Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY432605 Inspection date 09/01/2012 Inspector Angela Jackson

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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 two children aged five and two years old close to local amenities in Milton, in Cambridgeshire. The whole of the ground floor and one first floor bedroom are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family keep pet fish in a tank.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children aged under eight years at any one time, of which no more than one may be in the early years age group. The childminder is currently minding two children in the early years age range. The childminder may also offer overnight care for one child under eight years. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and supports children who are learning to speak English as an additional language.

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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 of how children learn and is knowledgeable about the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She plans activities that help children develop new skills. This means that most children make very good progress in relation to their age and starting points. The childminder works in close partnership with parents and is supporting individual children to learn a second home language in addition to English. The capacity for further improvement is good with a number of key priorities identified for further development.

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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 reflective practice and self-evaluation as a basis for targeting areas for future improvement.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded and well protected. The childminder has clear policies in place to manage any concerns about children in her care and a good understanding of child protection issues. In addition, children are kept safe in the home and on outings because the childminder carries out regular risk assessments. Potential hazards are identified with additional safety checks made as necessary. For example, checking the lid of the fish tank is secure. As a result, children are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 able to move around the ground floor areas freely and safely and to independently choose from a broad range of resources that are in good condition and stored at low level. The garden is tidy and well equipped.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively reflects on many areas of her provision. Although, she has accurately identified future training needs, she has not carried out a full self- evaluation. This means there are no targets in place for overall development. The childminder rightly identifies a key strength as being effective working relationships with parents. The information she has at registration enables her to meet the individual needs of all children and to plan routines and activities according to parents' preferences. This helps children to settle quickly and to make good progress. The childminder maintains a daily two-way flow of information with parents and between other providers. This makes sure the welfare needs of children are fully met. Also that parents have details about the care of their children.

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the early years provision

The childminder is aware of her responsibility to work in partnership with other agencies and providers if the need arises. She has a broad range of policies and procedures in place. They are clearly written, concise and well organised as is all other documentation. There is high regard for confidentiality. The childminder promotes full inclusion and all children are treated with respect, fully included and valued for their uniqueness.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and content and well cared for by the childminder in her comfortable and warm home. The childminder follows the routines established by parents, helping children to feel secure and safe. Children learn to keep themselves safe by regularly practising emergency evacuation procedures. In addition, they gain a good understanding of road safety on their walk to and from pre-school and on other outings. They hold each other's hands and stop at each kerb as they look for cars before crossing roads together. Children use a step at the basin, in order to wash their hands after playing with messy materials. They follow good hygiene routines modelled by the childminder who has high standards of cleanliness.

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and outcomes for children

Children are following a healthy lifestyle by having regular daily exercise in the fresh air on visits to the park or outside in the garden. They have scooters and bikes and access swings and other large equipment. Children also learn about how fruit and vegetables grow and what is needed to keep living plants and animals healthy. They grow strawberries and potatoes and help prepare them for cooking and eating. This helps children to gain an understanding about the natural world and provides good opportunities to develop language and vocabulary. Children use the new words during creative play sessions. They paint leaves and make figures out of conkers and use play dough to make sausages.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding of how children learn through play. She This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 regularly observes children, effectively tracking their progress and assessing areas of specific interest or difficulty. Using these observations and her knowledge of individual children, the childminder plans activities that support them in making good progress. For example, she helps children to learn about number and to develop problem-solving skills through their interest in learning outdoors. Children are encouraged to shake bushes and watch for insects to fall onto paper. They count legs and bodies and use mathematical language and concepts, such as bigger and smaller to describe the bugs. Children have access to a good range of toys that supports their understanding of new technology. For example, they have a keyboard and toys that make different noises. Children's understanding and use

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and outcomes for children

of different languages, number skills and technology provide a strong foundation for future learning.

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and outcomes for children

Children have very good relationships with each other and with the childminder who has high expectations for good behaviour. She gives clear explanations and uses a wide range of positive strategies to promote respect. As a result, children are learning to share, to take turns and to become independent and confident learners. The childminder makes effective use of books, dolls and everyday objects, such as packaging from around the world, to introduce new ideas and to promote diversity. 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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