Childminder, Out-of school day care in Cambridgeshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 13/03/2014 19/03/2009

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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

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This provision is good

 Children are well protected in the care of the childminder because she has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and takes effective action to minimise potential hazards.  The childminder provides a wide range of stimulating resources and activities to interest children and promote their learning. The childminder also understands the importance of children freely accessing playthings and being able to relax after a day at school.  Good partnerships with parents are in place and this means children feel secure in the care of the childminder. As a consequence, they make good progress in their development and learning.  The childminder considers the opinions of parents, children and others in relation to the service she offers to families. As a result, plans for the future are well targeted.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Occasionally, children's independence is not enhanced at snack times because they do not always help to prepare and serve foods 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 activities in the childminder's house and in the garden.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with children and the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.  The inspector and childminder took part in a joint observation.  The inspector took the views of a parent into account.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a range of documentation including policies and procedures, children's records and training certificates.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2004 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 in Bluntisham, Cambridgeshire. The downstairs of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a garden for outside play. The family has a pet dog. The house is within walking distance of local amenities, such as schools and parks. The childminder collects children from the local school. There are currently 14 children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age group and attend before and after school. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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

 enhance opportunities for children to further their independence skills by supporting them to prepare and serve their own snacks.

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who attend

Children enjoy spending time with the childminder. This is because she provides a warm and stimulating environment where children are able to play and learn contentedly. After school, the home is a hive of activity as children relax and enjoy meeting friends. The childminder has a good understanding of how children develop and is skilled in her interactions to promote their learning at every opportunity. For example, the childminder plays board games with children and carefully questions them as they discuss the rules. She encourages children to demonstrate their good number recognition abilities and praises them as they excitedly count the correct corresponding spaces and move their counters around the board. The childminder knows the children well and is observant as they play. Her assessment of their skills means that she is able to encourage activities that both challenge children and allow them to successfully make good progress towards their

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who attend

early learning goals. An example of this is the selection of appropriate jigsaw puzzles and the dice, only numbered from one to three, used in the board game.

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who attend

The childminder is also mindful that children come to her home during their after school hours and this is an ideal time to complement the learning from other settings. Children's personal, social and emotional development is enhanced greatly as they socialise with others much older than themselves. Delightful discussions take place during snack times, when children confidently share their news and enjoy each other's company. The childminder promotes conversation well by encouraging children to recall recent events and allowing each child to contribute. She also ensures they respect others by listening carefully when appropriate. However, opportunities for children to take part in the preparation and serving of food and drink are occasionally missed. As a result, children's independence skills are not always enhanced at this time.

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who attend

The childminder provides a good range of books to suit the ages of children accessing her home and has plenty of examples of meaningful text in the environment. She also supervises children to use small tablet computers to play games that enhance letter recognition and develop the hand-eye coordination needed for writing. In this way, children are enhancing their skills for future learning. The childminder has frequent discussions with parents and together they agree the best way to support children's development. They share information about children's activities and this means that achievements can be celebrated, children's self-esteem boosted and their good progress supported.

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

Children are happy and feel secure in the care of the childminder and this is demonstrated as they play and have fun after a long day at school. Good links with parents are evident and because of this, the childminder is well informed of children's care needs. Children have plenty of room to play both inside the home and outside in the garden. Here they love running freely, playing hide and seek or riding bikes. This promotes children's good physical skills and means that are they are beginning to appreciate the importance of physical exercise and fresh air in their daily routines. Nutritious snacks and drinks further promote children's good health. They wash their hands independently before eating and after using the toilet and this too promotes good routines and hygiene practices.

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

The childminder has a high regard for children's safety and during outside play, makes frequent reminders about being mindful of each other as they climb the steps to the upper lawn. In this way, children are learning about risks as they play and are confident in keeping themselves and others safe. The wide age range of children accessing the childminder's home has a beneficial effect on the younger children. As a result, they become emotionally well prepared for changes in their lives when they will encounter children older than themselves.

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

The childminder provides a wide range of toys and resources to cover all seven areas of learning. These are stored attractively and easily accessible to all children. This has a positive impact on children's behaviour as they are always engaged in purposeful activities and enjoying the freedom of choice after their day at school. The childminder has high expectations of children and during occasional moments of stress, has good strategies in place to support children to behave in a positive manner.

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provision

The childminder has good understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has attended safeguarding training and has good knowledge of how to identify, record and report concerns about children in her care. Policies and procedures support her work, both at home, when taking and collecting children from school and when visiting the local area. Risk assessments and daily checks of her home are part of her routine, including checking the garden before children access. In this way, children are protected well. Children practise fire evacuation procedures and this helps them to understand about the process without becoming fearful. Children are further protected because the childminder has a good knowledge of children's health needs and ensures her first-aid training is up to date.

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provision

The childminder monitors the activities and play opportunities that children take part in and considers these in relation to the seven areas of learning. In this way, she is able to identify any gaps in her provision. The childminder has a good understanding of each child's skills and abilities and ensures she offers activities to support their interests and strengths. The childminder is able to identify her own strengths and areas where she can improve her practice. Currently, this is concentrated around the provision for children's out of school hours and how she can improve experiences during this time. Discussions with parents and children help her with this reflection on her practice and as a result, plans for the future are well targeted to meet the needs of all children in her care. The childminder attends training sessions whenever possible and, where appropriate, makes changes to her practice as a result.

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provision

Parents offer very positive feedback about the childminder and especially appreciate the strong partnerships that have built up. Parents say children are settled and happy with the childminder in their after school hours. Daily discussions provide ideal opportunities to share children's achievements and aspects of their care needs. In this way, children benefit from a coordinated approach to their care and 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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected within twelve months of the date of this inspection. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. 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 EY279715 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 819965 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 5 Number of children on roll 14

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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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