Childminder in Cheshire West and ChesterOfsted inspection, 13 Jul 2009

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 304130 Inspection date 13/07/2009 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 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 1991. She lives in Hoole, Chester with her husband and adult son and daughter. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play activities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom, no more than three may be in the early years age group. The provision is also registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently nine children on roll, of whom, eight are in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children are taken and collected from local schools and pre-schools. They are taken to toddler groups and outings in the local area.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Every child is fully included and valued as an individual. Children are supported through informal planning and their individual learning journey is recorded appropriately. Effective communication systems involve parents in their child's learning and development, although, links with other providers within EYFS are limited. Children's welfare needs are safeguarded through adequate procedures and planning for improvement includes reference to a basic self-evaluation procedure.

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further?

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

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further?

 update knowledge, information and procedures for safeguarding children, such as Local Safeguarding Children Board details  increase opportunities to create an effective two-way flow of information with children's other providers within EYFS to promote continuity and progression for children  further develop planning systems to provide appropriate activities to support next steps for individual children.

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provision

The childminder is experienced and committed towards providing high quality care and education for children. She follows a clear weekly timetable to meet the different needs of children and the work commitments of their families. She has made a number of improvements since her last inspection and has successfully met both her recommendations; to make a small area safe and practise fire drills. The childminder has an appropriate portfolio of her policies and procedures to support her practice and meet EYFS requirements. These are shared with parents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and carers and reviewed on a regular basis. This has a positive effect on the protection of children's safety and the promotion of their well-being. The childminder vigilantly safeguards children's welfare and she has sound knowledge and understanding of child protection issues and procedures. However, the

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provision

childminder's safeguarding policy and procedures do not reflect changes to the Local Safeguarding Children Board. Comprehensive risk assessments are completed on a regular basis on all aspects of the environment that need to be checked to reduce hazards for children. The childminder identifies gaps in her knowledge and undertakes regular training to continually improve the quality of her provision. For example, she recently attended courses on letters and sounds and creating an enabling environment. The childminder regularly reflects on the impact of her practice for individual children. She completes her local authority evaluation schedule to identify her personal strengths and to prioritise key areas for improvement. She shares information and good practice ideas with other childminders and regularly revisits EYFS documentation to review and improve her practice. The childminder has a good awareness of equal opportunities issues and

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provision

positively values and includes children. Children are listened to and respected and the inclusive ethos ensures that children and their families feel involved, safe and valued.

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provision

Effective partnerships are maintained with parents and carers. Parents' opinions are highly valued and they are regularly consulted in questionnaires. They write that they are very pleased with 'the high standard of care and education' provided by the 'friendly and approachable' childminder in her homely, 'safe and happy' environment. Information to support the continuity of care for children is shared during informal chats at handover times and in documentation. Parents are invited to share their child's achievements when they take home their child's profile and review a summary of their child's progress within EYFS. The childminder has established informal systems to share information with some of the children's other providers within EYFS, such as a pre-school. This promotes progression and continuity for these children but this good practice does not extend to every child's EYFS setting.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They communicate confidently with the childminder as they frequently ask questions and eagerly share information about what they are going to do next. Early communication skills are developed through songs, stories and rhymes as babies chuckle and eagerly anticipate the next action in a lively rhyme. Children thoughtfully consider the word that begins with 'b' to use to hit the ball. Children happily make their own choices and decisions as they request an activity or help themselves from a range of accessible resources. They request a painting activity and have fun experimenting as they mix two colours together to make purple. Role play opportunities develop when children put on a rucksack, find binoculars and take their doll on an adventure.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles of the EYFS and she successfully puts them into practice to help children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 to fulfil their potential. She records focussed observations and links children's individual progress to the six areas of learning within EYFS. Children's individual achievements within each early learning goal are celebrated in a summary document on a regular basis. This information is shared with parents and they are invited to include their own comments. This enables the childminder to identify appropriate next steps in learning and development for each child. The childminder creates a child-centred, enabling environment where children's interests and preferences are skilfully and spontaneously developed to ensure that each child receives enjoyable and challenging experiences across the areas of learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy purposeful play and exploration activities, both in and out of doors, with a balance of adult-led and child-led activities that encourages them to become active learners who think critically and creatively. For example, children show an interest in growing their own vegetables. This leads to numerous practical activities as children help to plant and cultivate an array of soft fruit and vegetables in the childminder's garden. Planning is generally based on organised outings. Appropriate activities to support next steps in learning for individual children are informally identified but not clearly planned to extend specific areas of each child's learning.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children develop independence in their self-help skills as they learn to follow clear routines, such as hand washing. They develop a strong sense of belonging in the childminder's home where they feel valued and respected as individuals and respond positively to the childminder's enthusiasm and respectful example. Children learn to share and take turns as they begin to play cooperatively. They learn to be part of a larger group on regular outings to toddler groups with discreet support from the childminder. Children are praised for their thoughtful actions when they select a suitable toy to enable a younger child to join in their game. They learn to recognise dangers and consider how to respond to potential risks and hazards when, for example, they follow road safety procedures on outings. Children benefit from a healthy lifestyle as they explore their natural environment and local community on adventurous outings. They observe changes during the

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

seasons in the childminder's pond and experiment with fallen leaves in the autumn. They watch barges going through locks on the canal and develop their physical skills on large apparatus in the park. Snacks consist of nutritious, healthy options which children clearly enjoy. 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? 3

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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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