Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY441630 Inspection date 24/07/2012 Inspector Lynn Clements

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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 2012. She co-childminds with another childminder and is registered to work from her co-childminder's home. This is situated in a residential area of Soham, near Ely. A purpose built nursery unit set in the grounds of the co-childminder's house is used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available 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, of whom not more than two may be in the early years age group and of these, not more than one may be under one year at any time. When working together with her co-childminder they may care for a maximum of nine children under eight years; of these, not more than five may be in the early years age group, and of these, not more than two may be under one year at any one time. Together they are currently caring for five children in the early years age group and five older children. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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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 takes the time to learn about each of the children in her care, enabling her to support their welfare and future learning. Under the watchful eye of the childminder children discover the world around them in a safe and happy setting. Overall, partnerships with parents and all those involved with the children are purposeful and include making sure that any child with additional needs are well supported. This attention to planning allows children to make good progress given their age, ability and starting points. The childminder reflects on her practice, with some involvement from others, identifying training and areas for development in order to improve the service she provides.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further systems for working in partnership with other settings the children attend in order to provide balanced support to build on children's individual learning needs  develop further systems of self-assessment, involving parents and children, in order to continue to build on good practice and ensure continuous improvement. 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 about keeping children safe and secure in the setting. She knows how to make a child protection referral if she has a concern and children's safety is of paramount importance to her. The childminder understands the need for Criminal Record Bureau checks and never leaves children unsupervised with adults who have not been vetted. She has developed a wide range of policies and procedures which are pertinent to her setting. The childminder works with a co-minder and together they provide good quality care in a safe and secure setting. The childminder has completed training above that required by legislation, implementing her knowledge in practice for the direct benefit of the children. All records required by legislation are in place and updated as required. Required parental permission is sought for outings and this, together with rigorous risk assessments, minimises potential hazards and means that

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the early years provision

children remain safe. Paediatric first aid training has been completed and this enables the childminder to provide care in the event of an emergency.

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the early years provision

All resources and the environment in which children are cared for in are excellent and clearly provide children with stimulating opportunities which excite their imagination and fully encourage their involvement. Attention to child accessible storage enables the children to build on their independence skills as they self- select resources. There is no bias in the childminder's practice in relation to gender, race or disability. This positive approach enables her to plan and provide learning opportunities which help children to learn about similarities and customs of the wider world. Children enjoy a variety of topics and have access to positive images and multicultural resources.

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the early years provision

Partnership with parents are strong and significant in making sure that the needs of individual children are met and that they enjoy continuity of care as they move between their home and the setting. Parents report that their children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder, talking avidly about it throughout the week. Parents feel safe and secure when leaving their children in the setting and say that they would not hesitate in recommending this service to other families. Partnerships with other settings are in place. The childminder has identified this as an area for further development in order that all persons involved in the care and education of the children work together to provide challenge and continuity in their learning. The childminder and co-childminder reflect on their joint practice to identify areas for improvement. However, whilst this is under development they do not yet fully include the ideas and comments of parents and children in order to

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the early years provision

make sure that their setting remains sustainable and continues to meet user needs well. 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 knowledge and understanding about how young children learn through free-flow play and investigation. She acts as a key person in the setting, compiling learning records of the progress each child is making. The identification of children's next steps in learning are used to inform future planning. This makes sure that the childminder builds on each child's existing learning and skills. Children make good progress at expected levels and some are exceeding this. All children have fun and enjoy their time in the setting. The childminder uses a range of good teaching methods to support their learning and communications skills, including intonation, simple sign language and providing time for the children to listen and respond with their own ideas.

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and outcomes for children

Children wash their hands at pertinent times and learn about the importance of physical exercise and healthy eating as part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Babies and very young children appear content and settled because their health, physical and dietary requirements are well met. Children learn to keep themselves safe, for instance, as they take part in emergency evacuation drills or access resources and tools safely. Children also learn about calling 999 in an emergency.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy problem solving as they work out how to unscrew the cap on their water shooter and fill it up ready to squirt. They also enjoy using their imagination as they develop role play games, such as camping in their tents. Children use wheeled toys with competence, negotiating safe pathways and displaying their balance and coordination skills. They chat happily together and younger children babble excitedly as they observe others at play. They develop their speaking and listening skills as they share their ideas about what they want to play with or as they listen to stories with the childminder. Very young children make their needs known as they reach out for toys or put their hands up to the childminder when they are tired. Children enjoy creative play and manipulate play dough creating three dimensional models. All children enjoy learning through play and free flow exploration. 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 1 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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