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 303965 Inspection date 15/04/2009 Inspector Sylvia Cornock

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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 has been registered since 1989. She lives with her husband, adult son and a child aged 13-years-old. The family live in Lostock Gralam Northwich, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor, two upstairs bedrooms and bathroom are used for childminding purposes and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five years of whom two attend for five full days each week and one on a part time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Registers. Family pets include a dog, rabbit and tortoise.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has completed the local authority training course and since the last inspection has completed NVQ level 3 in childcare. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and the local childminding network. She holds the NCMA quality first certificate.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children to pre-school and works with other carers. She attends local toddler and childminding groups.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder's provision is outstanding. The childminder gives children the best opportunities to learn and develop through a wealth of experiences and play choices. An extremely stimulating, welcoming and inclusive environment supports children's good progress. She is highly committed to each individual and successfully includes each one, understanding their home backgrounds and individual needs well. Excellent quality liaison with parents and pre-schools supports and promotes consistent care and learning. Her organisation and commitment to improve are impressive. She has undertaken the recommendation from the last inspection by ensuring that all persons living in the household are appropriately vetted. Through the self-evaluation documents used and her ability to provide and document all the EYFS requirements she enhances her commitment to improve.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to develop children's individual treasure baskets to include natural materials. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

The childminder's organisation and management are excellent. Her records, policies and procedures are superbly organised and are highly effective in supporting the service. Her safeguarding, complaints and emergency procedures are well known and robust. Her focus is always upon helping all children to make outstanding progress and promoting their welfare. She uses daily risk assessment safety checklists to ensure that the environment is always safe, clean and fit for use. She completes written risk assessments for places of interest she intends to take the children to prior to the visit. She keeps daily records of children's progress and makes detailed topic and activity plans to ensure that the six areas of learning are provided in stimulating and varied ways, which also consider all the outcomes for children. As a result, children's interest is captivated and they are quickly learning how to be healthy, safe, positive, considerate people with a desire to

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provision

The childminder organises the space, resources and outdoor experiences with great skill and keeps all areas immaculately clean and accessible. This ensures that children receive an extremely rich and stimulating play experience, with a well- balanced mix of adult-led and child-initiated play. The childminder ensures her knowledge and understanding of individual children's needs are met through regular discussion with parents and others. She updates her resources, activity ideas, policies and procedures accordingly. She regularly evaluates the outcomes for the children she is caring for to ensure that the service continues to effectively improve. The childminder uses her self- evaluation system to improve any areas identified for improvement and is currently encouraging children to make their own treasure box to house items which are special to them. She has great enthusiasm for continuous improvement and has a thorough working knowledge of the EYFS.

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provision

Partnerships with parents are excellent as the childminder discusses every aspect of their child's learning and development with them. Displayed information, children's artwork and informative portfolios clearly display to parents the high quality care and education that is offered. In addition, parents are given their own copies of all the policies and procedures of the setting. The childminder exchanges information between the pre-school, local school and parents in order to facilitate good liaison arrangements. The childminder supports families and children exceptionally well where there are additional needs. Children and parents are always warmly welcomed and included in what their child is doing and are encouraged to continue this at home so that they too are enjoying seeing their child develop.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The learning environment provided by the childminder and her personal skills are exceptional. The routines for indoor and outdoor play are consistently used and applied. As a result, all children feel secure, confident and at home and make significant gains in their learning and development. Resources are varied, stimulating and easy to access. Children's levels of achievement are excellent in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 relation to their starting points and capabilities.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder consistently uses all her own personal skills and insights into each child to promote their development, making great use of praise and confidence building to successfully teach children to behave well, respond enthusiastically and play cooperatively. The childminder focuses on personal, social and emotional development as she encourages children to undertake their own personal skills. There is an emphasis on self-esteem, teaching children to participate, adopt safe and hygienic routines and behave with both pride in themselves and consideration for all others. The childminder also encourages children's development of communication, language and literacy skills. She provides time for reading as children of all ages can freely access books from the wide selection provided. Children are confident as they select toys and equipment of their choice. Children have great fun as they role play becoming doctors and comparing themselves to

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

the childminder as they wear the doctors glasses or change the play den into a tent by independently placing a blanket over the top.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder extends children's creative and physical skills, their problem solving skills and their understanding of the world as she plans trips to places of interest and outdoor activities. The childminder takes every opportunity to develop mathematical skills as she encourages children to count objects and refer to the colour. The children view themselves through the different shaped mirrors displayed at their level on the wall. They have great fun during art and craft activities as they design and make birds with different materials. Children are involved fully in all aspects of an activity from start to finish and the childminder never wastes an opportunity to explain why something happens or how it works.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's welfare to a consistently high level. She blends daily routines and activities expertly together so that children acquire competence, confidence and independence in all areas. For example, children are taught how to be safe crossing roads, about personal safety as they use various toys and objects. The childminder promotes healthy eating as she provides children with an understanding of what is good for us through play activities and posters displayed. The childminder is constantly alert and takes all opportunities to refer back and discuss past and present themes and adventures with children. This enables them to remember and celebrate the activities that they have enjoyed as well as consolidating valuable learning about themselves and their world. The childminder focuses upon emotional and physical health and cultural diversity as she provides food for children from other cultural backgrounds. As a result,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

children exhibit excellent skills. They know how to act safely outdoors and to make healthy eating choices, adopt good personal hygiene, are considerate to others and are self-confident in choosing activities and resources of their choice. 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? 1 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? 1

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 1 How well are children helped to be healthy? 1 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 1 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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