Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY435677 Inspection date 14/05/2012 Inspector Jacqueline Mason

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged two and four years in a residential area of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. Local shops, school and a park are within walking distance. The childminder uses the whole of premises for childminding and children have supervised access to the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and also on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She may care for a maximum of four children at any one time. The childminder currently cares for two children on a part-time basis. One of these children is in the early years age group.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder supports children for whom English is an additional language and is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides a warm and welcoming environment that promotes inclusion. She has a satisfactory knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage to help children make steady progress towards the early learning goals. Most requirements are met to keep children safe and promote their good health. The childminder is developing friendly and trusting relationships with parents and is aware of the importance of working in partnership with others who provide care and learning for the children. Self-evaluation is beginning to be considered in order to plan for continuous improvements.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 provide parents with necessary information, with regard to the policy and procedure for safeguarding (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) 21/05/2012

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve the processes to observe and assess children's development in order to plan effectively for the next steps in individual children's learning and development  improve the processes for self-evaluation to identify the strengths and priorities for development that to bring about continuous and sustained improvement This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  promote the good health of children, with regard to encouraging children to wash their hands before eating.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the signs and symptoms of abuse to enable her to recognise when children may be at risk. She knows how to report concerns in line with Local Safeguarding Children Board guidelines and has the flowchart for referral displayed. However, the policy and procedure are not shared with parents to ensure that they are aware of the processes she would follow to safeguard children's welfare. Risk assessments are in place to identify risks to children's safety and steps are taken to enable them to play safely indoors and outside. All necessary fire control equipment is in place and the emergency evacuation procedure is displayed. A practice drill is carried out to ensure everyone knows what to do in an emergency to keep themselves safe.

p.5

the early years provision

Successful relationships have been established with parents. The childminder shares information verbally on a daily basis to keep them informed about their child's day and the service that is provided. She is aware of the importance of working in partnership with others who provide care and learning for the children so that any concerns about their learning or well-being can be quickly identified and managed. There are currently no children on roll who go to other settings.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder recognises the importance of self-evaluation and is beginning to develop processes to identify what she does well and what she feels she needs to improve. She has made changes to her childminding practice in response to her early childminding experiences, such as recognising that children were not showing enthusiasm for activities she had planned and therefore making changes to allow her setting to become more child-led. The childminder is enthusiastic about her own professional development and has recently started studying towards a relevant level 3 qualification.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder knows the children well and talks confidently about their individual routines, likes and dislikes. Her knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements is satisfactory and she maintains a record of observations, using photographs and written evidence, of what children are doing. Her methods to evaluate these observations are not robust in order to plan for the next steps in their learning, although she does plan some parts of her childminding week, such as outings to the library, toddler groups and 'soft play' sessions.

p.5

and outcomes for children

When in the childminder's home the play sessions are very much child-led, with children taking the lead in what they want to do. The childminder responds to their interests and provides activities that they find stimulating. Children enjoy playing with dried lentils and quickly move on from exploring the texture of them, pouring This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 them between containers and using them to pretend to cook. Older children show good coordination skills, stirring the lentils in the saucepans taken from the role play area, and then distributing them into cups for children and adults to pretend to eat.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children's dietary needs are met by the childminder as she provides meals and snacks for the children. They are helped to make healthy choices about what they eat and drink and are encouraged to try new tastes. Fresh fruit and vegetables are promoted. However, children are not sufficiently learning about good hygiene practices because the childminder does not always remind them to wash their hands before eating. The childminder has exclusion periods in place for children who are ill to reduce the risks of cross-infection and outdoor play is encouraged to help promote an active lifestyle. Children are encouraged to drink regularly to prevent them from becoming thirsty or dehydrated.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are developing skills for the future and are happy and settled in the care of the childminder. They have very good relationships with her and enjoy going to her for cuddles and support with activities, such as puzzles. They confidently sit with her for stories and enjoy hearing simple stories in Polish, as well as English. The childminder has good arrangements to support children who speak English as an additional language, respecting and promoting their home language, as well as providing them with opportunities to hear and speak English. Children are learning about the wider world, and developing positive attitudes to others, through toys, resources and regular outings into the local environment. Good behaviour is valued and praised and unwanted behaviour is managed sensitively, taking into account children's age and level of understanding. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 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

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

p.7

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 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 keep and implement a written statement of procedures to be followed for the protection of children, intended to safeguard the children being cared for from abuse or neglect (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 21/05/2012

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory part of the Childcare Register (Arrangements for safeguarding children) 21/05/2012

p.8