Keegan, Alison Clare

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 04/09/2013 14/01/2009

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 2 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 3 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 3

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This provision is satisfactory

 The childminder provides a child-orientated environment within her home to enable children to make choices in what they play with as resources are stored within their reach.  The childminder has undertaken a review of her practice and has set clear targets for improvement to benefit children.  The childminder has a range of documentation and policies to support her practice and the ongoing learning and development of the children who attend.  The childminder ensures that children's safety is promoted as her home is safe and secure and all hazards have been minimised or removed.

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It is not yet good because

 The childminder has not established ways to encourage parents to share information regarding their child's achievements at home so that she can build up a precise and full picture of children's learning and development, in order to accurately plan for their future learning.

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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

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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.

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Information about this inspection

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

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Inspection activities

 The inspector discussed with the childminder how she intends to deliver the educational programmes for children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a range of policies and documents the provider will use when caring for children to support her practice.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector discussed with the provider her processes for self-evaluation and identifying areas for improvement.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed all areas of the home and garden that are used for childminding.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2008 and is on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three children aged 14, 10 and eight-years-old in the village of Fen Drayton, Cambridge and uses the whole of the ground floor and the garden for childminding. The family pet is a dog.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends a group and the local children's centre with children. She also takes them on visits to the local shops and park on a regular basis. She takes children to and collects them from the local schools and pre-schools.

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Information about the setting

There were no children in the early years age group present during the inspection. The childminder provides a childminding service during term time only from 8am to 6pm, Monday to Thursday and on Friday from 8am until 3.15pm, except for family holidays. She is a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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

 improve ways of encouraging and including parents' contributions about their children's achievements at home so that this information can be used and taken into account when planning for children's future learning.

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who attend

There were no children in the early years age group present when this inspection took place and as a result the inspector was unable to observe the childminder working with minded children. This has inpacted on the overall inspection judgement. Evidence for this inspection was obtained through discussions with the childminder and looking at the documents and records the childminder has in place. The childminder demonstrates how she supports children's literacy skills and helps them to gain an appreciation of books through the range of books available and the story sacks she has on loan from the children's centre. The childminder's activity planning documents show that she also takes children to visit the mobile library when it arrives in the village. Through discussion, the childminder is able to demonstrate how she supports children's language and communications skills. For example, she said that she would sing songs and rhymes, using

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who attend

lots of repetition and talk and interact with them. The childminder has progress records to record the observations that she undertakes on early years children's learning. These show that she has provided children with a wide range of activities and outings to support their learning well. They reflect that all seven areas of learning are included and that the children's next steps in learning have been clearly identified and planned for, to help children make suitable progress. The childminder has documentation in place covering the range of activities that she has planned for children, to support their ongoing progress in readiness for future learning. However, there has not been any successful strategies employed by the childminder, to engage parents in sharing information about their children's learning and achievements at home. This does not help the childminder to have an accurate, all-round picture of children's

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who attend

development in order to plan more precisely for their future learning needs.

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who attend

The playroom has a wide range of resources for children of different ages; these reflect the seven areas of learning so that children's early education can be fully supported.

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

The childminder discussed and showed the range documentation she has in place to obtain a range of information from parents when children first start to attend her setting. This is done through an initial meeting to discuss children's individual needs and she asks parents to complete an 'All about me' form so she can find out about their children's starting points. This provides the childminder with information to plan a range of appropriate activities and to provide resources to meet children's individual interests. She invites parents and their children for a trial session to help children to settle, so they can become familiar with their surroundings and get to know the childminder. The childminder has a secure garden with a range of equipment so that children have opportunities to explore the natural world and exercise, to promote their physical well-being.

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

The childminder has a range of toys which are age and stage appropriate, so that children are able to make independent choices about their play. Children can access a wide range of resources, which are stored in open shelving at their height in the playroom. The childminder has developed good relationships with staff at the local primary school and pre-school to help support children when they transfer to full-time education.

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

The childminder stated that she would welcome all children into the setting regardless of their background. Her equal opportunities policy is shared with parents to ensure that no child is discriminated against and is used to promote inclusion. Through her written planning the childminder is able to demonstrate that she plans activities for children to develop their understanding of cultural differences and to support children's awareness of the wider community. The childminder helps children to learn about staying safe on the school run as she has documentation in place to share with minded children about road safety. The childminder displays the 'house rules' that help children to learn how to play well together and get to know the expected codes of behaviour in the childminder's home. The childminder ensures that any food provided to children includes healthy options to promote their health and meet their dietary requirements. The childminder works closely

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

with the local school to help support and prepare children for when they start full-time education.

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provision

The childminder has written safeguarding children policies and procedures in place, which she shares with parents and she is aware of her role and responsibility with reference to reporting any concerns. The childminder has completed risk assessments to identify and address any hazards and promote children's safety, both in the home and garden. To further promote children's safety, risk assessments have been completed for each type of outing the childminder takes minded children on.

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provision

Through a range of documentation the childminder has in place and through discussions, the childminder is able to demonstrate that she has a good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and has completed additional training to develop her understanding. This enables her to support children's learning and development appropriately. Information about the childminder's practice is shared with parents through her range of policies and procedures when children start to attend, which means that they are well informed about her service. The childminder states that she shares information about the children's day, verbally with parents. This ensures that parents are kept informed of their children's daily routine and the activities they participate in.

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provision

This inspection took place as the childminder received a low-level warning letter following an investigation by Ofsted as the childminder failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event. As a result, the childminder is now fully aware of the need to report any significant events or changes in the household to Ofsted. Through discussions and her documentation, the childminder is able to demonstrate that she has a good understanding of local safeguarding children procedures in order to promote the welfare of children in her care.

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provision

The childminder has reviewed her practice and has clearly identified areas for development. For example, she has identified and undertaken further training to ensure that her knowledge remains current and to develop her practice and improve outcomes for children. Older, minded children and a parent have provided positive written feedback on the childminder's practice and the activities they enjoy. The childminder uses appropriate guidance documentation to ensure that children are progressing in line with the typical range of development expected for their age. The childminder has in place a range of relevant documentation to support children's learning and development.

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provision

Through discussion the childminder is able to demonstrate her understanding of how children learn and the range of activities and resources that children are provided with so they can make suitable progress in their learning. The childminder states that she would share children's progress records with other providers if children were attending other settings. Also, information about children's progress and development, their interests and learning needs would be passed on to support transitions to promote continuity of care. For older children the childminder carries on topics and themes children learn at school to help consolidate their learning.

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The Childcare Register

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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY371500 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 930833 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 9

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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.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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,

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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’.

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Type of provision

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

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