Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY441974 Inspection date 29/08/2012 Inspector Veronica Sharpe

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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 lives with her husband and three children aged 13, four and one in the Chesterton area of Cambridge, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than one may be in the early years age range. She is able to provide overnight care for one child under eight years. There are currently three children on roll in the early years age group. 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 have affectionate relationships with the childminder and show they enjoy her company. The childminder provides a broad range of enjoyable activities that reflect children's interests and aptitudes, as a result, they all make good progress in their learning and development. Resources are thoughtfully deployed, enabling children to make their own choices, but do not yet fully promote positive images of diversity. Warm and positive partnerships with parents promote children's health, safety and welfare well. Risk assessments are mostly rigorously implemented, ensuring children play in a safe and secure environment. An effective system for self-evaluation helps the childminder to support continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance children's ability to keep themselves safe, for example, by practising the fire drill  develop further children's understanding of diversity by introducing more resources and activities that reflect other faiths, cultures and lifestyles.

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the early years provision

The childminder keeps children safe because she understands the procedures to be followed if she has child protection concerns. Clear written policies and procedures are shared with parents to ensure they know about the childminder's responsibilities to safeguard children. Children play in a safe and secure home because the childminder is conscientious about risk assessments and she supervises the children closely to keep them safe. The childminder has considered what she would do in the event of a fire, but has not yet practised the procedure This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 with the children, to ensure she enhances their safety further. The childminder organises her home well so children can move around safely. A good selection of quality toys and resources are easily accessible, enabling children to explore independently. However, there are fewer resources available to help children

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the early years provision

develop their understanding of diversity.

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the early years provision

The childminder has positive relationships with parents and shares information with them on a daily basis. Parents indicate they are very pleased with the childminder's provision. They say she offers a flexible settling in period to ensure children feel secure and happy. They particularly like the range of activities the childminder plans for their children, such as feeding the ducks. They say the childminder works well with them to encourage their children's development, for example, discussing consistent ways to help a young child learn to walk. Parents receive a comprehensive range of written policies to ensure they are familiar with the provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder has developing partnerships within the local community, for example, she meets with other childminders for both professional and social support. At the time of the inspection none of the children attend other settings, but the childminder shows she is aware of the importance of sharing information with others in order to fully support children's development. There are no children attending who have special educational needs and/or disabilities, but the childminder would work with parents and other professionals to meet each child's needs. The childminder evaluates her provision and has completed a local authority Quality Framework scheme. She attends courses and workshops where possible to increase her knowledge and improve the outcomes for children.

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and outcomes for children

Children show they feel safe and secure in the childminder's care. They explore the resources and move around the home with confidence. The childminder encourages children to be kind and share, through patient reinforcement, as a result, children have developed firm friendships. The childminder provides a broad and balanced range of activities that take into account children's ages and interests. She knows the children well and has well-established systems to collect and share information with parents. As a result children make good progress in their learning and development. Children who have English as an additional language receive good support, the childminder works with parents to ensure she has an understanding of key words and phrases, which helps children settle and feel at home. The childminder makes sure her home is welcoming and displays photos of the children to promote their self-esteem and sense of belonging.

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and outcomes for children

Children have lots of opportunities to explore the local area as they go for daily walks and enjoy active play on the large equipment in the parks. Visits to local activity groups help children develop their social skills and enable them to make relationships with others. At the childminder's home, children readily access books and enjoy sharing stories. They help to build train tracks and find engines to push around the track. Large floor puzzles attract children's interest and develop their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 understanding of size, shape and colour. The childminder talks to the children constantly, commenting on their play, this encourages good language development and listening skills. Children of all ages benefit from daily sensory experiences, such as, playing with sand, water and play dough. Children begin to understand the use of numbers in enjoyable ways, for example, they sing counting songs.

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and outcomes for children

Electronic toys, such as, toy telephones, a toy supermarket and musical instruments ensure children develop an aptitude for modern technology, which supports their future learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder promotes children's health successfully by providing a balanced range of nutritious meals and snacks. Children participate in planting and harvesting fruits and vegetables, which enhances their understanding of healthy, balanced diets. Active physical play on a daily basis helps children develop positive attitudes, for example, they play on large equipment at the park or dance and move to music. Good hygiene practice is introduced at an early age so children learn to care for themselves, for instance, they climb confidently onto the step to wash their hands after playing outside. 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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