Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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304500 Unique Reference Number 08 January 2007 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 1995. She lives with her husband and four children aged 15, eight, four and adult son in Crewe, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed rear garden for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five years on a part time basis and one child over five after school every day and during holidays. The childminder attends the local parent and toddler group. The family have a pet dog.

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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 are developing an understanding of the needs to keep healthy through daily routines, such as washing and wiping of hands before snacks and meals because of germs. The childminder uses effective procedures to ensure children's good health at all times through the provision of a healthy environment. Good nappy changing procedures enhances and safeguards children's health. Children benefit from having a sick child policy securely in place and the procedures being effectively shared with parents. This ensures the children attend an environment which is as healthy and as free from infection as possible.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children enjoy healthy meals, snacks and drinks throughout the day. The childminder is flexible in her approach to the provision of meals, parents can choose to provide their child's meals or select from the good nutritious meals the childminder offers. Children can access their drinks independently from the kitchen table at all times. The undertaking of training and understanding of the 'Birth to three matters' framework by the childminder, supports children's development and learning to good effect.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children's physical development is well provided for through the provision of daily physical activities. They are developing good large physical skills as they use varied apparatus in the garden. Children have many opportunities to explore the outdoor environment as they enjoy taking the dog for walks. Children's small physical skills are promoted through interesting and challenging activities, for example, as they build and design using a variety of construction toys and jigsaws.

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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 completing risk assessments. Children move around freely, independently and safely. 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

Children show a consistently high level of independence as they select toys and activities from a wide range of 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 procedure to follow in the event of evacuation of the premises, however, this is not practised with the children. This compromises children's safety. The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of child protection in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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

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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 house. They achieve well because the childminder is motivated and highly skilled, and uses her positive understanding of how young children progress to provide 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 local parent and toddler groups. 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 build with construction kits and use cars and motorbikes in their play. They have opportunities to use their skills as they engage in art and craft activities. Skilful intervention from the childminder encourages children to develop their own independence as they select a chosen toy or activity.

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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 a good understanding of each child's stage of development. This means that children are confident to try out new skills, ask for help when needed and set their own limits within an inspiring environment.

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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 engage in their chosen activity. She uses her knowledge and understanding of how young children learn and develop to extend and benefit the children's progress. This has a positive effect on the quality of children's learning.

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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 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 generally good. 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.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

A very good partnership with parents exists which contributes significantly to children's

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 well-being. 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 ongoing basis, as they develop new skills and achieve milestones in their development. Feedback on children's development and general well-being is given on a regular basis in an informal verbal way and through individual written books. 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 good 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 and toddler groups, places of interest and contact with other children, widens children's play opportunities and helps them to make excellent progress.

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Organisation

All relevant documentation, policies and procedures are good and used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. The childminder is extremely confident and her care, teaching and enthusiasm enhances and supports children's progress and development.

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Organisation

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

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Organisation

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 was asked to ensure that accident records detail what treatment or action had been taken following an accident and to ensure that the procedure for child protection in relation to an allegation being made against the childminder or others was known. The childminder has introduced a system for the recording of accidents to include action taken and has obtained information regarding the procedure for child protection. These measures enhance the safety and well-being of children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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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Complaints since the last inspection

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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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 that the evacuation procedure is practised on a regular basis.

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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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