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 EY291610 Inspection date 13/01/2009 Inspector Gillian Sutherland

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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 2004. She and her son aged eight years old live in a residential area of the city of Chester. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one 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 a total of six children on roll, all of whom attend on a part time basis.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Child Minding Association.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's good partnership with parents, her knowledge of each child's individual needs and the provision of appropriate resources ensures that children make progress in their learning and development. Children benefit from the thoughtfully laid out play spaces, where toys and resources that meet their individual needs, are set out in such a way that they can self-select which ones they want to access. Children are safeguarded as the childminder has appropriate policies and practices which comply with current legislation. The childminder shares information with parents about the activity programme and their child’s achievements and development. The childminder ensures that children develop a sense of security through close and caring contact with her and that all children have fun and make some progress in their learning. The childminder has begun to familiarise herself with the new Early Years Foundation Stage framework and has

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

already implemented many of the requirements into her daily practices.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage  develop the planning and assessment systems for each child, to ensure that future activities will challenge them and help children make further progress.

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provision

The childminder is very well organised and ensures that her home is a welcoming environment for children to play in. She ensures that children in her care are safe and secure; they cannot leave the premises unsupervised and she ensures that all adults with whom the children may have regular contact with are suitable. Children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are encouraged to develop an awareness of their own safety as they participate in regular fire drills within the home and when on outings with the childminder are made aware of road safety issues. Prior to any outings taking place the childminder carries out a risk assessment and determines the suitability of each venue.

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provision

The childminder is very committed to provide an inclusive childminding service where all parents and children feel welcome. She has many resources which ensure that children gain an insight into the differing needs of people not only within their local community but also within the wider world.

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provision

The childminder has developed a good partnership with parents as she has prepared a portfolio which she shares with parents from the beginning and this file includes copies of her latest inspection report, details of any relevant training plus the childminder's comprehensive policies and procedures. She has also devised questionnaires which some parents have completed and provided the childminder with positive feedback about the care provided.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has started to understand the Early Years Foundation Stage and plans and implements an activity programme that is both challenging and enjoyable. Children benefit from a varied range of good quality play materials, books and resources. The childminder provides them with age appropriate resources and encourages them to participate in a varied range of activities which develop their physical skills, creative development and also introduces them to simple mathematics and problem solving. For example they learn how high to build a tower using blocks and to recognise their colours and shapes in books plus the varied range of art and craft work they participate in. Children benefit from accessing a good quality choice of play materials, books and resources. The childminder sits at the same level as she looks through picture books with the children and encourages them to join in simple action rhymes or listen to stories

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and she is fully aware of how this benefits their communication, language and literacy skills. For the very young child the childminder is quick to recognise when they need a reassuring or comforting hug and cuddle. The childminder has begun to record children’s progress and will develop this by adding photographs of the children participating in many of the activities provided.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is keen to attend any relevant training or workshops whenever possible, as she is aware that such training will keep her updated with current childcare trends and practices. The childminder plans the activity programme and assesses what children will gain or have gained from a certain activity and what may need to be altered to ensure that children can progress further. Parents are also provided on a daily basis with verbal or written feedback about their children's care, learning and development. The childminder encourages them to contribute by adding any comments they may have into their child's diary. Children have settling in periods to help them adjust to the childminder's setting, and their parents provide the childminder with information about where their child is up to regarding their development before care commences. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

All children have healthy snacks and meals as the childminder makes them aware through discussion and pictures of the benefits of eating five pieces of fruit or vegetables every day. Children's physical development is well promoted as they enjoy outings to local places of interest or access a range of outdoor activities in the garden or as they walk to and from the local school. The childminder has some outdoor play equipment, however in the local parks or places of interest children benefit from the wider open play spaces and sometimes feeding the squirrels. Children learn about nature and some of the childminder's photographic evidence portrayed their delight as these creatures crept forward to enjoy the treats they had brought for them.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy their time spent with the childminder as she engages them in a wide and varied range of activities, both indoors and outdoors. They have fun as they play with the road mat and have a selection of vehicles to skilfully manoeuvre around. The daily activity programme is planned to meet the individual needs of each child attending and the childminder provides parents with written or verbal feedback as to the activities their child has participated in and how they have benefited from accessing such activities. The childminder then uses such information when planning future activities. 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 the last inspection visit.

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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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