Childminder in Cambridgeshire

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 04/12/2014 10/02/2009

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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

 The quality of teaching is outstanding. The childminder has an astute understanding of how children learn and develop, and maximises every opportunity to promote their learning. As a result, children make rapid progress.  Children are extremely well protected from harm. This is because the childminder provides a safe and secure environment. Safeguarding arrangements are strong.  The childminder establishes warm, caring and respectful relationships with the children. Consequently children demonstrate that they feel safe and are confident.  Children's behaviour is very well managed. The childminder gives clear and consistent expectations. As a result, children show high levels of self-control and tolerance for each other.  Partnerships with parents are strong and promote a joined up approach in supporting children's learning and development needs. This significantly contributes to the rapid progress that children make.

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This provision is outstanding

 Self-evaluation is accurate. The childminder seeks contributions from parents and the children to continually improve her practice to ensure children achieve their best potential.

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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 home and viewed the outside learning environment.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke to the childminder and the children at appropriate times during the inspection.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability and the childminder's qualifications and evidence of self-evaluation.  The inspector took account of the written views of parents, carers and children.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in October 2008. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives in Witchford near Ely with her husband and their three children. The ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes, and there is an enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder operates four days each week from Monday to Thursday, 7.45am to 5.30pm, except for bank holidays and family holidays. There are nine children on roll, of whom two are in the early years range. The childminder holds an early years qualification at level 3 and 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:

 continue to pursue professional development opportunities to enhance the already excellent teaching even further.

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who attend

The quality of teaching is outstanding. The childminder maximises every opportunity to extend learning and development with the children. Children are highly motivated to learn. This is because the childminder is enthusiastic and passionate. She understands how children learn and develop, and provides stimulating and interesting activities which challenge the children. As a result, children make rapid progress. The childminder invites children to make a Christmas picture using a large assortment of craft materials. She skilfully weaves opportunities to extend children's mathematical development by highlighting different sizes of triangle which they compare as 'small', 'large' and 'medium- sized'. Children count circles which they apply to their picture to represent baubles on a Christmas tree. The childminder maximises every opportunity to extend children's vocabulary by asking them to count the sparkly circles, and the fluffy pompoms. Children

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who attend

compare a cluster of red circles to berries they see growing outside which the birds eat, and demonstrate their growing understanding of the change in season and the world. When children ask to take photographs of their picture, the childminder supports them to use information and communication technology safely to record their work. The children show high levels of engagement, and the childminder encourages them to follow their interests and supports their creativity in the design.

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who attend

The childminder has a clear system to evidence, monitor and track children's learning through effective observations and assessments. She uses this information to plan for each child's specific learning needs. She knows the children extremely well, and consequently, the activities she provides engage the children well. As a result, children demonstrate the characteristics of effective learners and make rapid progress given their starting points. Children develop a love of books, and freely choose books from a large selection of fiction and non-fiction. The childminder engages children as she reads a book with them, supporting them to take turns to open the flaps in the book. The children self- regulate and show high levels of fairness to ensure each child has their turn. Children are ready for school when the time comes because they have a wide range of skills to support their future education and a positive attitude towards learning.

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who attend

Parents comment that they are kept well informed of the progress their children make. The childminder is very approachable, and ensures parents are kept up-to-date through daily verbal exchanges and termly reports. The recent addition of a safe online facility to record children's progress is also proving effective with parents who enjoy accessing the information at home. Parents are kept advised of their children's next steps in learning, and the childminder encourages parents to share their observations of their children. This is because the childminder highly values parent's contributions to provide her with the most accurate picture of children's all-round development. This joined up approach significantly contributes to the rapid progress the children make.

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

The childminder establishes flexible settling-in procedures which are tailored to the individual needs of the children and their families. She uses this time to gain as much information as possible about the child's likes, dislikes and their routine, through a comprehensive 'All about me' document. This ensures continuity in meeting their specific needs, and informs baseline assessments to plan for their next steps in learning. The childminder understands the need for children to feel safe, secure and confident before they show an eagerness and readiness to learn. As a result, children's emotional well- being is effectively supported.

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

Children independently follow good hygiene routines and are gently reminded to wash their hands at appropriate times, such as after messy play activities. Intimate care routines are sensitively met. Parents provide packed lunches for their children to eat. The childminder promotes healthy food choices through parent newsletters, and discusses healthy foods with the children. This supports children to develop a healthy lifestyle. The childminder understands the benefits to children of fresh air and outdoor activity. She provides a well-equipped outdoor area where children are encouraged to explore and investigate the natural environment, for instance, in the outdoor kitchen. She provides further opportunities to enjoy outdoor activities at the local park, trips to the farm, and to the cathedral. The childminder supports children to learn to manage their own risk and safety, for example, by teaching road safety when walking to and from school, and

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

recognising safe areas where children can run freely.

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

The environment is warm, friendly and very well resourced. Resources are stored at child accessible height which means children are free to choose activities. This supports their growing independence in play and provides opportunities for continuity to follow their interests. Behaviour is managed extremely well. The childminder gives clear and consistent messages regarding her high expectations. As a result, children are well- mannered, confident and demonstrate tolerance of and respect for each other. The childminder is an effective role model. She frequently praises children's efforts and achievements, which further promotes children's high levels of self-esteem. Children are well prepared for the move to school when the time comes. They are familiar with the school environment and school routine as they accompany the childminder to take and collect older children from school, and attend functions at school, such as sports day.

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provision

Safeguarding arrangements are strong. The childminder fully understands her role in protecting children from harm. She has a clear understanding of what to do should she have a concern about children's welfare. Risk assessments are detailed and thorough, and as a result, children are cared for in a safe environment. The childminder has a current paediatric first aid certificate which means she is able to provide suitable treatment in the event of a medical emergency. Fire evacuation procedures are regularly practised and take account of children's different attendance patterns. This ensures children understand what to do in an emergency, and begin to learn about keeping themselves and others safe. Sampled documentation and records are well maintained, giving a firm indication that all required documentation is in place and firmly underpins children's safety and welfare.

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provision

The childminder has an excellent understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has implemented effective systems to monitor the progress children make. This means she is able to identify any gaps in children's progress, and target activities appropriately to support children's development. Consequently, any gaps in progress are swiftly closed. She has recently introduced a computer application which assists with monitoring children's progress. It enables parents to immediately access this information and add their own observations of children's progress via a secure online facility. The childminder critically reflects on the activities she provides the children with, to ensure they provide sufficient challenge. As a result, children make rapid progress, especially in communication and language development. This is because the childminder has successfully implemented a range of teaching strategies

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provision

which are highly focused on supporting this area of development.

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provision

Self-evaluation is exceptionally accurate, and the childminder seeks feedback from parents and the children through daily verbal exchanges and more formal annual questionnaires. The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to continually improve her practice. She is passionate in ensuring children have the best opportunities to fulfil their potential. Partnerships with parents and other professionals are strong and contribute significantly to the rapid progress children make. This ensures continuity and a consistent approach from all those involved in the child's life. Feedback from parents and children is overwhelmingly positive. Parents typically comment how happy they are and that their children settle quickly and make good progress. Children write how much they enjoy their time with the childminder and that they have fun.

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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. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of 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

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 EY381272 Local authority Cambridgeshire Inspection number 858668 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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