Childminder in CambridgeshireOfsted inspection, 2 Jul 2014

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 02/07/2014 25/09/2008

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early years provision

This inspection: 1 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 1 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 1

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This provision is outstanding

 Children are highly valued and their individuality clearly respected and celebrated. Close, loving relationships are formed with all children, who are warmly welcomed into the childminder's home.  The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge of how children learn through play and provides a rich, varied and imaginative educational programme. Children's development is extremely well monitored and their next steps in learning accurately identified and planned for.  Excellent relationships have formed with all parents, which is very effective at meeting children's needs. Regular and precise information is shared regarding children's progress through a computer-based assessment system, which means parents are always aware of their learning and development.  The childminder demonstrates an exemplary understanding and knowledge of how to safeguard children in her care. She follows precise policies and procedures and has

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This provision is outstanding

developed highly effective links with other providers who share the care of the children. This nurtures a shared approach to children's learning and ensures they receive consistent high levels of support.  The childminder is very proactive and shows an extremely strong commitment to continuing her professional development through well-targeted areas for improvement and ongoing training. She consistently evaluates her practice to ensure children benefit from a continually improving provision.

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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 taking place in the lounge, kitchen and garden.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at a selection of policies, the childminder's self-evaluation form, the register of attendance and a range of other documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability for the childminder and other adults living at the premises.

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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, mother and three children aged four, nine and 11 years in a house in Eastrea, Cambridgeshire. The whole of the ground floor and the rear garden are used for childminding. The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. She takes and collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently 15 children on roll, five of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder operates all year round from 7am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She is a member of Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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

 continue to enhance the already excellent partnerships with parents, by further incorporating shared information about children's learning at home into planning systems, so that children enjoy a superb level of continuity between home and the setting.

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who attend

Children receive an excellent level of care and teaching while attending the very stimulating and highly welcoming setting. The childminder demonstrates an outstanding knowledge and understanding of how children learn through play and ensures she provides a vast range of stimulating age-appropriate experiences to enhance their learning. Children are highly respected as individuals and the childminder demonstrates a thorough knowledge and understanding of their individual learning needs. Children are confident to explore and investigate their environment and choose activities they enjoy. For example, in the garden children fill the water tray themselves using a hose and select the resources they wish to use from easily accessible storage. They decide on paintbrushes and buckets and proceed to paint the walls, patio, windows and garden furniture. Children use their imagination well during this activity, stating they are painting

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who attend

tigers on the floor. Other areas of learning are explored too, as the childminder encourages children to problem solve in their play. For example, after a while they work out that it is easier to move their bucket closer to where they are painting, rather than walking back to it each time. She encourages children to use their thinking skills and work out what may have happened when the paintings of the tigers on the patio disappear. The childminder talks meaningfully to children at all times and models clear language to successfully support their communication skills. Books are readily available in a cosy area and children enjoy listening to familiar stories in quiet time before they go to sleep. Children also love spending time at the library, where they help to choose new books for the setting. Children self-register as they arrive at the childminder's home, which supports name recognition from an early age, while also making children feel welcome. The

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who attend

childminder makes excellent use of the local community and further afield to enhance and extend children's learning experiences. For example, children visit local farms, parks and nature reserves to look for wildlife and dig for fossils. Children take part in annual events with the childminder and their families, such as a march through the town to celebrate a local festival. Children's understanding of diversity and an appreciation of other cultures is supported well through a diverse range of resources and celebrations of traditional and religious festivals.

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who attend

Assessment of children's learning is extremely precise and accurate. Learning is very closely monitored and reviewed on a regular basis to ensure learning opportunities are never missed. This ensures children are extremely well prepared for their next stage in their learning and education, such as starting school. Next steps are shared with parents electronically and they comment positively about photographs they see of their children involved in activities. The childminder talks to parents extensively at collection times about their children's day and she is now considering how she can better include the information she gathers about children's learning from home into her planning of activities and assessment. Resources, such as compact discs of familiar songs are shared with parents so they can familiarise themselves with the songs their children know. Monthly newsletters ensure parents are kept up to date with future events and learning topics.

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

Secure and trusting relationships have formed with all children and their families. The childminder shows true affection for the children in her care and as a result, warm and loving bonds have developed. Children feel extremely comfortable in the childminder's home and approach her with ease. For example, when they ask to go to the bathroom. They seek her out willingly for assistance in activities and welcome her positive interactions. Children show excellent familiarity with the structure and routines of the day, such as snack time which establishes expectations and ensures that children's readiness for school is fully implemented. Available play space is organised with great effect to support children's maximum developmental potential whilst maintaining a real homely feel. A very well-resourced environment, which includes a stimulating garden area, promotes children's independent play very well. The childminder is able to plan effectively for each

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

child's individual needs from the beginning based on written information and thorough discussions with parents to find out about their strengths and interests. A computerised daily diary and thorough verbal discussions at collection time ensures children's continuing needs are constantly met to a high standard. The childminder has built secure and positive relationships with other settings that children attend. She exchanges regular and precise information about children to support their ongoing learning and development. The childminder is a very effective role model in the calm and consistent way she approaches behaviour management. Any minor age-related behaviour issues are dealt with very swiftly so that it is unable to escalate. She gently reminds children about sharing during activities so that young children learn to play together cooperatively. Children are actively and consistently praised by the childminder for their efforts and achievements and

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

as a result, their confidence and self-esteem is carefully fostered. Children are encouraged to think about their own safety during activities and are well supported to take appropriate risks in their play. For example, children have taken part in glass engraving and hammering with wood and nails. They learn through discussions with the childminder, that putting water on the floor tiles may cause them to slip and fall.

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

The childminder effectively guides and supports children's understanding of maintaining their own personal care. All children demonstrate a very good understanding of self-care routines, such as hand washing and use paper towels to prevent the spread of infection. Children tell the childminder they need to wear sun cream because it is a sunny day and are encouraged to apply it themselves with support. Children use the garden every day and spend quality time in the fresh air on plenty of walks and outings. Their physical development is well fostered through a range of challenging resources, such as coloured bricks in the garden, where young children learn to perfect their balancing skills. Children take part in their own sports day and participate in egg and spoon and sack races. Children eat a range of healthy and nutritious snacks and meals prepared by the childminder and can access drinks at all times to ensure they remain hydrated.

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provision

The childminder works rigorously to consistently provide high quality childcare that gives all children the best possible start in life. Robust strategies are in place to safeguard children, which are strengthened by very secure partnerships with families and other providers. The childminder is fully aware of the procedures to follow in the event of a concern and has completed training, which is regularly updated to refresh her knowledge. Suitability checks are carried out on all adults within the home, a record of visitors is kept and children are never left alone with people who are not vetted. Precise and detailed policies and procedures are shared with parents to support children's well-being and safety when attending the setting. Highly comprehensive risk assessments ensure children play in a very safe environment. The premises are kept secure, the children are well supervised in their play and areas children use are consistently monitored.

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provision

The childminder is extremely passionate about caring for children and has worked very hard during her childminding career to constantly evolve and improve her services. She has gained a suitable childcare qualification since her last inspection and is now able to offer funded education for children in her care. The learning and development requirements are met to a very high standard and there are very clear systems in place for assessing and monitoring children's learning, through the use of an online computer based package. The childminder demonstrates an extremely strong commitment to improving and updating her knowledge and has a fantastic training record in place. Consistent ongoing self-reflection of her practice means that areas for improvement are always identified and addressed quickly to improve experiences for children.

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provision

The childminder works very closely with parents to ensure continuity of care and consistent learning experiences. Excellent working and personal relationships have been formed, which benefits children's time in the setting. Parents share their views about the childminder's services through regular questionnaires and write personal letters of praise. Parents comment that her care is faultless and she is extremely approachable, flexible and caring. Children write that the childminder is 'funny and cooks brilliant food'. Feedback is also sought from other providers involved in the children's care, such as the local pre- school who feel the childminder is friendly and always displays a happy, positive outlook with children in her care. Overall, the childminder manages her setting extremely well to create a very warm and welcoming environment in which children feel happy, safe and secure.

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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 EY369056 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 873713 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 15

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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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