Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY429307 Inspection date 13/12/2011 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 four children aged eight, 11, 14 and 18 years in village near March, Cambridgeshire. All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding 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 six children at any one time, of these no more than three 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 also cares for children in the older years. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register, and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder walks and drives to local amenities. The family has one cat. 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 good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has established good working relationships with parents and works closely with them to ensure children's individual needs are very well met. 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. All of the required documentation is in place to promote and safeguard children's welfare. Clear systems for self-evaluation are in place and the childminder demonstrates a strong capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the use of information gathered about children's learning so 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 written consents are clear.

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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 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of local safeguarding children procedures and has attended training in 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. The childminder helps children to understand how to keep themselves safe through practical means. For example, children practise crossing the road and they wear reflective wristbands on outings to ensure they can be clearly seen. All these factors contribute to the

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the early years provision

childminder safeguarding children effectively.

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the early years provision

The organisation of the childminding provision is good. Clear documentation and very good record keeping promotes the safety and welfare of the children and underpins the good quality care offered. The childminder has a good knowledge of child development and she organises space and play resources effectively to meet children's needs. She has sound strategies in place to care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and is sensitive to children's individual personalities when settling them in her home. This ensures a smooth transition between home and the childminding home. A realistic self-evaluation process enables the childminder to identify areas for future development. She reflects and evaluates her practice to maintain continuous improvement and to monitor the progress children make in their learning and development.

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the early years provision

The childminder places high value on the importance of working with parents and gathers detailed information about children's individual and changing needs. This enables her to take each child's uniqueness into account when planning activities and providing care. Good written feedback demonstrates parents high regard for the childminder and the service she offers. Parents are kept informed about their child's day, however, some of the written consents lack clarity which means parents are potentially not fully informed about their child's activities. Clear written policies and procedures are professionally presented to share with parents so that they know about the childminding provision. The childminder is developing links with other providers, such as local schools, enabling them all to work together to support the learning of children whose care is shared.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder takes children's interests and stage of development into careful consideration when planning activities to ensure all areas of learning are promoted. She 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 observes children in their play, recording their achievements and takes 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 have fewer opportunities to contribute to these records in order to share what they know about children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children gain awareness of their own cultures and those of others and resources This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are in place that helps 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. In addition, the childminder seeks children's views and they have regular discussions about any issues or improvements to the provision which mean children feel included in the life of the setting. Children explore their creativity in a range of art and craft activities. They freely produce drawings and pictures to represent their ideas, eagerly sharing their efforts and demonstrating pride in their achievements.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about weight and measurement through cooking activities as they weigh ingredients and count out backwards as they monitor the timer on the microwave. In addition, children know if they are the smallest or the tallest as they measure their height on the wall against each other. The childminder encourages children's language skills through very good interaction and this enables children to be confident communicators. She models clear language during their conversations without discouraging their efforts so that they can use their growing skills confidently. These simple activities lay firm foundations for children's future learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children to have a healthy attitude towards food because she makes sure they have balanced and nutritious meals and snacks, and children can help themselves to fresh drinking water to ensure they are well- hydrated. The childminder is fully aware of her responsibilities to safeguard children. She helps children to be aware of being safe, both in the home and on outings. For example, they all practise the fire drill so that they know what to do in an emergency and they demonstrate their understanding as they explain 'we have to go outside'. Children behave well because the childminder has clear boundaries to help them understand about taking turns which means they all play happily together. 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

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and outcomes for children

well-being. 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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