Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY420647 Inspection date 08/08/2011 Inspector Sarah Clements

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and two children aged one and six years in Great Cambourne, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding, with the exception of a bathroom and master bedroom on the first floor. A secure enclosed garden is used for outdoor play activities. The family has a pet cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years at any one time, no more than two of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in the early years age group, who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The nursery school is currently supporting a number of children who have English as an additional language, and has strategies in place to support children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is able to escort children to and from a local school. She attends several social groups with the children and takes them on regular outings.

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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's individual care and learning needs are effectively met by the childminder. Opportunities for play are based on children's individual interests and developmental needs, ensuring they enjoy their time at the inclusive setting and make strong progress towards the early learning goals. Superb risk assessment procedures ensure that children are kept extremely safe and secure in the childminder's care. There is a regular exchange of information with parents and carers, providing them with ongoing information about their children's achievements and care routines. The childminder is committed to continuous development and has used self-evaluation and reflective practice to make good improvements to the provision for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 provide more positive images, resources and activities that challenge children's thinking and help them to embrace differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disabilities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's welfare is safeguarded exceptionally well by the childminder who has developed highly effective systems to assure their safety and well-being. She has an excellent understanding of her child protection duties and the procedures to follow in the event of any concerns. Policies, procedures and records are well organised and ensure the setting runs very safely and smoothly. For example, clear records are kept to demonstrate that all adults in the home have completed all necessary checks to confirm their suitability. The childminder undertakes rigorous risk assessments of the home, garden and outings to ensure hazards are minimised at all times. For example, she proactively attaches foam padding to concrete posts in the garden to ensure children can run around safely without the risk of injury. Children benefit from a bright and welcoming environment, which offers a good range of quality resources to promote all areas of their learning and

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the early years provision

The childminder has attended several training courses since registration to build her knowledge and enable her to meet children's individual needs. Effective self- evaluation and monitoring, which takes into consideration the views of parents, enables the childminder to identify ways to bring about sustained improvement. For example, she extends her written records following discussions with other experienced childminders and establishes future plans for children to grow vegetables in the garden.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to working in partnership with parents and her professional manner helps her to build strong relationships. Parents are kept well informed about all aspects of their children's achievements and well-being. For example, the childminder takes time to write comments about children's time spent at the setting in their individual daily diaries. The childminder has a good knowledge of each child's background and is proactive in gathering details about their likes and dislikes through the use of an 'All About Me' sheet. Parents value opportunities to have a coffee and an informal chat with the childminder, who welcomes them in and provides them with opportunities to share their children's observation records. The childminder is not currently caring for any children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities. However, she has a secure understanding of the value of working with other professionals when the need

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the early years provision

arises to ensure she can meet children's specific needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a good range of play provision that promotes all areas of their learning and development. From a young age, they are able to choose from various toys and games which are easily accessible to them in low-level storage boxes. For example, they delight in delving into bags and picking out popular trains and construction bricks. They have space to move the train along the floor, and show enjoyment as they babble and make train sounds. The childminder sits close This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 by to support and extend children's play. For example, she encourages them to practise their early counting skills as they place blocks on top of each other to make a tower. Children's development is planned and monitored well. The childminder uses her good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage to provide a balanced curriculum which is linked well to children's individual interests.

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and outcomes for children

This includes free-play time, organised activities and regular trips to local children's centre groups and play events. She keeps clear written records and photographs of her observations, which provides parents with a meaningful account of their children's progress and enjoyment. This system is also used well to identify the children's next steps in learning and to encourage them to develop to their full potential. For example, when children show an interest in fitting different shapes into shape-sorter, the childminder plans further opportunities for children to encounter shapes in books.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and settled in the childminder's care. They enjoy exploring both the indoor and outdoor environments and benefit from being physically active throughout the day. For example, children like to get out into the childminder's safe and welcoming garden, where they run around vigorously, throw and catch balls and climb on equipment. They are developing good independence through managing their own self care and actively helping the childminder. This includes collecting the post when it arrives and taking an active part in choosing fruits and vegetables during a trip to the local supermarket. Children have good opportunities to attend a range of local social groups where they begin to develop strong social skills, such as communicating with others, sharing toys and taking turns. This has a positive impact on their ability to play happily together and behave well in the setting. A small selection of books and some discussions help children to develop

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and outcomes for children

an awareness of different cultures, religions and disabilities in their play. However, a wider range of positive images, special events and practices are not yet being shared to fully challenge children's thinking around diversity and the wider world.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel extremely safe and secure as they establish highly trusting relationships with the childminder and have an exceptionally safe environment around them. They actively learn about keeping safe through the childminder's clear guidance, and get purposefully involved in practising the fire evacuation procedure. The childminder promotes children's good health as she is committed to working alongside parents to meet their individual care needs. For example, menus featuring freshly prepared vegetable soup, spaghetti bolognaise and fresh fruits are planned carefully to ensure they are nutritious and reflect children's individual dietary needs. Children are learning to manage their personal hygiene as they follow regular hand washing routines throughout the daily routine. The childminder makes these routines fun by singing jolly hand washing songs with the youngest children and giving them time to explore the soapy water.

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and outcomes for children

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 1 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 1 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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