Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY348025 Inspection date 05/03/2012 Inspector Victoria Cornwell

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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 2007. She lives with her partner and two children aged five and nine years in Ely, Cambridgeshire. The childminder is close to local amenities, such as shops and the park and regularly visits these with the children.

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Description of the childminding

All areas of the childminder's house are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five on a part-time basis. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family has pet rabbits and fish.

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Description of the childminding

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 generally promotes the learning and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She knows the children well and as a result provides an inclusive environment that is warm and welcoming. Most policies support the setting and promote the welfare of the children that attend. Secure partnerships are established with the parents which support children's learning and development. The childminder is able to identify future areas for development and as a result has the capacity to maintain steady and continuous improvement. Identifying the positive impact the childminder's actions have on the overall development of the children will further support outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure an accurate record of risk assessments is kept clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Documentation) 06/04/2012

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the systems for self-evaluation further to identify the positive impact the childminders actions has on the children's development. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good knowledge of safeguarding procedures, she understands her legal obligation and knows who to report suspicions to should she suspect a child is being abused. As a result children are kept safe and are well protected. She regularly updates her training and keeps up to date with changes in procedures by reading information sent from the local authority. The childminder is vigilant when keeping children safe in the environment; she completes daily safety checks and keeps a record of monthly safety checks of all the equipment. Risk assessments are in place ensuring children's safety is maintained whilst out of the home. However, the childminder does not record the review process which is a breach of the specific legal requirement.

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the early years provision

The childminder provides an interesting learning environment and as a result the children engage in meaningful play opportunities. She provides an extensive range of resources which the children freely choose, as they move around the setting with confidence, returning to the childminder for reassurance when needed. The childminder extends the learning environment to the outside area, offering opportunities for sand and water play and physical activities.

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the early years provision

The childminder confidently identifies strengths and areas of improvement that need developing; however, her self evaluation does not identify the positive impact her planning and activities have on the children. The childminder makes good use of training opportunities offered by the local authority which consolidates her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage. Meeting regularly with other childminders allows her to share practice and keep up to date with current thinking.

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the early years provision

Children in the setting benefit from the inclusive practice demonstrated by the childminder. She is aware of the advantages of strong partnerships and although currently she is the sole Early Years Foundation Stage provider for the children, she demonstrates a good knowledge of the practices she would follow.

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the early years provision

The childminder fosters good relationships with their parents, sharing information with them verbally each day concerning their child's development. Summative records of the children's achievements in the six areas of learning are sent home to parents each term, providing them with the opportunity to make comments. Regular newsletters keep parents abreast of activities their children will be taking part in.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy a vast range of activities and the learning environment is welcoming and inviting to them. Resources are well presented and accessible and as a result children enthusiastically explore their environment. The childminder makes effective use of the outdoor provision and sets up a variety of activities covering This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the six areas of learning. For example, there are opportunities to grow fruit and vegetables, use programmable toys, and enjoy sand and water play, large scale painting, role play and physical play. Therefore, children make good progress towards the early learning goals and develop skills for the future.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder follows the children's home routines, and they feel safe because they anticipate what will happen next. The routines are flexible and adapted to meet the needs of children. The childminder effectively communicates with the parents on arrival and information is shared regularly what the children have been doing at home and how this might impact on the day. The parents provide packed lunches and snacks, and a healthy eating policy is in place and shared with the parents. This helps them as they work together to ensure the children are offered a range of healthy foods at meal times. Robust hygiene practices ensure that children learn about the spread of germs. They are encouraged to wash their hands at key times throughout the day and children demonstrate their understanding by incorporating this routine into their 'potty training' role play.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder supports the children's understanding of equality and diversity in a range of ways. Children are helped to understand differences in the society they live in and the wider world through meaningful activities. Recently the children completed a toddle waddle raising money for a charity so they learned about other children who are less fortunate. The childminder took the children to the local library and borrowed non-fiction books which further supported this theme.

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and outcomes for children

The children in the setting are kind and considerate of each other's needs which is supported by the childminder who implements an effective behaviour management policy. The children understand the behaviour expected of them and demonstrate this throughout their play. This continues outside the provision where the children play a part in the wider community by attending regular groups at the local children's centre. Children enjoy visiting the local library, returning books and swapping them for new ones. Parents contribute to the learning and development of the children by regularly meeting with the childminder outside of minded hours. Daily diaries show photos of the activities the children have enjoyed and parents are encouraged to contribute to these and the summative reports. 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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