Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY439695 Inspection date 27/06/2012 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 works from the home of another childminder in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The home is within walking distance of local amenities, such as, schools, the library, shops and parks. The family has a pet dog, a budgerigar 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, three of whom may be in the early years age range. When working with another registered childminder they may care for a maximum of eight children under eight years at any one time, six of whom may be in the early years age range. The childminder currently has 16 children on roll in this age group, some of whom attend on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years and is registered to provide overnight care for one child aged from birth to two years. The childminder supports children who have special educational needs and/or disabilities and 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

In the short time the childminder has been caring for children she has developed an inclusive, warm and stimulating environment which is conducive to effectively promoting children's care and learning. Together with her co-childminder, she ensures that positive partnerships with parents mean that children's individual needs are well met. Partnerships with other settings are less well established. A good range of resources support most aspects of children's learning. The childminder constantly evaluates her practice and that of her co-childminder and demonstrates a strong commitment to ongoing improvement. Comprehensive and well-organised documentation promotes and safeguards children's welfare.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the provision of resources that help broaden young children's understanding of other cultures and reflect more positive images of diversity  develop further the links with other settings providing for children in the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure continuity and coherence to support outcomes for children. 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 clear understanding of the possible signs of child abuse and the procedures to follow to make a referral of any concerns or to seek advice. She is responsible for conducting risk assessments within her co-childminder's home. These are thorough and effective in ensuring that the environment is safe. Children are gaining a clear sense of their own safety. For example, they learn about stranger danger, house rules and how to cross roads safely. The childminder works very closely and effectively with her co-childminder. Most aspects of the provision are shared equally. For example, they take it in turns to prepare and cook the children's meals and snacks. Each also have their own responsibilities, such as ensuring fire drills are carried out and conducting risk assessments. The childminder promotes inclusive practice where each child is respected as an individual. There is a real 'family feel' as older children show consideration for the

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the early years provision

younger ones. Children who speak English as an additional language are well supported and their progress in spoken English is good. There are clear processes in place to effectively support any developmental concerns that the childminder may identify and to ensure these are discussed with parents. The childminder demonstrates a positive attitude towards working with other professionals in order to support children's individual needs where necessary.

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the early years provision

The childminder creates a stimulating, welcoming and child-centred environment where children enjoy their learning and actively engage in all that they do. For example, they freely access a wide range of resources stored at their level, to support and extend their own ideas. These are labelled with words and pictures, which helps them to begin to understand that print carries meaning. Free-flow play opportunities between the indoor and outdoor environment ensure that children get plenty of fresh air and access to an extended range of activities. The childminder has a positive attitude towards working in partnership with other settings that children also attend. However, although letters requesting information have been sent, no response has been received and no other strategies have been attempted. This does not help to ensure continuity for children and between settings. Effective partnerships with parents have been established. A wealth of

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the early years provision

information is available to parents in folders, on noticeboards, in the comprehensive policy folder and in regular newsletters. Parents' feedback is important to the childminder and questionnaire responses are extremely positive about the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder shares the same vision for her provision as her co-childminder. She is wholly committed towards providing the best possible care and learning opportunities for the children and uses her relevant experience and qualification to effectively achieve this. The childminder completes a personal progress tracker which details her strengths, areas of development and training needs as well as constructive comments from her co-childminder to help her in her continued professional development. She works together with her co-childminder to constantly evaluate and develop practice. Action plans have been created with detailed information about how areas will be developed, by whom and the impact of the changes for children. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good understanding about how children learn. She uses many spontaneous opportunities to promote learning and extend children's knowledge. For example, when they are looking at the uncooked vegetables for lunch, the childminder asks the children what 'raw' means to promote their understanding of different words and concepts. Activities are very well supported by the childminder and effectively challenge and extend children's learning. For example, they choose pictures of places that they would like to visit in travel brochures and cut them out. The childminder promotes discussion about holidays they have been on, where their family comes from and how they stay in touch with them. Observation, planning and assessment systems are very well established and effective in securely monitoring children's progress and planning for their future learning. The childminder knows all children very well. She works hard with

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and outcomes for children

her co-childminder to ensure that all activities are stimulating and adapted appropriately to meet individual children's needs and ages.

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and outcomes for children

Children thoroughly enjoy their time at the setting. They are developing good relationships with each other, are polite and behave very well. They are happy, confident and developing their independence well. Children self-register when they arrive, identifying their first names and photographs, which helps them to begin to recognise familiar words. Numeracy is well promoted throughout activities and opportunities, such as setting the table, are well used to encourage children to work out, for example, how many napkins are needed. Children take an interest in their immediate environment, noticing when remnants of red paint have coloured the gravel. Older children are introduced to different cultures, backgrounds and countries through a good range of planned activities. However, there are few resources and images reflecting diversity to give younger children positive messages about the wider world through their play. Children are encouraged to

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and outcomes for children

recycle items and are able to correctly identify which bin their items need to go in. They are active and enjoy exercise sessions, learning about why this is beneficial to their good health. Babies just becoming more mobile are well supported as they use low-level furniture to pull themselves to standing. Children's creativity is well supported through art, craft and role play activities.

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and outcomes for children

Good hygiene procedures are practised by both the childminder, her co- childminder and the children. For example, gloves are worn when changing nappies and children sanitise their hands before eating snack. Food provided is very healthy and menus are colour coded to ensure there is a balance of provision across all food groups. Great effort goes into these to ensure that all children's preferences are acknowledged. Children are fully involved in snack and meal preparation, for example, cutting up their own cheese and pouring their own drinks. This encourages an enjoyment of mealtimes and their independence. All documentation to support and effectively underpin children's welfare and safety is in place and well organised. For example, accident records are well maintained as well as those records relating to the administration of any medication. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

behave very well. This is in direct response to the stimulating environment, good levels of adult support and positive interaction. 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 3 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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