Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY429467 Inspection date 12/12/2011 Inspector Linda Bird

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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 one child aged 10 months in a village to the North of Cambridge. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder's home is split-level across four floors. Bathroom facilities are located on the third and fourth level.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. The provision is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The house is within walking distance of local amenities, such as, schools, the library, shops, toddler groups, Sure Start Children's Centre and parks.

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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 a good understanding about the individual needs of each child which enables her to successfully promote the children's welfare and learning. Children play in a safe and secure environment and enjoy learning about the local area where they live and the wider world. Partnerships with parents, the Sure Start children's centre, a toddler group and a pre-school setting are a positive feature of the provision and these links enhance the children's learning and development. This means that given their age and ability the children progress well. Systems to monitor the quality of the service provided and to ensure its continued development are in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure that locks are fitted to the kitchen cupboards to prevent the children from opening the doors.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and well protected in the setting because the childminder is knowledgeable about safeguarding and child protection and she supervises the children carefully. Policies are in place which underpin the procedures and systems that keep the children safe, these include policies for accident and emergency and procedures for caring for an uncollected child. The childminder is appropriately vetted and is suitable to work with young children. She also holds a first aid paediatric certificate. This means that the children are safe and cared for. Regular risk assessments are undertaken both for the setting and for trips to local groups This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and the park. This enables the children to play safely in the setting and to leave the house in a safe and carefully managed manner. The children are growing and are keen to explore the environment and the childminder is aware of the need to

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the early years provision

The childminder is knowledgeable about the Early Years Foundation Stage and uses this knowledge to support children in their learning. Resources are age appropriate and the children have a high degree of independence in selecting what they want to play with. The children enjoy their play and make good progress in their development. The childminder is committed to providing the best possible learning experiences for the children. She is keen to extend her own knowledge and skills and has enrolled on a number of training courses in the coming months. The childminder is using an Early Years and Care Quality Framework which enables her to systematically evaluate the provision in the setting. The combination of using the quality framework, together with her commitment to improve her skills and knowledge is a clear indication of the settings' capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The communication with parents is good. Parents are kept well informed about their children's progress and are provided with the childminder's observations showing their child's development at the end of each term. There is also a system in place for the parents to record any special moments with their child and share these with the childminder. Through this, the parents become involved in their child's learning and each child is supported to make good progress towards the Early Learning Goals. A feature of the provision is the frequent trips to various local toddler groups, including Sure Start and attendance at these groups enhances the range of provision for the children. These partnerships contribute positively to the children's progress and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder is inclusive in her approach; each child is valued and their learning and welfare needs are met. The childminder ensures that the cultural diversity of the children's backgrounds is celebrated, for example, Christmas and Chinese New Year will be celebrated. This approach confirms to the children that their cultures are respected and valued and all the children benefit by learning about each other's festivals and customs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and the six areas of learning. Planning is based on careful observations of the children and because of this, the provision meets the children's individual needs. The children enjoy their play and the childminder takes advantage of incidental opportunities to teach the children, for example, as the children were helped down steps she encouraged them to join in with her in counting the steps. They are beginning to learn to count to three. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The children enjoy having access to colourful books. They know how to handle them and turn the pages and are making good progress with language and literacy. The visit to the Sure Start centre provided opportunities for the children to learn nursery rhymes and songs. They enjoyed 'Twinkle twinkle little star' and

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and outcomes for children

were beginning to learn the accompanying actions. The children experimented with glue and glitter when making Christmas bags. They are beginning to develop fine motor control and to improve their manipulative skills. Ball skills are developing well with the children passing a large ball to each other, whilst supported by the childminder and other adults. The children's physical development is good as they have lots of opportunities for walking and playing outside with a range of equipment including wheeled toys.

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and outcomes for children

The children feel safe and secure in the setting with the childminder, this is because she supervises them carefully and they enjoy a warm and trusting relationship with her. The setting is well equipped to meet the children's needs and provides a secure environment. The children have learnt safe routines for walking to the park and shops; this is because the childminder has taught them how to behave safely when traffic is nearby.

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and outcomes for children

The children are helped to adopt a healthy lifestyle. They eat healthily and are encouraged to try new and different goods. Water is available throughout the day so the children keep well hydrated. They know that they need to wrap up warmly in cold weather. Children are protected from cross contamination and infection through effective hygiene procedures which are carefully adhered to.

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and outcomes for children

The children behave well because the childminder gives clear explanations and sets appropriate boundaries. The children play well together and enjoy mixing with a wider group of children, they are learning to share and take turns. The children are learning about other cultures and beliefs and are developing respect for themselves and others. 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 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 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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