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 EY312018 Inspection date 22/04/2009 Inspector Sarah Jane Rhodes

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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

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 2005. She lives with her husband and child aged seven years in Winsford, Cheshire, close to shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s home is used for childminding, with a purpose built playroom accessed from the garden.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years to eight years. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of a local childminding network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. The childminder is well organised and is able to adapt the provision to accommodate children's individual needs in an inclusive way. The children benefit from a well planned and safe environment which accommodates a wide range of interesting activities. Observations are used to support children's general ongoing progress. The childminder is committed to developing the standards of her provision through training and self-evaluation. The strong communication with parents using a variety of strategies helps childminder and parents work together to meet the children's needs.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the assessment system to allow for easy monitoring of children's progress towards the Early Learning Goals  involve parents in the self-evaluation process as part of an internal review to inform planning of future improvements.

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provision

Children's overall needs are promoted well by the childminder. The childminder has used the training she has attended and her links with the local childminding network to help her develop systems to very effectively provide for the children's care and learning needs. She shows a strong ongoing commitment to developing her knowledge through attending a range of training courses. Updated knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) has ensured that all required policies and records are in place to help with the safe and smooth management of the setting. She is highly organised and has developed a number of further policies This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and records. These policies are shared with parents as part of a range of strategies that build very strong partnerships with parents. As well as seeing the policies the childminder ensures she supplements daily verbal exchanges with the use of

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provision

written diaries to inform parents about their child's day and current activities. Parents are encouraged to have access to children's development records. Currently the children cared for do not attend provision supplied by other EYFS providers, but the childminder is aware of the value of developing links with other providers to ensure continuity of care and education.

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provision

A well structured system of self-evaluation is in place and has been used to reflect on practice and identify areas for further improvement. So far parents have not been asked to express their views about the service provided by the childminder as part of the self-evaluation process to enhance its effectiveness in improving the outcomes for the children. The self-evaluation form is updated regularly.

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provision

The childminder has a clear knowledge of child protection procedures, appropriate record keeping and her ultimate role, in line with the latest government guidelines, ensuring children are protected from harm or neglect.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children benefit from a childminder who sees her work at a profession and sets high standards for the care and education she provides. She confidently uses the EYFS as a basis to drive her provision of meaningful, child centred activities. She understands the importance of observation and assessment and has implemented a robust system which allows children's progress to be effectively recorded. Each child has a file which has detailed weekly observations of the things they have achieved and planning of the next steps in their learning which lead from these observations. These are brought forward into a three monthly assessment of the six areas of learning. The assessment system does not yet provide an clear way to monitor children's progress towards the Early Learning Goals and readily identify areas in need of greater development. However, the childminder is increasing her knowledge of the EYFS by undertaking a review of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

many of the day to day activities assessing which areas of the learning are covered, allowing her to reflect on how she can use routine times to fully develop children's abilities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children have very warm relationships with the childminder, with a torrent of verbal interactions providing a very positive and highly stimulating environment. Children are thriving and buzzing with questions and conversation. Highly confident they ask for new activities and lead the play, they are kind and caring and very settled and happy. Their communication skills are further nurtured by the regular sharing of books, which means children listen and respond to stories with enjoyment. Children are starting to make marks with a variety of pens, pencils and paints. Young children are making good progress in identifying numbers and learning to count as part of games woven into the daily routines. Photographs are used to give children opportunities to explore past events in their lives at the setting and the children also take their own photographs which allows them to hand and learn to use technical equipment. Regular access to instruments, role

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 play and craft work give children many outlets to be creative. The garden and local play park are used as resources to gain knowledge of the natural world and to provide children with access to larger equipment, giving them opportunity to develop their balancing and climbing skills.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's welfare is promoted well through the provision of a stimulating, purpose designed environment where hazards are minimised. Clear procedures about hygiene both personal hygiene and hygiene of the home allow children to enjoy a clean and healthy environment. The childminder has produced written risk assessments for the house and outings. Children are provided with a range of nutritious snacks and light meals which allows them to develop a taste for healthy eating. They behave very well and have great confidence for their age and stage of development. The childminder manages the children's behaviour in a very positive way praising the children, using distraction and keeping them well occupied. Children are making good progress in developing skills for the future and the move to school when the time comes. 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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