Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY390843 Inspection date 15/02/2012 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 2009. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and nine years in a village close to Wisbech, 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 five children at any one time, of these no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. 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 drives and walks to a range of local groups and amenities. The family has one dog, three cats, five chickens, birds in an aviary and goldfish. 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 works with parents to ensure children are settled in her care and she understands each child's individual needs which help them to feel safe and secure. Some of the required documentation is not in place which means there is a breach of regulations. The childminder is aware of the strengths and areas for improvement of her provision. The childminder provides a sound range of activities to help children make satisfactory progress in their learning and development. She deploys her resources so that children can make some independent choices about their play.

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further?

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

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further?

 obtain all necessary information from parents for all children which include emergency contact numbers and dietary and health requirements (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare). 01/03/2012

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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 and provide opportunities for parents to contribute to the record of their child's progress towards the early learning goals  improve the wording to the written consent to seek emergency medical This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 treatment to ensure it is clear  improve further the two-way flow of communication between parents and the childminding provision to ensure parental consents are clear so that parents know about the daily routines  revise the safeguarding and complaints policy to ensure they are both up-to- date.

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the early years provision

Most of the required records are in place. However, some of the necessary information is not in place for all children which compromises children's welfare in an emergency. 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 her role in safeguarding children and is aware of the appropriate procedures to put into practice when necessary. Documentation is in place to promote the welfare of children such as daily attendance registers and accident records. However, the policy for safeguarding and complaints is not up-to-date and the wording for emergency, medical consent is not completely clear to ensure children's health and safety. Risk assessments are in place to ensure that hazards are identified and minimised. The childminder supervises children as they play, making sure her home is secure so that children cannot leave unattended.

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the early years provision

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. The childminder is beginning to identify some areas of strength and areas which require development in order to maintain continuous improvement. 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 consistency of care. Parents receive daily verbal and written feedback so that they know about their child's day. However, some written permissions are not clear which means parents are not fully informed of their child's activities. Written feedback from parents expresses their satisfaction of the childminding provision and the quality of care. The

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the early years provision

childminder has a positive attitude to liaising with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder helps children to gain an awareness of how to keep safe, both in the home and on outings. They learn about how to cross the road safely and they practise the fire drill so that they know what to do in an emergency. Children enjoy opportunities for plenty of fresh air and exercise as they walk regularly to local amenities. They are beginning to learn about healthy eating because the childminder provides balanced, nutritious meals so children can make healthy choices. Appropriate procedures are in place for recording accidents and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 medication; the childminder ensures she is able to respond appropriately if children have an accident as she has completed an appropriate first aid course.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a sound understanding of how young children learn and this enables her to provide experiences and activities to satisfactorily support each child's learning and development. The childminder observes children in their play and takes photographs of them to illustrate the activities they enjoy. This demonstrates that they are making sound progress across the areas of learning and development. 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.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder provides a welcoming environment where each child is valued and they are relaxed and comfortable in her care. Children are developing independence skills as they help themselves to toys and they are encouraged to learn about sharing through turn taking games. The childminder has appropriate systems in place to care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Resources are in place that helps children gain awareness of the diverse society in which they live. They learn about the wider community as they visit local amenities and they socialise with others at a variety of group sessions.

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and outcomes for children

Children begin to develop early language skills as they chat and babble readily with the childminder who responds to their talk. She repeats and models key words to promote their language development. Children begin to develop early literacy skills through drawing and they enjoy looking at books and sharing stories and visits to the local library further enhance their literacy skills. The childminder develops children's learning by introducing mathematical concepts such as counting and colour recognition in their play and when out on walks. Children learn problem solving skills as they operate simple equipment such as push and play or pop-up toys and they show curiosity as they find out how things work. These simple activities begin to lay satisfactory foundations to develop children's future skills. 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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