Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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304850 Unique Reference Number 27 July 2006 Inspection date Sylvia Cornock Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2000. She lives with her husband and two children, one aged 15 and one of adult age, in Coppenhall, Crewe. The whole house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding four children, two of whom are under five years, on a part time basis and two school aged children, before and after school and school holidays, on a part time basis. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group weekly.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children thrive because the childminder follows consistent highly effective procedures and practices which meet the children's physical, nutritional and health needs. She has introduced Birth to three matters into her everyday planning of activities. The exceptional adult support and guidance helps children gain a good understanding of hygiene and become increasingly independent in their personal care. They learn to develop a healthy lifestyle through daily physical activities using stimulating outdoor experiences and activities, such as walks in the local environment and climbing and balancing on appropriate apparatus in the garden, extending their physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children develop a very good awareness of the benefits of a healthy diet, through rich, varied and imaginative activities and topics, such as healthy eating. They choose their own fruit for snacks as they visit the shops with the childminder. The broad and varied range of well balanced snacks meets their individual needs well and is of good nutritional value. All children's dietary needs are well documented including children with allergies. All children have good access to drinking water and fluids throughout the day.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's medical health needs are managed very consistently. There are exceptionally well written procedures in place for the administration of medication and protecting children from the spread of infection. The comprehensive records of accidents and medication administered are clearly well maintained. Expert practice and consistently high standards of hygiene throughout the home significantly enhances children's health and actively prevents the spread of infection. The childminder has a current first aid certificate. This helps to meet children's needs in the event of an accident or emergency.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy a very good range of outdoor activities that support and help to develop their physical skills. They benefit from excellent access to a very well-maintained outdoor area and activities that promote their large physical development and coordination. They are given wide and varied opportunities to choose from equipment to stimulate development, such as imaginative toys, balls, ride on toys and construction kits. Planned daily visits to local activity centres, walks in the local countryside and outdoor activities ensure that children have daily exercise.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a highly motivated environment where safety is high priority. Excellent safety procedures are in place to protect children from hazards and dangers through daily checks of the home. Children move around freely, independently and safely. They are encouraged to tidy some toys away from the floor before getting others out to ensure that there is sufficient safe play space. The childminder discusses with all children how to keep themselves safe, including their understanding of safety outside the home, as they take their daily outings.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Children show a consistently high level of independence as they select toys and activities from a wide range of exceptional high quality toys and equipment, which meet safety standards. The childminder is robust in her observations, and carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys to make sure that they are safe and appropriate for their age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The welfare and safety of children is significantly enhanced and promoted as the childminder ensures that the required procedures and documents are in place. The childminder has a written policy on the procedures to follow in the event of evacuation of the premises. This has not been practised with the children. The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. However, the telephone numbers for the local social services and police are not easily accessible. This compromises children's safety and wellbeing.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy their time at the childminder's. They achieve well because the childminder is motivated and highly skilled and uses her positive understanding of early years guidance, such as Birth to three matters, to provided high quality care and education.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are well settled, relaxed and happy at the childminder's house. Children play exceptionally well together and with other children that they meet through visits to the local parent-toddler groups and nursery sessions. Children show a wealth of independence as they choose between a rich variety of activities which appeal to them and are suitable for their ages and stages of development. They relate well to each other, adults and the childminder.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

They show excitement and enthusiasm as they share and use their imagination well as they design and build with the construction sets. They have opportunities to use their writing skills, read books and play games, helping them to make very rapid progress in their development and learning . Skilful intervention from the childminder encourages children to develop a very good understanding of mathematics, for example, the childminder encourages children to count the paint-pots asking 'How many more do we need?'

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are welcomed into the family home where they experience a sense of belonging. The childminder has an excellent understanding of each child's stage of development. This means that the youngest children are confident to try out new skills, ask for help when needed and set their own limits within an inspiring and superb environment. For example, a younger child was thrilled as he successfully painted a picture and recited what it represented.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enjoy talking about their families and home-life, creating plenty of language. The childminder extends their interests, responds to their questions and challenges their ability as they sort the toys and equipment into the various storage boxes, promoting their thinking and physical skills. This has a positive effect on the quality of children's learning.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are welcomed into the home and play a full part within the family structure. The childminder values and respects their individuality and the family context for each child. Children gain a very good awareness of their local environment and the diversity of the wider world through planned activities and outings to local places of interest. Children are able to access a very good selection of resources that promote positive images. All children are included in the activities provided and individual needs are very well met.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children play well together, they share and take turns, they show respect and concern for each other and their behaviour is exemplary. The childminder has high expectations and sets consistent boundaries, taking into account children's stage of development. She meets individual needs well with regard to behaviour management. Children respond well and, as a result, show a growing awareness of right and wrong. They are settled and make themselves at home. Children show confidence as they choose activities, such as playing musical instruments and singing songs.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

An exceptional partnership with parents exists which contributes significantly to children's wellbeing. Children are being cared for in accordance with their parents wishes. Individual needs and requirements are discussed carefully and in detail with parents and carers prior to placement and on an on-going basis, as they develop new skills and achieve milestones in their development. Feedback on children's development and general wellbeing is given on a regular basis in an informal verbal way. Parents and carers have access to information on what the childminder has to offer and information about Ofsted and records. This contributes to continuity in the children's good health, safety, development and learning.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children's care is greatly enhanced by the superb quality of the childminder's organisation and well-planned day. This helps children to feel at home and at ease; they feel secure and confident in their surroundings, initiating and extending their own play and learning. Well-organised visits to parent-toddler groups, places of interest and contact with other childminders, widens children's play opportunities and helps them to make excellent progress.

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Organisation

All relevant documentation is used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. The childminder is extremely confident and her care and teaching is highly motivated as she accesses training courses to extend her knowledge and understanding in the care and education of young children. This enthusiasm enhances her existing excellent good practice and supports children's progress and development.

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Organisation

Children benefit from highly innovative and well organised indoor and outdoor space to maximise play opportunities. Daily risk assessments and planning of activities and routines help to keep children safe and enables them to make exceptionally good progress in all areas of their development.

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Overall, the provision meets the needs of the range of the children for whom it provides.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure the daily register accurately recorded the time of arrival and departure of children. She has devised a system which ensures all children's attendance is recorded accurately, this promotes children's safety and wellbeing.

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Complaints since the last inspection

The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • ensure the telephone numbers for the local social services and police are easily accessible, with regard to child protection.

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The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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