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 EY382074 Inspection date 23/02/2009 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 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 2008. She lives with her husband and two children aged ten and five in Vicars Cross, Chester. The whole of the of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight at any one time. There are currently two children on roll within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder also cares for six children aged over five years. She takes and collects children from a local school and nursery. The provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare register. The childminder is a qualified primary teacher and a member of 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 reflects critically on her practice and effectively identifies areas for improvement through her self- evaluation process. Children’s welfare is successfully promoted and the unique needs of every child is recognised in the inclusive, enabling environment. Children's good progress in learning and development is enhanced through effective partnerships with parents and other providers within EYFS.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase knowledge about the promotion of inclusive practice to further enhance current good practice.

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provision

The childminder is well qualified and strongly committed towards providing high quality care and education for every child. She regularly assesses what her setting offers against robust and challenging quality criteria and identifies key areas for improvement. Her current priority is to attend further training on inclusion, diversity and accessibility to increase her expertise and offer more support for children. The childminder actively seeks the most effective training, support and information. For example, she is registered and inspected by the council's Food Safety Team and shares best practice within childminder forums and networks. The childminder is very well organised and a clear weekly timetable is followed to smoothly accommodate the delivery and collection of children from a local school. Children's welfare needs are consistently and rigorously safeguarded. Robust risk assessments are recorded and reviewed on a regular basis. Records are vigilantly

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provision

maintained to ensure that the needs of all children are met and a comprehensive pack of policies and procedures is readily available for parents and carers. Overall, an inclusive and welcoming service is provided where children are respected as This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 individuals.

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provision

Children and parents' opinions are highly valued and they all respond very positively when consulted in questionnaires. Informal and formal communication systems establishes a very effective two-way flow of information and actively involve parents and carers in their child's continuous learning and development. This creates an effective partnership with parents based on honest, open, trusting, friendly and professional relations. Children's profiles are shared and reviewed on a regular basis to record aspects of children's individual learning journey, both with the childminder and at home. Strong partnerships are confidently established with parents and other providers within the EYFS to support children's individual needs and provide continuity of learning and care.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are well-mannered and considerate towards adults and each other. They happily share, take turns and play together cooperatively as they follow the childminder’s calm, consistent and respectful example. They have fun making posters to remind everyone to 'put things away' or 'be kind' and learn to consider other people's feelings. Positive attitudes towards diversity and difference within all children are strongly promoted as children enjoy learning about different cultures in practical activities, such as tasting croissants or creating rangoli patterns. This helps children to value different aspects of their own and other people's lives. Opportunities for children to learn about what is dangerous and how to keep themselves safe are regularly explored. For example, stranger danger and road safety issues are revisited on outings, through discussion and in stories. Children's good health is promoted through robust procedures to prevent the spread of

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

infection. The benefits of fresh air, exercise and drinking water regularly are strongly promoted as part of a healthy lifestyle. Children are involved in planning menus and encouraged to consider healthy, nutritious options.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder's very secure knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles of the EYFS creates a firm foundation for children's learning and helps them to make the best of their abilities and talents. The indoor and outdoor environment is organised to promote children's active learning by providing inviting, accessible resources. Well organised observation and assessment procedures accurately monitor and record children's individual progress. Children's interests, preferences, key strengths and next steps in learning that require more support are clearly identified and used effectively to inform future planning. This ensures that each child receives an enjoyable and challenging experience across the six areas of learning. Spontaneous learning is imaginatively captured and developed when children experiment with ice and investigate properties, such as melting and freezing. They are encouraged to make connections with other areas

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

of learning when they observe salt melting ice on the roads or chocolate melting. Informal learning opportunities are maximised when children set the table or participate in cooking or baking sessions. Children are offered time to explore and apply their learning and discreetly supported as they plan and initiate their own games. Shopping games develop where children negotiate and collaborate as they adopt different roles. Children have fun being creative and thinking critically when This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 they are offered play dough made with different colours and associated smells. They solve problems as they consider making spirals and eagerly use an enticing collection of tools and colourful items, such as feathers, beads and sequins. Pictures of creative examples add a further dimension and children proudly display their own creations to their friends and family.

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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

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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 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 registration.

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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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