Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY424177 Inspection date 12/09/2011 Inspector Emma Bright

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2011. She lives with her husband and three children, aged two years and twins aged seven years, in a village close to Ely, Cambridgeshire. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has no pets.

p.4

Description of the childminding

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

p.4

Description of the childminding

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

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder deploys her resources well and provides a broad range of stimulating learning opportunities for each child. Good methods for observing, tracking and planning for children's learning are in place. All of the required documentation is in place to promote and safeguard children's welfare. The childminder meets children's individual needs and promotes equality and diversity well. She demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement and has clear plans to develop her service.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 develop the use of information gathered about children's learning to ensure that parents have 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 so that parents know about the daily routines.

p.4

the early years provision

Children's welfare is effectively safeguarded because the childminder understands her role and responsibilities to protect children. She shares this with parents and ensures good supervision at all times. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of safeguarding children procedures and has attended training in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 child protection; this knowledge is underpinned by a clear policy which is shared with parents. The childminder carries out a variety of risk assessments to reduce hazards in her home and when on outings, and she ensures children are familiar with routine procedures to promote their safety effectively. For example, road safety is promoted by the childminder and she reinforces rules and guidelines so that children can walk safely around the local area.

p.4

the early years provision

Documentation is in place to promote the welfare of children, such as children's information records and attendance registers. The childminder 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 a clear and realistic self-evaluation process to identify areas for future development. She has begun to reflect and evaluate on her practice to ensure that children have good quality experiences and can make good progress in their learning and development.

p.5

the early years provision

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 and gathers clear information from them so that she knows about children's individual interests and needs. Parents are kept informed about their child's day through the use of a 'boomerang book' which is shared between the childminder and parents. However, some of the written consents lack clarity, which means parents are not fully informed about their child's activities. 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 setting. 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.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy lots of opportunities for exercise in the garden or at the local 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. 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 as they go shopping to buy fruit and vegetables for snack. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She helps children to feel safe as she reminds them to be careful, while allowing them to try things for themselves in a secure environment.

p.5

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 stages 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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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 shared with parents, they do not have opportunities to contribute to these in order to share what they know about children's progress.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children gain awareness of their own cultures and those of others, and resources are in place that help children celebrate the diverse society in which they live. They regularly go out in the local area, helping them to make sense of the world and their place within it. For example, children enjoy trips to places of interest, such as visiting a farm, or they observe how local farmers gather the crops, and this stimulates their interest and offers them new experiences. The childminder has firm strategies in place to care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children's emotional needs are met as they sit comfortably with the childminder when upset and they can rest or sleep when they need to.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children develop their early literacy skills because the childminder ensures they have lots of good quality experiences to promote these skills. For example, children have access to a wide range of books, which they enjoy, or they visit the local library to choose additional books. Children enthusiastically take part in well-read stories as they act out a popular book about animals. This leads to discussion about whether kangaroos live in the forest. Children learn about weight and measurement through cooking activities as they weigh ingredients. They enjoy games of 'tractor spotting' and predict how many tractors they will see on their outing and what colours they might be. 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

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8