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 EY245690 Inspection date 17/12/2008 Inspector Suzette Butcher

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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 2002 and lives with his wife and adult son in Hartford, Cheshire. The childminder works in partnership with his wife, who is also a registered childminder. There are also contingency plans in place to call on a number of registered assistants in the event of an emergency or sickness. All areas of the property are used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for no more than six children under eight years at any one time. When working with his wife, the two childminders are registered to care for 16 children under eight. There are currently 33 children on roll, of whom, 10 are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Respite and emergency care are also provided. Children attend on a full and part-time basis. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools. Children are taken to local toddler groups and on outings in the area.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association (NCMA) and Vale Royal Childminding Network. The childminder and his wife achieved a level 3 NCMA Quality First award in 2008.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The very professional, highly organised and forward thinking childminder provides a secure, supportive environment where the needs of individual children are the central focus. Any potential barriers are eliminated to provide a fully inclusive environment. Children make excellent progress towards the early learning goals in a setting where the promotion of fun, humour and laughter are key strengths. Children's welfare is fully safeguarded with high standards met throughout.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 explore further ways to facilitate the flow of information with children's other providers within EYFS.

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provision

The childminder has a clear vision and is highly dedicated towards meeting every child's individual needs in an extremely well organised setting. The very effective partnership between the childminder and his childminder wife forms a firm foundation for children's enjoyment, learning and development and provides an exemplary management team. It creates a very friendly family environment where children are at the heart of everything that happens. This extends to the outdoor This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and local environment where the childminder provides a wealth of challenging and exciting opportunities. Self-evaluation systems are well targeted to bring about further improvement and promote positive outcomes for children. The childminders jointly achieved a level 3 Quality First NCMA accredited award in 2008. Numerous improvements since the last inspection reflect the strong ethos of continuous

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provision

improvement. For example, the outdoor play environment has been adapted to extend and develop challenging opportunities. Adventurous climbing equipment has been introduced for older children with adjacent, safe accessible areas for very young children, and covered areas for use in inclement weather.

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provision

The promotion of inclusive practice is given a very high priority by the childminder. Children with additional needs are warmly welcomed and skilfully supported during emergency placements or respite care. The individual needs of children and adults with learning disabilities or difficulties and children who speak English as an additional language are considered in documentation and throughout the setting's organisation. Any barriers are actively addressed and overcome to promote a fully inclusive environment where children enjoy freedom of movement within the indoor and outdoor environment. For example, ramps are provided when required and children independently access the outdoor space and ground floor toilet. Records, policies and procedures are extremely well organised and regularly reviewed to fully safeguard children and their families. Robust risk assessments are recorded and reviewed for outings and the childminding environment

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provision

Parents, carers and professionals value the very high standards achieved and the unique aspects of the setting. They especially value the opportunity for children to have a male role model and believe that the positive combination of carers enriches children's experiences. Parents state that they feel very privileged that their children are able to attend this setting and find that the overall quality exceeds their expectations. Parents' opinions are highly valued and they are regularly consulted in, for example, questionnaires. They are enthusiastically invited to share information and appreciate the opportunity to be actively involved in their child's learning journey. For example, parents share information about next steps in learning and discuss issues in informal chats. The effective flow of information sharing extends informally to the other EYFS providers who are involved in the children's care and education although systems are in the early

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children eagerly join their friends in the childminder's welcoming home and happily anticipate a wide choice of imaginative and challenging opportunities each day. The underpinning aspects of EYFS are successfully implemented to help children to fulfil their potential whilst they have fun. The childminder knows each child very well and, through daily observations and reflections on children's spontaneous play, clearly identifies their next steps in learning and development. Assessment information and the childminder's own knowledge and understanding of how children learn and develop are used effectively to plan the next challenges to stretch each child's learning, play and exploration. Expectations are high and children are keen to learn as they are encouraged to try out new skills. As a result This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are enabled to build on what they already know and make excellent

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

progress towards the early learning goals. This information is tracked in each child's profile which is available to share with parents and carers.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children confidently select their own activities and develop their own imaginative games within the extremely well organised environment. They eagerly share their interest with the childminder as they pretend to do the washing or remind everyone to 'shush' when they settle the baby doll in the cot. Young children are confident communicators who happily use signs, gestures and facial expressions to enhance their early speech and language skills. The childminder listens, watches and responds sensitively to children as they giggle and share a joke and enjoy warm, supportive relationships Everyone smiles and laughs a lot in the happy, fun loving environment. Consistent positive interactions enable children to feel secure and to thrive as they learn and develop independence and self-motivation. Every opportunity is offered for children to explore new skills, practise and rehearse learning and make connections with other experiences. Toddlers begin to learn

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

that their actions cause effects and experiment through trial and error as they send cars down ramps or make sound patterns with musical instruments. Older children write that they enjoy playing fun games, such as 'Blind Man's Bluff' or making things. Exciting outdoor games, such as flying kites or shooting sponges from rockets, inspire children to join in challenging pursuits.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn to accept responsibility for their own personal hygiene because independence and clear procedures are strongly promoted for all their self-help skills. Older children help to plan and write healthy menus in an imaginative café and further develop their awareness of a healthy lifestyle. House rules are written and agreed to promote a safe, fair environment where everyone is treated with respect. Older children often help younger ones in games and crafts and minor disagreements are skilfully dealt with in a way that is appropriate to each child's age and stage of development. Children are encouraged to consider the consequences of their actions and to recognise and respond to potential risks and dangers. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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: Met

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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 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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