Childminder in Cheshire East

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 EY304643 Inspection date 28/04/2009 Inspector Janice Shaw

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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 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

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

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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 first registered in 2005. She lives with her partner and two children aged 12 and two in the Tytherington area of Macclesfield.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of five children at anyone time under the Early Years Register and the compulsory part of the Childcare Register. The childminder is also registered on the voluntary part of the Childcare Register to enable her to care for older children. There are currently two children on roll, both of whom are on the Early Years Register.

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Description of the childminding

Minded children have access to the whole of the house. An enclosed rear garden is available for outdoor play. The family have a toad and Gecko which are both kept in tanks. Arrangements can be made to collect children from local schools.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the Macclesfield Childminders network and the National Childminding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder is highly effective at making sure children’s progress across the areas of learning is consistently good and exemplary in significant areas. The inclusive environment encourages all children to make very good progress in their learning. Effective partnerships are forged with parents to promote consistency and continuity for children. The childminder has an excellent awareness of her own practices and has clearly identified her key strengths and areas for development.

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further?

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

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further?

 Provide a range of: natural materials for children to arrange, compare and order, objects of various textures and weight in treasure baskets to excite and encourage children’s interests. Encourage children to speculate on the ways things happen or how things work.

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provision

There is a robust system of evaluation in place and the childminder uses self reflection as a very good tool to scrutinise her practice. A self-evaluation form has been completed on line and gives a meticulous account of all areas of her service. Areas for development are clearly identified and illustrate the childminders understanding of what good practice is. The childminder is also using the local authority, ‘moving on’, quality assurance document as an additional support to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 improve her practice. Since the last inspection the childminder has joined the Macclesfield childminders network. The experience of sharing ideas and good practice with other childminders together with the support of the network coordinator has clearly contributed to the enhancement of her service.

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provision

Comprehensive risk assessments are in place to ensure children can play and learn in safe indoor and outdoor environments. A broad range of policies and procedures which meet the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) requirements help to ensure that children are always safe and well cared for. The childminder is very aware of her role within Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures and has supportive literature readily to hand, thus ensuring any concerns can be handled in a swift and calm manner.

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provision

Strong links have been forged with parents. The childminder works in partnership with parents and others to meet every child’s needs. Parents are given useful information about their child’s day, activities and experiences through daily diaries, scrap books, and photographs. Encouragement is given to parents to contribute to these with some parents taking up this opportunity. The childminder understands the importance of creating links with other providers of the EYFS, however, she does not mind any children who attend other settings.

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provision

The childminder has made good progress with the recommendations made at the last inspections. An emergency evacuation procedure is now regularly practised with children. Parent’s signatures are appropriately in place. Children can access an increased range of resources which helps support their understanding of diversity in the community.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well supported in their learning through the childminder's outstanding knowledge and understanding of the learning and development aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Their progress is observed and assessed accurately and their next steps of their learning are consistently identified and linked securely to future planning. The high quality of the planning ensures that each child receives enjoyable and challenging experiences across all areas of learning. This results in children making consistently good progress and at times, excellent levels of achievement in relation to their starting points and capabilities. All documentation, including a range of detailed and well written policies and procedures effectively promote children's health, safety and welfare and ensure children's individual needs are met.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The child minder is perceptive to children’s interests during self-initiated play and uses questions very successfully to challenge children’s thinking and language skills. For example, when a child is engrossed for long periods of time with a wooden train track, she offers gentle encouragement by discussing the colours and names of the trains, the shapes of the track and 'Where are the trains planning to visit today'? Their understanding of letters, shapes, and numbers are promoted through everyday situations, such as, the ‘Five little duck song’, which encourages the children to count on their fingers, refer to the number wall chart and to This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 become familiar the letter ‘d’ with picture cards.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A recent Easter egg hunt gave children many fun opportunities to extend their learning. They listened to the clues, worked in harmony with each other to find the eggs, discussed excitedly areas to search and then counted how many eggs they had found. Photographic evidence of this activity is available on DVD’s and the computer and supports children to recall significant events in their lives. When a child sees the winter pictures, he remembers what the snow was like and laughs heartedly at the snow games they played. Photographs of birthday parties at the childminder’s, enables a young child to successfully name all the children around the table, and in particular highlighting the chocolate cake and the children’s messy faces. Clearly a very happy memory for him! ICT experiences are an integral part of everyday life as children use torches, magnets, digital cameras and a child’s camera. However, children do not have access treasure baskets or many natural

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

materials to arrange, compare and order. Opportunities for them to speculate on the reasons why things work or how things happen are not maximised.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder spends much of her time engaging and playing with children. There is a wide range of age appropriate, good quality toys and resources available within easy reach of the children. Caring relationships are developed and their likes and dislikes are known. She is sensitive to their needs, such as offering a hug and cuddle when appropriate. Children begin to understand the wider world as they play with toys and look at books which reflect positive images of race and disabilities. They discuss why some people use wheelchairs and one child recognises that ‘granddad has one’.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children learn how to keep themselves safe and thrive on consistent messages about healthy living. For example, they discuss road safety which includes the importance of holding hands or holding onto the buggy and walking carefully. They have learnt that when they are in a safe area such as a park the childminder will let them run freely. They adopt a positive attitude towards nutritious food by the provision of a healthy and balanced diet. A wall chart with the ‘five a day goals’ listed helps children identify how much fruit and vegetables they have eaten each day. Procedures taken to help prevent the spread of infection include, reminding children when and how they should wash their hands, for example after playing outside, stroking the cat, after the toilet and before eating. Clear explanations are given as to why this is important. Children reap the benefits of fresh air and exercise as they play daily in the garden, visit the local park, go swimming or

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

attend a soft play centre. All these different experiences enable children to develop competencies in their physical abilities. This environment promotes confidant happy independent children, who can communicate at all levels effectively. These qualities contribute to children developing skills towards their future economic wellbeing. 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? 2 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? 2

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 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

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