relaxed and develop a sense of overall well-being. 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 3 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 3 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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