Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY416879 Inspection date 13/07/2011 Inspector Veronica Sharpe

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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 and lives with her family in Cambridge. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of five children at any one time, two of whom may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children on roll within the early years age group who attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children mainly use the ground floor of the home, with a first floor bedroom for sleeping. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder lives within walking distance of play areas, pre-school groups and shops. She 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

Children are settled and content and enjoy their time with the childminder. The childminder is developing systems to observe and assess children's attainments; she provides a broad range of activities that ensure each child makes good progress in their learning and development. The childminder has good, two-way partnerships with parents and keeps them well informed about their children's well-being. The childminder keeps up-to-date with good practice and has good systems in place to evaluate the provision. This gives her 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?

 improve further the wording for written parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment to ensure it is clear  develop further the systems to assess children's learning and development using the Early Years Foundation Stage guidance; ensure observations and assessments include links into the areas of learning in order to plan more effectively for children's next steps.

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the early years provision

The childminder keeps children safe because she has a clear understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board guidance. Written policies and procedures are shared with parents to ensure they know about the childminder's responsibilities to safeguard children. The childminder keeps Ofsted informed of any changes to her household, for example, she has arranged to have students who live with her appropriately vetted when necessary. The childminder has written risk assessments, and these help to ensure children are safe and secure in the home. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children learn to keep themselves safe on outings as they find how to cross roads and use the pelican crossings. The childminder organises her home well so children move around safely and have easy access to the resources. Toy boxes are clearly labelled so children make informed choices about their play.

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the early years provision

The childminder has warm relationships with parents and shares information with them on a daily basis. Parents have flexible settling-in processes to ensure their children feel safe and secure. Parents say they are pleased with the service the childminder provides, for example, they appreciate how the childminder encourages their children to try new foods. Parents also say their children benefit greatly from the frequent trips into their local community. The childminder has a professional attitude towards her business and ensures parents complete contracts and agreements so everyone is clear about the expectations of care. Policies and procedures are shared, and any necessary consents have been obtained. The wording for parental permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment does not fully explain all the circumstances in which it could be applied.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the importance of building links with other providers who care for the children. She visits the local children's centre and ensures children have ample opportunities to socialise at local activity groups. There are no children attending who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, but the childminder would work with parents and other professionals to meet each child's needs. Children who have English as an additional language receive good support. The childminder has a practical understanding of the issues; she makes sure her home is welcoming to all families and has an appropriate range of resources to help children from diverse backgrounds feel welcome and valued. The childminder evaluates the provision, for example, she has completed the local authority Quality Framework. She attends courses and workshops where possible to increase her knowledge and improve the outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children show they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. They move around her home with confidence and happily engage with visitors. Resources are well organised so children develop their independence and follow their own interests. The childminder has a calm and relaxed manner, which children respond to. As a result, they are content in their play and behave very well; they share their activities and show firm friendships. The childminder provides a broad and balanced range of activities that take into account children's ages and interests. Resources are set out each day to suit children's individual needs so they settle to their activities readily. The childminder has not yet fully developed an effective system to record and use observations to assess children's progress over time, however, she knows the children well and has well-established systems to collect and share information with parents. This ensures that children make generally

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and outcomes for children

good progress in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children have lots of opportunities to explore the local area as they go for daily walks and enjoy active play on the large equipment in the parks. Visits to local This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activity groups help children develop their social skills and enable them to make relationships with others. Children ride on the bus to town or attend a forest event at a country park. At the childminder's home they readily access books and enjoy sharing stories. They build train tracks and find out how each piece fits together. Pens, pencils and crayons help children begin to make marks and enjoy scribbling and colouring. Children begin to understand the use of numbers in enjoyable, everyday ways, for example, they count out loud and sing counting songs. The childminder promotes their language skills as she listens and responds; she encourages them to ask questions and they chatter together constantly.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn to appreciate the wider world as they play with resources that reflect other countries and cultures, such as books and small world figures. The childminder talks to them about positive attitudes and plans activities to increase their knowledge of special events, such as Chinese New Year and Christmas. Electronic toys, such as, toy telephones, a jukebox, garages and cars, ensure children develop an aptitude for modern technology, which supports their future economic well-being.

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and outcomes for children

Children eat healthy snacks and access drinks freely. The childminder prepares and cooks healthy and nutritious meals as agreed with parents. Healthy snacks, such as fresh fruit and bread, ensure children are well nourished. Water is always available and the childminder reminds them to drink often, especially after active play. This promotes their health and well-being. Good hygiene practice is introduced at an early age so children learn to care for themselves, for instance, two-year-olds climb confidently onto the step to wash their hands before eating their lunch. 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 3 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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