Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 20/03/2013 06/03/2009

p.1

early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 3 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

p.1

This provision is good

 The childminder understands how children learn. She supports the children to make good progress through both child-initiated and structured activities. The accessible resources meet individual children's interests and keep them motivated.  The childminder places a sharp focus on helping children to acquire communication and language skills and on supporting the development of early reading skills. Consequently, children make good progress in their learning.  Children build secure attachments with the childminder. This ensures that they are settled and happy in the provision.  The children behave very well. This is because the childminder sets firm boundaries while encouraging and praising good behaviour.

p.1

It is not yet outstanding because

 The educational programme for expressive arts and design is limited by the range of media and materials that the children have to explore.

p.1

Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are:  scheduled at least once in every inspection cycle – the current cycle ends on 31 July

p.2

Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  scheduled at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the kitchen and living room.  The inspector talked with the childminder.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at professional development records, a range of policies and other documentation.

p.2

Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents from information provided by the childminder.

p.2

Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2003 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband in Isleham, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the property is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet dog. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. She takes children to the local park. The childminder is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years. There are currently seven children on roll, of whom two are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder is able to provide care on weekdays during school term time and during the school holidays.

p.3

To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 strengthen the educational programme for expressive arts and design by enhancing opportunities for children to explore a wider range of media and materials.

p.3

who attend

The childminder is experienced at working with young children and has a good knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop. She is skilled at promoting children's learning through interesting activities that engage children. Children's independence is successfully promoted as they are able to make choices about what they play with. The childminder provides a stimulating range of activities tailored to the interests and needs of each child. She is careful to achieve a good balance between activities that she initiates and those chosen by the children.

p.3

who attend

The childminder ensures that the children have plenty of opportunities for developing an interest in language and reading. The childminder and the children sit together on the sofa. The children settle for the story, they are attentive and enjoy being read to. The childminder talks to the children about what is happening, she asks questions to stimulate discussion and the children eagerly respond. The children count objects on the pages of the book and enjoy looking at and discussing the pictures. The childminder is careful to fully involve all the children in the activity. The children are developing a love of books and know that information can be relayed in the form of print. The childminder ensures that the children are helped to develop early reading skills, consequently, they are being helped to acquire the necessary skills and a positive disposition towards learning. The childminder is committed to ensuring that children are ready to benefit when starting pre-

p.3

who attend

Children enjoy playing the game 'What is missing?' The childminder places a number of different pieces of fruit on a tray. The children are told to look away while a piece of fruit is removed. The children accurately identify a pear as missing from the tray. The childminder then asks the children what colour the different pieces of fruit are; children accurately recognise most of the colours but fail to identify the banana as yellow. The children are able to recognise and name each piece of fruit. The children thoroughly enjoy this adult-led activity and as a result, are learning to recognise and identify different fruits and colours and to take turns. The children enjoy the opportunity of building a tower with wooden bricks. They each build a tower and are pleased with the outcome of their efforts. The childminder offers praise and encouragement and this contributes to the children's confidence and self-esteem. The younger children are successfully developing their skills in

p.4

who attend

The childminder collects information from parents about their children prior to them joining the setting. This information, together with a settling-in period where parents stay with their children, ensures that children settle quickly and happily into their new environment. The childminder makes regular observations and assessments of the children's progress. This information is used to plan children's next steps, ensuring their learning and development needs are met. The childminder regularly shares information with parents ensuring they are successfully involved in their child's learning. The childminder plans for each area of learning, however, while all areas are covered the educational programme for expressive arts is less well addressed. This area of learning is limited by the range of media and materials that the children have to explore. Consequently, this may impact on children being able to further develop their ideas and

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder knows each child very well. She exchanges relevant information with parents and so has a good understanding of each child's needs, interests and abilities. The childminder praises and encourages the children, in this way she is helping to develop their self-esteem and confidence. She is sensitive to their emotional needs and supports the children to develop secure attachments to her. The children feel safe in her care. Children are encouraged to be independent they can choose what they would like to play with. They know that they should tidy away their toys when they have finished playing with them. The children behave very well because the childminder sets firm boundaries and reinforces good behaviour with praise. The children are undoubtedly developing the skills they need for their transition to pre-school and school.

p.4

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

The childminder is careful to ensure that children are supported to lead a healthy life style. She frequently takes the children for walks and to the park and ensures that they get plenty of fresh air and exercise, this promotes their health and well-being. The indoor environment is spacious and children move around freely and independently. Children learn the importance of basic personal hygiene they know to wash their hands before eating and after using the toilet. They are beginning to understand about the importance of health and hygiene. The children enjoy eating fruit and they know that this is good for them. Water is available throughout the day so the children remain hydrated. They use utensils to eat their food and sit properly at the table.

p.4

provision

The childminder is experienced in working with young children and has a good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She is confident in her knowledge of how children learn and gives a high priority to developing the children's skills in communication, language and reading. She provides a stimulating and enjoyable range of activities for the children in her care. Children are encouraged to make choices and to be independent learners.

p.5

provision

Relationships with parents are strong and the childminder works in partnership with them. This helps to ensure that children's care is consistent and the childminder is able to support parents in promoting their child's overall development. The childminder understands her responsibility to work in partnership with other childcare providers and professionals to enhance learning opportunities. She liaises closely with the staff at the local school. She is able, therefore, to provide continuity of provision for the children between the settings. The childminder receives visits from the local authority's early years adviser.

p.5

provision

The childminder has a good understanding of how to protect children in her care and is vigilant about their supervision. There are full written risk assessments in place for the house and garden. A procedure is in place for the emergency evacuation of the home and children are familiar with this. In the event of a child protection issue the childminder has the necessary information and telephone numbers to contact appropriate services. She has a first aid qualification and has been suitably vetted to work with young children. The childminder is committed to offering the best possible provision for the children and she aims to provide an environment that is caring and stimulating. She has carried out a self- evaluation and has systematically addressed the actions and recommendations from her previous inspection. Feedback on her provision is obtained from the children and this confirms that they enjoy the activities and are very positive about the setting.

p.5

The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met

p.5

Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement action. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

p.6

Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

p.6

Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.7

Setting details

Unique reference number 222161 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 818214 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 8 Total number of places 3 Number of children on roll 7

p.7

Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

p.7

Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

p.7

Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

p.7

Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

p.7

Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises, which are usually the childminder’s own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.8

Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

p.8

Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

p.9

Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.9