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 304204 Inspection date 20/04/2009 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 1992. She lives with her husband, adult son and daughter in Little Sutton, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor and first floor bathroom of the house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently four children on roll in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and five children aged over five years. The childminder is registered with Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She supports children with learning difficulties. Children are taken to the local toddler group that the childminder operates one morning each week. The childminder walks to local schools and nurseries to take and collect children.

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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 as they are skilfully supported through their individual learning journey. Effective communication with parents, other agencies and providers within EYFS help to ensure that children's additional needs are identified and met. Children's welfare needs are safeguarded through clear procedures, although there are some omissions in documentation and self-evaluation processes have not been fully addressed.

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further?

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

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further?

 consider implementing self-evaluation procedures as a formal basis of ongoing improvement through assessment against robust and challenging quality criteria.

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further?

To fully meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 record when and by whom risk assessments have been checked (Suitable premises, environment and equipment). 12/05/2009

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provision

The childminder is experienced and well organised. She is strongly committed towards providing high quality care and education for children. She has made a number of improvements since her last inspection and has successfully met all This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 recommendations. She has developed a portfolio of her policies, procedures and information leaflets to support her practice and meet requirements. These are shared with parents and carers and reviewed on a regular basis. This has a positive effect on the protection of children's safety and well-being. Comprehensive risk assessments are completed on a regular basis on all aspects of the environment that need to be checked. These records are not dated and signed, however, which is a breach in the requirements for maintaining accurate risk assessments to protect children. The childminder identifies gaps in her knowledge

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provision

and undertakes regular training to continually improve the quality of her provision. For example, she attended safeguarding courses to ensure that her understanding of local child protection procedures is up to date. The childminder regularly reflects informally on the impact of her practice for individual children. She shares good practice ideas with other childminders, often researches aspects on the internet or revisits EYFS documentation to review and improve her practice. However, she has not introduced a formal, effective self-evaluation system to assess what her provision offers against robust and challenging criteria in her quality improvement process .

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provision

Parents are very happy with the quality of the childminder's provision and comment that they are very pleased with their child's progress in 'the positive environment'. Information 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 progress within EYFS. The childminder has established informal systems to share information with other carers within EYFS, such as the pre-school which children in her care attend. The childminder has a good awareness of equal opportunities issues and positively values and includes children. Effective partnerships are maintained with parents, other providers and appropriate support agencies, such as speech therapists, to provide consistency and continuity for children with challenging behaviours and speech problems.

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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 and other adults as they enthusiastically ask questions and eagerly share information about what they are doing. Children develop independence in their self-help skills as they learn to follow clear routines. Toilet training programmes are shared with parents to promote consistency and support for children's growing independence. Children learn to make their own choices and decisions as they request an activity or help themselves form a range of accessible resources. 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 calm, consistent and respectful example. Children learn to share and take turns as they begin to play cooperatively. Minor disagreements are skilfully dealt with in a way that is appropriate to each child's

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

age and stage of development. For example, young children hug their friends and say sorry after a dispute and begin to consider other people's feelings. Children learn to recognise dangers and consider how to respond to potential risks and hazards as they follow road safety procedures on outings or consider 'stranger This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 danger'. Children benefit from a healthy lifestyle as they enjoy energetic walks and explore their natural environment and local community on adventurous outings on buses or trains. Physical skills are explored and practised as children clamber through tunnels or toddlers test their balance and mobility as they learn to walk. Snacks consist of nutritious, healthy options which children clearly enjoy. Young children are encouraged to drink fresh water on a regular basis, and especially during warmer weather. Children's preferences and individual dietary needs are

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

met. The childminder's training in food hygiene helps to ensure that food is appropriately prepared and children's health is protected.

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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 successfully puts them into practice to help children 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 is celebrated in a summary document on a regular basis. This information enables the childminder to identify appropriate next steps in learning and development for each child and use this information in future planning. The childminder offers a good balance of adult-led and child- initiated activities that result in children being creative and thinking critically. Activities are adapted to ensure that every child is included. For example, toddlers are gently supported and actively involved by the childminder during a small group activity with play dough. Everyone has fun experimenting and investigating with

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

smells, taste and textures and creating intricate shapes and use tools to make patterns. Children excitedly share their interest with everyone as they proudly display their creations. 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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