Childminder, Out-of school day care in Peterborough

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY431843 Inspection date 10/05/2012 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 2011. She lives in a village near Peterborough with her adult child and two children aged 15 and eight years. Most of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is an additional first floor play area. Children have access to the fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The family has one dog and a cat. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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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 five children in this age group, all of whom attend school on a full-time basis. 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 provides an inclusive service to children, which means their welfare and development needs are effectively met and they are able to make good progress in their learning. Methods for observing and assessing children's learning are evolving. Continuity between school, home and the childminding provision is promoted very well. Generally, risk assessments are highly effective, which promotes children's safety. The childminder develops a positive relationship with parents and carers, seeking and taking account of their feedback in order to provide a service that meets their needs. The childminder is able to reflect on her practice and demonstrates a firm commitment to ongoing improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop and embed systems for observing and assessing children's learning so that this information can clearly and effectively be shared with others  develop systems of self-evaluation further, in order to support the effective identification, tracking and monitoring of any areas for future development  ensure that the risk assessment covers anything with which a child may come into contact; with specific reference to children having hot drinks.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures and has completed a training course on this subject. This knowledge is underpinned by a written policy which is shared with parents, as well as having the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 relevant literature and contact numbers in the event that she needs to make a referral or seek advice. Risk assessments are generally effective and clearly documented. These demonstrate that the childminder is aware of potential hazards and the action required to minimise these. However, the record of risk assessment does not cover everything with which a child may come into contact, such as the recently introduced practice of enabling some children to have hot drinks.

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the early years provision

Children freely access a wide range of resources in the designated playroom. They also make good use of another room for quieter activities and the spacious garden with challenging play equipment. Photographs of the children and examples of their work are displayed, giving them a strong sense of belonging, and they are proud to show others their efforts. The childminder promotes the inclusion of all children effectively. Through her voluntary work in the local reception class where the children also attend, she is able to provide good continuity of care based on her thorough knowledge of children's individual needs. She ensures that all children are able to access activities of their choosing and makes any necessary adaptations to ensure that they can fully participate. The childminder has formed very positive partnerships with the local school, sharing pertinent information to ensure that the wraparound care that she currently provides meets their needs

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the early years provision

after a day at school. She has also built up strong relationships with parents, keeping them fully updated about their children via the telephone and email and through discussions each day. Parental feedback is extremely positive, with comments such as 'the activities are varied and I struggle to pull my child away every evening because she is so engaged' and 'the childminder offers a fantastic and flexible service'.

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the early years provision

The childminder is clear that she wants the children to feel relaxed and calm in her care in a home-from-home environment. She is committed to further professional development is booked onto more courses in the future. The childminder clearly demonstrates that she is able to reflect on her practice and seek feedback from parents and children in order to evaluate what she offers. She has begun to complete the Ofsted self-evaluation form to be able to effectively track and monitor areas for further development.

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and outcomes for children

Observation and assessment systems are evolving. The childminder has recently attended training in this area and has begun to further develop the way that she evidences children's learning and progress so that this information can be efficiently and effectively shared with others. The childminder is clear about how she identifies and promotes children's next steps and continues to support the learning they undertake at school. Planned activities stem from topics covered at school and children's interests. For example, following the school's 'living and growing' theme, children were offered the opportunity at the childminder's home, to grow peppers, strawberries, tomatoes and a range of flowers.

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and outcomes for children

Children return to the childminder's home from school in a happy, relaxed and confident mood. They particularly enjoy creative activities, such as decorating their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 cakes for the 'jubilee' tea party they are holding, having made and designed their own crowns on a previous occasion. Children have good relationships with one another and older children happy to support younger ones. The childminder ensures that children's choices and decisions are respected throughout activities, and this in turn encourages them to solve simple problems, such as whether knives or spoons will be best for spreading the icing onto the cakes. She extends children's learning by giving them extra information, such as the correct name for the Union Jack flag. Children independently solve problems as they try to fit the Russian dolls inside one another and, realising when they have missed one out,

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and outcomes for children

The childminder is clear about how good hygiene routines promote children's good health and help to minimise the risk of cross-infection. Children wash their hands before activities involving food, commenting that in doing this they are 'washing the germs away'. Children arriving home from school have free access to a invitingly presented range of fresh fruit and enjoy various other healthy snacks. All documentation in relation to the administration of medication and the recording of accidents is well maintained and effectively safeguards children's welfare. Children begin to learn about their own safety during walks home from school. For example, they learn how to cross roads safely as well as to not talk to strangers. The childminder has a good understanding about behaviour management. She has a very calm, relaxed manner and this is reflected in the children's good behaviour. As a result, the atmosphere is busy but relaxed and very friendly. Children show

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and outcomes for children

respect for one another and spontaneously use good manners. 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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