Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 304151 Inspection date 04/11/2008 Inspector Janice Linsdell

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Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Introduction

The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration whichever is the later, which require Ofsted or the provider to take action in Annex C.

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Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

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Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1990. She lives with her husband and three children, two adults and a 15 year old child. The family live in Weaverham, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. There are no pets kept on the premises.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently four children on roll and of these, three are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder cares for one child aged six years and this provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are no children attending with learning disabilities or children who speak English as an additional language.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder shows sufficient understanding of the EYFS framework, which means children are making satisfactory progress in their learning and development. She establishes positive partnerships with parents, although systems for sharing written policies are not in place. The childminder knows the children well, which enables her to meet their individual needs and promote their welfare. However, there are weaknesses in some procedures relating to planning of activities, risk assessments and checking the suitability of household members. She has looked at the 'Moving on' document to assist her in evaluating her practice, but she has not used this to clearly identify future plans for improvement.

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further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

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further?

 improve risk assessments for the premises, garden and for each type of outing undertaken with the children  improve the procedures for planning and evaluating activities so that children's individual learning needs are met, and ensure all areas of learning are covered in sufficient depth  develop effective systems to monitor and evaluate the quality of the setting to further enhance outcomes for children.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 ensure every person aged 16 or over who lives on the premises is suitable to be in contact with children (Suitable people). 18/11/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder has cared for children for many years and she continues to enjoy this role. She offers a homely and welcoming environment, where children can feel happy and settled. Friendly and open relationships are developed with parents and some parents supply very positive comments about the childminder and the standard of care she provides. Most information about childminding practices and procedures are shared with parents verbally, which means written information is limited. As a result, parents are not fully informed of certain procedures, such as safeguarding children and complaints, which is a requirement of the Childcare Register. All documentation to safeguard and promote children's welfare is available for inspection and it is appropriately maintained.

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provision

The childminder shows awareness of how to develop links with other settings, to benefit the children's learning. She has addressed the recommendation made at the last inspection regarding the position of the fire blanket, which has improved fire safety on the premises. Basic risk assessments are available, to demonstrate how children are kept safe on some outings and daily visual checks ensure that the premises are safe for the children attending. However, risk assessments lack detail about the action taken, to reduce hazards in the home and garden. The childminder closely supervises the children, to ensure their safety and understands her role in keeping them safe from harm. Some household members have not completed the necessary checks required to ensure their suitability, but the childminder is taking immediate steps to address this issue and confirms that the children are not at risk.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is developing her knowledge of the EYFS framework, to support children in their learning and development. She explains how she promotes children's learning through play and daily routines, such as helping children to recognise colours and encouraging them to count. She is starting to use some systems to record children's progress in their learning and development, such as planning sheets and individual scrapbooks. Plans show the aims of activities and some evaluation of children's learning, but these are not consistently completed, nor do they show that each area of learning is being covered in sufficient depth.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The lounge is generally organised, so that children have adequate space to play on the floor, using resources of their choice. Children take part in a suitable balance free play and adult-led activities, such as crafts, colouring and baking. They enjoy playing with the box of musical instruments and make various things to take home, such as laminated Halloween placemats. The childminder assists older children to learn their spellings and younger children show an interest in books, as they independently select books to look at. They enjoy sitting on the childminder's knee to share their favourite book and with the childminder's encouragement, they make different animal sounds.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder shows awareness of children's emotional needs and provides This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 additional support when needed. She encourages children's awareness of their environment, as she lifts them up to look at the birds through the window. Children are encouraged to be sociable and they have opportunities to mix with other children of similar age. Their physical development is well promoted and the childminder talks about children's progress in their crawling and walking skills. Children enjoy trips to the park and they play in the garden using various equipment, such as skipping ropes and wheeled toys.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop an understanding of safety, because the childminder highlights general hazards and explains consequences of actions. They learn about road safety on outings and take part in regular fire drills. Children's health is well promoted, because good hygiene practices are followed and they enjoy a variety of fresh fruit for their snack. Signs displayed in the outside toilet to remind children to wash their hands and individual towels are available for children's use. The childminder reinforces good behaviour and encourages children to be kind and considerate of others. There are some resources available to reflect positive images of diversity, such as dolls and books, therefore promoting children's awareness of the wider world. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

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of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 3 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

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Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 ensure parents are provided with copies of written statements regarding safeguarding procedures and complaints procedures. 18/11/2008 This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

This section of the report includes details of any complaint/s made to Ofsted when:  we took action for the provider to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  we asked the provider to take action in order to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register; or  the provider had already taken any necessary action to meet the requirements of the Early Years Register.

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Annex C: complaint/s made to Ofsted

We will not report on any complaint where the provider met the requirements of the Early Years Register or did not require any action by Ofsted or the registered provider.

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Detail of the complaint/s

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since the last inspection.

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Detail of the complaint/s

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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