Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY425508 Inspection date 27/04/2012 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 2011. She lives with her husband and three children aged three, seven and 14 years old in Whittlesey, 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 four children under eight years at any one time, of these, no more than two may be in the early years age range and of these, one may be under one year old. She is currently minding three children in this age group, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years to 11 years. She 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 and attends the local groups. The family has one dog. 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

Children make good progress in their learning and development because the childminder deploys most of her resources well and provides a sound range of learning opportunities for each child. Good methods for observing, tracking and planning for children's learning are in place and parents are beginning to contribute. The childminder has established good relationships with parents and works with them to ensure that children's individual needs are well met. She demonstrates a strong commitment to continuous improvement and has clear plans to develop her service. All of the required documentation is in place to promote and safeguard children's welfare.

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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  develop further the outdoor space, in order to offer children freedom to explore, use their senses and be physically active. 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 understands the importance of informing Ofsted of any changes and all adults within the home have undergone checks to ensure their suitability. Children's welfare is safeguarded because the childminder is clear about her role and responsibilities to protect them and she shares her safeguarding policy with parents. The childminder supervises the children at all times and ensures the toys and materials they use are safe and appropriate for their ages. Clear risk assessments are in place to ensure that hazards are identified and minimised. Daily checks of the childminding home further improve children's safety. The childminder is organised with clear documentation and good record keeping. This promotes the safety and welfare of the children and underpins the good quality care offered. All these factors contribute to the childminder safeguarding children effectively.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good relationships with parents and gathers clear information from them, so that she is knows about children's individual interests and needs. Parents are kept informed about their child's day through the use of a daily diary, which is shared between the childminder and parents. Clear written policies and procedures are professionally presented to share with parents, so that they know about the childminding provision. Good written feedback demonstrates parents' high regard for the childminder and the service she offers. The childminder is sensitive to children's individual personalities when settling them into her home. This ensures a smooth transition for children between their home and the childminding home. She has developed good links with other providers, such as local pre-schools, enabling them all to work together to support the learning of children, whose care is shared.

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the early years provision

Documentation is in place to promote the welfare of children, such as their information records and attendance registers. The childminder organises space and play resources effectively to meet children's needs. She has a good understanding of children's individual abilities and this enables her to provide play experiences and activities to support each child's growing skills. However, the garden offers less opportunity for children to explore and be challenged in their learning in an outdoor environment. The childminder has a clear and realistic self-evaluation process to identify areas for future development. She reflects and evaluates her practice to ensure that children have good quality experiences and can make good progress in their learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children's independence and confidence is developing because the childminder organises toys and resources where they can access them. This allows children to be active learners and make choices about their play. The childminder has sound strategies in place to care for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Resources are in place that helps children gain awareness of the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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. The childminder provides an inclusive environment where each child is valued and they are clearly relaxed and comfortable in her nurturing care. For example, young children are readily comforted as they seek cuddles from the childminder, which ensures that their emotional needs are met and they feel secure and safe.

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and outcomes for children

Children confidently sort objects for colour, begin to count as they carefully stack bricks and learn about weight, as they measure ingredients in cooking activities. They observe how musical toys work and they confidently operate simple equipment, such as push and play or pop-up toys. Children enjoy looking at books and sharing stories with the childminder. They have access to a wide range of them, which they enjoy. They also visit the local library to choose additional books. This helps to foster children's enjoyment of books and they begin to understand that print carries meaning. Children have good opportunities to be creative in a range of activities, such as painting or exploring the different textures of a variety of interesting objects and materials. They readily draw and make marks with a range of utensils, such as, stamps, brushes and pens. These simple activities lay firm foundations for children's future learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder 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. Planning is in place and is flexible, so that it can be adapted to focus on and extend children's interests. The childminder observes children in their play and takes photographs of them to illustrate the activities they enjoy. Information gained from her observations is used to identify the next steps in each child's learning and shows how they are making good progress in their learning and development. Although, the learning records and the information gathered is shared with parents, they have fewer opportunities to support their child's learning at home, in order to contribute what they know about their child's progress.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages children to have a healthy attitude towards food because she makes sure that they have balanced and nutritious meals and snacks. Children enjoy lots of opportunities for exercise at the local park where they can move freely and practise their physical skills. They also regularly walk to local amenities. Babies have room to move, explore and sturdy furniture enables them to begin to pull themselves to standing. This helps them to develop good muscle control, feel relaxed and develop a sense of overall well-being. Children behave well because the childminder has clear boundaries to help them understand about responsible behaviour, so that they can play happily together. The childminder helps children to be aware of keeping 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. 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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