Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY424657 Inspection date 15/12/2011 Inspector Emma Bright

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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 three children aged three, five and eight years in Ely, Cambridgeshire. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

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

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. There are no pets. The childminder 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 satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a sufficient range of activities to help children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. Resources are organised so that children can make independent choices about what they want to play with. The childminder finds out about each child's individual needs and works with parents to ensure children are settled in her care. Most of the required documentation is in place to promote children's well-being and safety. The childminder is aware of the strengths and areas for improvement of her provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements in the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage in order to effectively support and extend each child's learning in all areas  develop the use of information gathered about children's learning to show more clearly their progress towards the Early Learning Goals and provide opportunities for parents to contribute  improve the wording to the written consent to seek emergency medical treatment to ensure it is clear  update the risk assessment so that the record covers everything a child may come into contact with. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminding provision is suitably organised and the childminder is clear about notifying Ofsted of any changes, or to the suitability of adults. The childminder understands about her role in safeguarding children and is aware of the appropriate procedures to put into practice when necessary. She has attended training on safeguarding to ensure her knowledge is up-to-date and this means children are kept safe from harm. Risk assessments are in place to ensure that hazards are identified and minimised. However, some aspects or activities are not included in sufficient detail to fully ensure children's safety. The childminder supervises children as they play, making sure her home is secure so that children cannot leave unattended. Essential records are in place to promote the welfare of children, such as daily attendance registers and accident records. However, the wording for emergency, medical consent is not completely clear to ensure

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the early years provision

A range of policies and procedures are shared with parents and documentation is in place to promote the welfare of children, such as daily registers and accident records. The childminder has begun to identify some areas of strength and areas which require development in order to maintain continuous improvement. The childminder promotes inclusion appropriately as she makes sure the activities on offer suitably meet children's individual needs. Resources are organised so that children can select the toys they wish to play with and these are checked regularly to ensure they are safe for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with parents; she gathers clear information from them so that she is knows about children's individual interests and needs, and can provide a consistency of care. Parents receive daily verbal feedback so that they know about their child's day. The childminder is sensitive to children's individual personalities when settling them in her home and this ensures as smooth transition between home and the childminding setting. The childminder has a positive attitude to liaising with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage and in time will make links with these settings.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder understands children's individual interests; they enjoy their activities with the childminder and they take part in suitable play opportunities that help them to learn and develop. However, the childminder does not have a clear enough knowledge and understanding of learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to effectively support and extend each child's learning and development. The childminder has records in place that help to show what children can do and these are evolving. However, this information is not always used to clearly identify the next steps in each child's learning and parents do not contribute to these records in order to share what they know about their child's progress. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children chat readily with the childminder who responds to their talk. She repeats and models key words, including words in children's home language to promote

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and outcomes for children

their language development. Children's early literacy skills are developing as they enjoy looking at books and they have access to dual language books so they see and use their home language in their play. Children demonstrate awareness of numbers as they attempt to use number names in their play. They develop their problem solving skills as they work cooperatively to fit the train track together. These simple activities begin to lay the foundations to satisfactorily support children's future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy some creative activities and are particularly interested in stickers as they carefully peel them from the backing and stick them on the card. Children are developing independence skills as they help themselves to toys and they are beginning to learn about sharing and turn taking. Children have formed strong relationships with each other and play happily together. The childminder provides a welcoming environment where each child is valued and they are relaxed and comfortable in her care. The childminder has appropriate systems in place to care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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and outcomes for children

Clear procedures are in place for recording accidents and medication and the childminder ensures she is able to respond appropriately if children have an accident as she has completed a first aid course. The childminder helps children to gain an awareness of how to keep safe. For example, they practise the fire drill so that they know what to do in an emergency. Children enjoy opportunities for fresh air and exercise as they play in the garden or the local park, and they walk regularly to school. The childminder prepares freshly cooked meals for children and they thoroughly enjoy homemade chicken soup with a selection of fruit. Information about children's dietary requirements is clearly recorded and children have access to fresh drinking water throughout the day. 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 3 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 3 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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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