Childminder in Cheshire EastOfsted inspection, 9 Jun 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 EY316818 Inspection date 09/06/2009 Inspector Sue Anslow

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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 2005. She lives with her husband and three children, aged nine, five and two years, in Macclesfield. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding and there is a safely enclosed outdoor play area. The family have two guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time and is currently minding four children under five years, all part time. This provision is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder takes and collects children from the local school and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She belongs to the National Association of Childminders and is an active member of the local childminding network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. Children thoroughly enjoy their time with the childminder and make good progress in their learning and development. The wide range of interesting activities, both indoors and outside, meet all children's needs and offers individual care and support. Effective links with parents and others, ensure children progress well in all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage. All children are welcome into the childminder's home and appropriate resources and activities help them appreciate the wider world around them. The childminder works hard to improve children's enjoyment and play experiences. She is aware of her many strengths, as well as the areas needing further development.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend information gained from parents to include children's interests, preferences, fears and favourites, in order to inform the planning of appropriate activities.

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provision

The childminder is focused on helping all children make good progress in their learning and development, whilst promoting their welfare to the best of her ability. She keeps up to date with relevant advice and guidance through attending courses and workshops and meeting up with other childminders at local toddler groups. The childminder is an active member of her local childminding network and works closely with the coordinator. She has recently submitted a self- evaluation report to Ofsted, highlighting all aspects of her childcare practice and areas she is currently This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 developing. The recommendation from the last inspection was acted on immediately and children now practise evacuation procedures regularly. Safety and security are promoted very well and children are learning to keep themselves safe through daily routines and reminders. They practice road safety and help pick

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provision

things up off the floor when it gets a bit crowded. Written risk assessments are carried out on all areas of the home and garden, as well as venues for outings. Children are kept safe on outings and systems are in place in case the childminder is incapacitated. Children's welfare is maintained appropriately and parents are informed about the childminder's responsibility with regard to child protection issues.

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provision

Effective partnerships with parents are valued and promoted. During the settling in period, the childminder discusses children's home routines, food and toileting habits. However, records are not kept of their interests, preferences and general characters, which help the childminder plan appropriate activities and outings. Good communication links are in place, both verbal and written, to ensure children are cared for in the way parents want and parents are aware of what the children are doing every day. A well organised and easy to read file of written policies and procedures inform and reassure parents of the childminder's commitment to good practice. The childminder is familiar with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She prioritises each child's individual requirements and makes regular observations of their development in all areas. Photographs are taken and the accompanying notes inform parents what their children are learning and how the

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provision

childminder moves them on to the next stage when they are ready.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder provides a wide range of stimulating play activities each day, in order to promote learning and enjoyment for children of all ages. The daily routine includes walks to and from school and visits to local groups, the library and parks. In this way children enjoy social contact with other adults and children and their physical development is promoted through having bigger spaces to play and more varied equipment. They love the 'soft play' sessions where babies and toddlers can climb, crawl and roll in complete safety. Activities are based on the childminder's observations of what children like to do, with appropriate comments or guidance to help them understand and improve their skills. Following a recent training course on 'block play', the childminder now leaves a box of building blocks in the corner of the room, so children can incorporate them into their play activities. For example,

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

they build pens for their animals, roads for the cars and the 'biggest towers in all the world'. The range of small world toys in the playroom/conservatory, encourages children to use their imaginations in making up their own games with different characters. Children use their skills to collect all sorts of small objects in the dumper truck and tip them into the 'skip'. They learn about the wider world around them through the many activities and resources the childminder provides. Walks to school are made more fun by counting the number of red cars they see, or deciding whether cars can stop or go at the red light. They sing songs involving numbers and count how many grapes are left on their plates, when they eat one. The childminder sometimes borrows extra toys from the toy library so children can have fun wheeling the dolls round in the wheelchair or playing on the African 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

drums. The childminder cleverly uses different opportunities to teach children things, for example, drawing their attention to the patterns on the carpet, made by the wheelchair going round in circles.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy and benefit from a close, warm relationship with the childminder, enabling them to make requests or ask questions with confidence. They choose what they want to play with and the childminder is happy to sit back or join in with the games as required. Children love looking at books whilst snuggled up on the childminder's knee. They guess what might be behind the flaps on the page or use soft toys and puppets to play the characters in the story. Interactive toys help children understand how things work and they proudly take photographs of the models they construct, with the childminder's camera. The childminder extends children's play experiences by using lots of natural play materials, such as sand, water and dough. They are currently collecting items, such as pieces of bark and fir cones, for their treasure basket. Children's health and welfare requirements are met very well. They enjoy healthy snacks during the day and have constant access

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

to drinks. Parents provide packed lunches and these are stored appropriately, usually in the fridge. Good hygiene routines are encouraged and any sickness or injuries are managed well. Appropriate praise and attention from the childminder ensures children behave well as they learn to share and take turns. All children are included in all games and activities, according to their age and abilities, and each individual is made to feel special with their qualities encouraged. Ample space and easy access to safe and suitable toys and equipment, enable children to choose what they want to play with and enjoy freedom of movement around the home and outside into the garden. 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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