Childminder in Peterborough

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY307061 Inspection date 12/03/2012 Inspector Anna Davies

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and child aged 10 years in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The house is within walking distance of local amenities, such as schools, the library, shops and parks. The family has three rabbits and tropical fish.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding six children in this age group, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder supports children who speak English as an additional language. She 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 effective relationships with parents and works closely with them to ensure children's individual needs are well met. All of the required documentation is in place to promote and safeguard children's welfare. The childminder provides an inclusive service to children, which means their welfare and development needs are effectively met and they make good progress in their learning. Systems for self-evaluation are good, and the childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement and has clear plans to develop her service.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance systems of self-evaluation to show how the views of parents have been sought and considered  develop further the use of observation and assessment in order to plan more effectively for children's next steps, and show how these link into planning to promote individualised learning opportunities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and the action to take if she had concerns about a child in her care. Effective and detailed risk assessments are in place covering everything with which a child may come into contact, including outings undertaken with the children. This ensures that children are cared for in a safe environment. The childminder allows children the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 opportunity to take supervised risks, enabling them to understand safety in practice from a young age; for example, going up and down the stairs while supervised. They also learn about road safety when out and about and practise regular fire evacuation drills.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear understanding of the uniqueness of each child. She has developed warm and caring relationships with them and their families and this is wholeheartedly reflected in written feedback given by parents at inspection. The childminder is well organised and all documentation, records and policies are in place to support children's safety and welfare. Attendance at local groups gives children lots of opportunities to socialise with others and increases the range of activities they participate in. The childminder is currently developing her use of a computer software programme which she is finding very effective in helping her to manage all aspects of her childminding. She has previously cared for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. As a result, she fully understands the importance of liaising closely with parents and others to ensure children's individual needs are met and consistently supported.

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the early years provision

Parents state that they are particularly appreciative of the childminder's incorporation of children's home languages into the provision, showing respect for their backgrounds. Children make choices about their play from a good range of resources and toys. As a result, they spend extended periods of time engaged in activities that interest them. The childminder's garden provides good opportunities for learning and development. For example, children are able to use the large play equipment to support their growing physical skills and help look after to the rabbits as they learn about taking care of living things.

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the early years provision

The childminder fully understands the importance of working with other providers when children attend more than one setting, to promote continuity of care. She has developed close relationships with parents, giving them a wide range of written policies and procedures to ensure they are fully informed about the service she provides. Parents comment that they feel well informed about their children's care and learning. The childminder is enthusiastic and passionate about her job. She is committed to further professional development and has identified many courses that she plans to complete this year. Clear systems of self-evaluation are in place. These show that the childminder is fully able to reflect on her practice and identify well-targeted aspects to further improve and develop. However, she does not yet ask parents for formal feedback so that their views are able to be fed into the self-evaluation process, although she does intend to incorporate this.

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the early years provision

Effective action has been taken to address recommendations raised at the previous inspection. For example, children now have access to a wider range of resources and activities reflecting diversity, to broaden their knowledge and understanding of the world.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in their learning and development through a broad range of activities, both in the childminder's home and at local groups. Systems of observation, assessment and planning continue to evolve. However, links between This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the observations made, next steps of learning, and planning to show how activities support and promote individualised learning, are not yet completely secure. The childminder enthusiastically supports children as they play. She joins in with their role play, recognising opportunities to promote children's independence and self- help skills, for example, by encouraging them to fit the doll's shoes on by themselves. She incorporates number language as they play together and asks questions to extend children's ideas and imagination.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the calm and loving environment created by the childminder. It is evident that they share warm relationships with her. While they enjoy her active involvement, they are also content to play independently. They are familiar with routines and make many choices and decisions independently, such as which bottle to have their water in or which fruit they would like at snack time. Their language skills are developing well as the childminder talks to them constantly and responds warmly as they communicate with her. Children enjoy good opportunities for mark making as they draw, paint and chalk indoors and out. Children solve problems as they fit the Russian dolls back together in size order, while the childminder promotes the use of size language, such as 'big' and 'small', which children repeat. Children enjoy outings to a local farm, which encourages them to interact with nature and to explore natural resources. They are very interested in

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and outcomes for children

electronic toys and how they work. For example, they touch the doll's hands together to hear it speak. All of these simple activities lay secure foundations to support future learning. Children's physical development is enhanced through trips to the local gym where they learn balance and coordination on equipment, such as a trampoline. Their creativity is promoted through a good range of art and craft, role play and musical activities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has effective hygiene practices. For example, nappy changing procedures are effective in reducing the risk of cross-contamination, and antibacterial hand gel is secured outside the rabbit enclosure for children to use after contact with them. Young children understand effective hand washing procedures and join in with fun songs as they wash their hands after snack. Food and snacks provided are healthy, balanced and nutritious, and children are encouraged to get involved in activities, such as making their own fruit juice and smoothies or going to the farm to pick their own fruit. This encourages them to begin to understand about healthy options. Children behave well and the childminder shows them a great deal of love and respect. As a result, they feel very happy, secure and comfortable in her care. 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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