Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY342565 Inspection date 21/11/2011 Inspector Ann Austen

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 2006. She lives with her two children aged nine and six years old in the village of Alconbury in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The childminder's home is close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childcare purposes, including toilet facilities. Sleeping facilities are provided on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five to 11 years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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

The childminder provides effectively for children within the Early Years Foundation Stage. As a consequence, children are well cared for and make good progress in their learning and development. Generally, all required policies and procedures are in place. Self-evaluation is effectively used to assess the quality of the provision, in order to continue to provide a service, which is responsive to the needs of the children and their families. The childminder maintains positive relationships with parents and understands the importance of developing relationships with other providers and services to promote integrated care and education for all children.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure the record of the risk assessment clearly states who carried it out (Documentation). 30/11/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve opportunities for children to access resources for themselves and further develop opportunities for parents to contribute their ongoing comments to their child's developmental record folder. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder understands her role and duty to protect children from harm. She has a good understanding of the indicator signs of abuse and is familiar with the procedures to follow to report concerns. The childminder has attended safeguarding children training. A written policy and all relevant guidance documents are in place to support her practice. The childminder supervises the children well. She conducts and maintains written risk assessments and as a consequence, steps have been taken to ensure that hazards to children both in the home, garden and on outings are kept to a minimum. However, whilst the required risk assessment documentation has been maintained, one aspect of the mandatory requirement has not been met. The childminder has not signed the document to confirm she completed the checks. This compromises the effective management of the provision. The childminder has up-to-date first aid knowledge. She ensures

p.5

the early years provision

that children's well-being is sustained through the recording and monitoring of any accidents, for the administration of medication and if children are unwell.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder holds an appropriate childcare qualification. She is committed to the continual development of her practice. For example, the childminder has attended training to develop her knowledge and skills and has acted on recommendations made at the last inspection. Publications to support safeguarding procedures have now been obtained, low level glass has been made safe and the range of activities and resources to help children appreciate and value each others' similarities and differences have been developed. For example, children celebrate Thanksgiving and make colourful dragons and taste Chinese food to commemorate the Chinese New Year. Self-evaluation is used to evaluate the childminder's provision, identifying strengths and areas for development. Targets have been set, in order to support continuous improvement.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder promotes a welcoming, inclusive environment for children and their families. For example, posters and evidence of the children's work are displayed in the entrance area. Whilst the childminder has an appropriate selection of resources, they are not always made available and used effectively to fully support children's learning and development. This subsequently hinders opportunities for children to take the initiative and become self sufficient in choosing activities and selecting resources for themselves.

p.5

the early years provision

The effectiveness of the childminder's engagement with parents and carers is good. Parents' comment positively on the care the childminder provides. Settling-in arrangements are flexible and parents have access to the childminder's policies and procedures. Verbal discussions are shared at drop-off and pick-up times and parents have regular opportunities to review their child's development record folder. However, opportunities for parents to contribute their ongoing comments to this document are not fully established. This potentially limits opportunities for ongoing parental involvement in their child's learning and development. The childminder understands the importance of working in partnership with other providers who deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuity and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 progression by sharing information with each other and with the parents.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children enjoy themselves in the childminder's care. They are offered a variety of play opportunities that support them in making good progress towards the early learning goals. The atmosphere is happy and relaxed. Ongoing observational assessment is used to find out how well children are developing and progressing and the childminder is continuing to develop her skills to evaluate this information against the six areas of learning, in order to identify future learning priorities.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Through a range of first hand experiences, children learn about the diversity of the world around them. For example, children attend local toddler groups, visit the crocodile farm and make sandcastles in the sand at the seaside. Children play in the snow and learn about nature, as they examine and feel the bark of the trees. They make cakes to observe how ingredients change and plant strawberries and sunflowers seeds and observe their growth.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are developing their early communication skills. For example, babies' gestures and sounds are acknowledged by the childminder and subsequently, their face lights up with a smile. Younger children are encouraged to imitate animal sounds. They feel the different textures in books and are introduced to new vocabulary by the childminder. Children make marks, as they paint and chalk on the paving slabs in the garden. They enthusiastically press buttons on the activity caterpillar, enjoy musical sounds and push the cars and train along the floor. Children are developing their problem solving skills, as they learn to post shapes into the shape sorter. They sing songs and particularly enjoy those with actions, such as 'Row, row, row your boat'. Children are developing their fine motor skills and strengthening small muscles effectively, for example, children press and release buttons on activity centres.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Consistent routines and positive adult interactions help young children to feel secure and confident in the childminder's care. For example, babies snuggle into the childminder when they become tired. Children have opportunities to learn about and practice the knowledge and skills needed to stay safe by responding to the guidelines set out by the childminder. For example, children learn about stranger danger, how to use equipment in the park safely, not to go to near the water when feeding the ducks and how to cross the road safely. The childminder involves parents in the management of behaviour by checking that she is meeting the children's needs and by sharing the behaviour management policy with them.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's health, physical and dietary requirements are well met. They have regular access to the outdoors for fresh air and exercise which promotes their co- ordination and fitness and are able to rest and sleep according to their needs. Babies are encouraged to develop and refine their skills, for example, as they learn to crawl and walk. Older children are further developing control over their bodies as they run, manoeuvre wheeled toys, play basket ball and climb the steps of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 slide. Children are learning to keep themselves healthy by adapting good personal hygiene routines. For example, pictorial signs remind older children to wash their hands after using the bathroom. This is further enhanced by the childminder, who has secure procedures in place to change younger children's nappies. This actively sustains the level of hygiene and helps to prevent the spread of infection.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children's individual dietary needs are acknowledged and met. They enjoy healthy meals and snacks, such as, fresh fruit, pasta, pizza, salmon and chicken wrapped in Parma ham. Children remain well hydrated and comfortable during the day because they are able to help themselves to water when they need a drink. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.8

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.8

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.8

Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 3 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

p.8

Stage

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

p.8

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.8

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.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.9