Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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304562 Unique Reference Number 25 July 2007 Inspection date Debra Elizabeth Jean Dahlstrom 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 has been registered as a childminder since 1998 and lives with her two adult children, in a residential area of Knutsford.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

Areas of the home used for childminding purposes are: playroom, kitchen/diner, downstairs toilet and rear garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registred to care for a maximum of six children under eight. There are currently six children on roll.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. The childminder gives high priority to promoting good health for young children in her care. She has excellent hygiene procedures in place to help children from an early age learn how to keep themselves fit and well.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder places great importance upon children developing both large and fine motor skills, as children benefit from fresh air and exercise. Young children thrive as they have excellent

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 opportunities for physical play, they exercise outdoors or in case of poor weather use the kitchen and dining area to ride their trikes. The childminder therefore often responds to their spontaneous play. Children benefit from a range of high quality equipment to promote their balance and coordination. Children can crawl or climb, or sit quietly and construct models, cut or roll play dough.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder is committed to offering a varied and nutritious diet to promote children's healthy growth and development. Children are offered an extensive range of homemade foods, which they readily enjoy. All of which are provided according to the dietary requirements of the children. Children are interested in trying new foods, as the childminder talks about the foods as they visit local farms or identify them from posters displayed around the home. Younger children readily talk about their favourites such as corn on the cob, kidney beans or leeks which they help make into soups with potatoes.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder ensures that children and their parents feel welcome. The playroom and other space used by children is comfortable, walls are decorated with their work and posters. Children are confident, they move freely and safely around the rooms. Children's individual needs are met as appropriate, very well maintained resources and equipment are provided. The very good selection of toys, both indoors and outdoors, and their accessibility ensures the children can make choices and self select.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is vigilant about safety. From a very young age children learn some sense of danger, they know not to attempt to climb out of their shoulder straps in the car, for example. There are good systems in place in case of an emergency, with contact details carried at all times. The evacuation plan is displayed on the wall and is clearly understood by the childminder, however, as the plan is not practised with the children this limits their understanding of how to keep themselves safe in an emergency evacuation situation.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The well-being of the children is protected as the childminder has a secure understanding of child protection issues. A comprehensive written policy in place for parents to take away and read ensures they are well informed about the childminder's responsibilities and the procedures in place. The childminder ensures she keeps up to date with current practice through training.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children benefit from extremely warm and supportive relationships with the childminder. She offers encouragement, uses smiles and speaks to the children in gentle tones. The childminder is involved in children's activities, she spends considerable time listening to and talking with them. As a result children are very happy, confident and secure in her care and their language is promoted very well. The childminder often repeats the sounds and words young children make, enabling them to communicate meaning, thus encouraging them in becoming skilful communicators.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder actively contributes to children's care and learning as she plans for children using the 'Birth to three matters' framework. She offers a variety of exciting and stimulating activities, experiences and spontaneous events which ensure children make very good progress in all aspects. Children are active learners, they seek out other equipment or resources to support

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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 and extend their own play. For example, a young child went to choose his own plastic knife from a drawer in the next room to cut play dough to create his model. Children are eager to explore the wider world as they visit local farms, learn about how foods are grown, and learn about the different weather conditions, using windmills in the garden.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Very good observations of the children's development is recorded within their individual diaries, photographs of activities and of their work are also retained. This enables the childminder to plan appropriate activities and provides the parents with an ongoing record of their children's achievements.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children are treated with equal concern as the childminder has a very good understanding of their stages of development as she plans for their future learning needs. They feel secure and their self-esteem is promoted well.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a committed approach to including all children, taking into account their differing needs. Activities are adapted to ensure all children can contribute; they then feel welcomed and valued. There are positive images around the home which reflect diversity, with good quality resources in place which children readily access. Therefore, children develop a better understanding of their world around them.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder is highly skilled in managing children's behaviour. Young children are learning about turn-taking and sharing in a number of innovative ways. The childminder uses the timer on the cooker, for example, to ensure fairness which works very well for the young children in her care. The childminder is very sensitive to children's feelings, and with kindness and humour consistently turns potential conflicts into positive experiences for children. Children respond extremely well to her as she helps them to learn right from wrong because she is an excellent role model and they are very secure and happy in her company.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Partnership with parents is excellent, they are well informed through daily diaries about their children's routines and progress. There is good quality information for parents prior to placement ensuring they are well informed about the child care practice provided for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder provides excellent care for children. She is enthusiastic and highly motivated in providing children with a wide range of learning experiences. The childminder has undertaken numerous training workshops, in order to ensure she keeps abreast of current practice. She is therefore very experienced and highly effective in making sure outcomes for children are of a high standard.

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Organisation

Organisation is of a high standard. The childminder has a clear sense of purpose and direction. She is committed to a child-centred approach, so ensuring in the planning for children, there is a good balance of child and adult-lead activities and experiences.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are well written and reviewed regularly to ensure they remain in line with current practices. Records include detailed information on the children's needs and their development. Children's significant milestones are noted as part of the daily diary, parents

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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 therefore are kept fully informed as a photographic record is also included. Overall, the provision meets the needs of those children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder agreed to ensure that parents countersign the medicine records so suitable checking systems are in place to improve safety for children. The childminder has also increased her range of play materials which promote children's awareness of diversity.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since April 2004 there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. 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 that the emergency evacuation plan is practised with children.

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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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