Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25/09/2013 21/11/2012

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 4 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

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This provision is good

 Children show they are happy and settled and have formed positive attachments with the childminder. As a result, they play confidently in her care.  The childminder has good links with parents and other providers that help her to support and complement children's learning. This helps children to make good progress in their learning and development.  The childminder has implemented robust systems to observe and assess children's interests and abilities, which enables her to plan effectively for their individual learning needs.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is capacity to improve the range of outdoor activities that enable children to explore and investigate natural materials to further support their understanding of the world.  The childminder occasionally has a tendency to pre-empt children's learning needs and find resources for them, rather than encouraging them to think about their needs and find things for themselves.

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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 observed children's play indoors and out.  The inspector spoke with the children and the childminder during the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 A range of documentation was sampled, including policies and procedures, accident records, planning documents and the children's learning journals.  The inspector toured the areas of the home used for childminding.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2012 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband in Little Paxton, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the property, apart from one bedroom, is used for childminding. There is an enclosed back garden for outdoor play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has two cats, a rabbit and some pond fish.

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Information about the setting

The childminder is currently caring for one child in the early years age range. She also provides care for her grandchildren. The childminder operates each weekday from 7am until 8pm, all year round. 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:

 enhance further the already well-resourced outdoor area to create more opportunities for children to investigate natural materials, such as soil, compost, sand and water

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

 extend opportunities for children to be even more actively involved in seeking out their own resources to extend their own play ideas and fully promote their independence.

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who attend

The childminder has developed a good understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. This enables her to provide a broad range of challenging and enjoyable activities that effectively cover the areas of learning. She confidently observes the children as they play to identify their skills and interests, and makes regular assessments to ensure they continue to make good progress. As a result, resources and activities are well planned and effectively meet children's learning needs. Each child has a personal learning journey that records their experiences and achievements, which is shared with parents and invites their comments. These, along with the daily diaries, enable parents to contribute well to their children's learning. Children are confident about new experiences and enjoy exploring the resources provided. The childminder makes lots of craft materials available, and children express their

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who attend

imagination beautifully as they make colourful paintings and versatile collages. Colourful wall displays of children's artwork promote their self-esteem and demonstrate their skill at drawing, gluing and cutting. The childminder has a good understanding of timely interventions, for example, she sits back to watch children drawing shapes together. When they show an interest in extending their learning, she talks about the other resources on offer to attract further explorations. This extends their learning and encourages them to persevere. Resources are well organised and easy to find. However, the childminder has a slight tendency to find things for the children. Consequently, their opportunities to further extend their independence and seek their own solutions are not entirely supported.

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who attend

The childminder encourages children's communication skills effectively as she responds positively to their ideas and questions. She engages them in conversations about their day at school and shows she values their contributions. A broad range of books are easily available so children develop their love of stories and are given opportunities to look for information. All this promotes their future learning well. Writing materials are plentiful and children show their enjoyment as they draw and colour freely with chalks, crayons and felt-tips. Children learn about their responsibilities to other living things as they help the childminder to look after the rabbit and feed the fish. The childminder helps children learn practical skills to prepare them for school. For example, she teaches them to manage their personal hygiene independently.

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

The childminder encourages parents to make settling-in visits and collects good information from them about children's routines and their interests and abilities at home. This helps children become familiar with her home and family and supports their transitions well. Children welcome the childminder's involvement in their activities and clearly feel safe and secure in her care. They play confidently in the well-organised play spaces and have good opportunities to choose their own activities.

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

The childminder supports children to learn good behaviour through clear boundaries. She is polite and kind to the children, and helps them learn good, social behaviour. Children show a positive awareness of the expectations, for example, they know that meals and snacks are taken at the table. The childminder is very safety conscious and supervises the children closely as they play. She talks to children about hazards, for example, they discuss cycling the same way around the garden to avoid collisions. Children practise the evacuation plan so they learn to keep themselves safe in emergencies.

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

The childminder provides children with healthy snacks and ensures they have enough to drink. She has healthy eating policies that aid parents' choices when providing their children's lunches or main meals. Children learn good habits as they sit at the table and eat their meals and snacks with the childminder. Cooking activities, such as making dough for bread rolls or home-made pizza, help children to develop a practical understanding of cooking skills that promote healthy lifestyles. Children develop a good understanding of personal hygiene because the childminder explains the importance of hand washing and cleaning food surfaces before use.

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

Children benefit from regular visits to parks and play areas for healthy exercise and enjoy daily walks. The childminder encourages children to play active games in her garden every day, for example, they enjoy pedalling their cycles and using the trampoline to promote their physical development. As a result, children develop positive attitudes towards healthy lifestyles. The childminder has a large, pleasant garden that supports children's overall development well in almost all respects. A spacious covered area means children enjoy outdoor play in all weathers and they spend a good deal of time in the fresh air. There are fewer opportunities, however, for children to investigate natural materials, for example, digging and planting, or having everyday access to sand and water.

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provision

The childminder has a suitable understanding of child protection issues and has implemented robust policies and procedures that ensure parents understand her responsibilities to keep children safe. She has attended training to update her knowledge of safeguarding and further enhance her ability to protect children. The childminder takes every precaution to keep children safe, for example, she has covered the pond securely. She makes daily checks of the home and garden, and rigorously assesses outings and activities that enable children to play safely. The childminder maintains her first aid qualification and is conscientious about recording any accidents and incidents to effectively support children's safety and well-being.

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provision

The childminder has good partnerships with parents to help her meet children's individual needs well. She talks to parents daily and has a written diary to summarise children's activities and experiences in her setting. A comprehensive range of written policies and procedures enable parents to gain a good understanding of the childminding provision. Parents indicate they are pleased with the quality of their children's care and learning. They say the childminder provides their children with activities they enjoy, and they welcome her interest in children's school work. The childminder has instigated partnerships with the local school so she can find out about activities and events. She has obtained information from other early years providers so she can effectively complement younger children's learning activities. As a result, she is able to ensure continuity of learning for those children who attend more than one setting.

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provision

The childminder has made significant improvements to her childminding service since the last inspection. She has met all of the actions and recommendations raised and has carried on to further enhance the provision. For example, she has created a dedicated playroom where children freely access a broad range of resources to support their development. She has attended a range of training courses and workshops, such as equal opportunities, that have had a beneficial effect on her knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She evaluates the activities and routines, and has a clear action plan for further change and development. All of this helps to ensure children make good progress in their learning and development.

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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 EY445257 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 895964 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 1

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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

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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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