Childminder in Cheshire East

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 EY264029 Inspection date 29/04/2009 Inspector Valerie Thomas

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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 2003 and works with his wife who is also a registered childminder. They live in Macclesfield and the whole of the ground floor of the property and one bedroom on the first floor are used for childminding and access is via two steps into the home. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has two pet cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for six children under eight years. He is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. He is currently caring for 16 children in conjunction with his wife. All children attend on a part-time basis, nine of whom are in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). There are arrangements in place with the local nursery and schools that children attend. The childminder is part of the Macclesfield Childminding Network.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good. Children enjoy warm relationships with the childminder and engage in a wide range of activities that promote their learning and development well. Relationships with parents and others are positive and help to ensure that all children's individual needs are met. The childminder works in conjunction with the co-childminder to evaluate what is offered and has a strong commitment to future improvement. Generally, policies and procedures work in practice to promote children's welfare and the system to assess children's progress is currently being developed.

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further?

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

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further?

 involve the parents more in reviewing their child's progress  ensure the risk assessment covers anything with which a child may come into contact; this refers to the arrangements for pets.

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures and has recently attended training to update his knowledge. Consequently, he has a strong understanding of the indicators of abuse and is clearly able to follow correct reporting procedures. Risk assessments are detailed and cover most areas, with daily safety checks taking place. Many safety precautions are implemented such as a large net around the trampoline and a fence on the underside to stop children crawling underneath. A high level of supervision also safeguards children from accidental harm. However, the risk assessment does not cover everything that children come into contact with, namely, the cats present in the house which does This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 not fully promote children's good health. All other documentation is organised well with detailed policies and procedures in place and clear recording of any accidents

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provision

that occur and any medication administered. This helps to promote children's welfare. The childminder works hard to offer a welcoming and stimulating environment to all children and very effective use is made of free-flow play between the indoor and outdoor areas.

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provision

The self-evaluation process is good and the childminder is clearly able to identify what his strengths are and where improvements can be made. He liaises closely with the co-childminder and attends regular meetings with other practitioners to discuss practices. Feedback from parents and children is collated to assess their satisfaction with the care and learning that is provided and there are many positive comments received. For instance, parents are happy with the consistent routines and find the childminder very approachable and supportive. The childminder is committed to developing his knowledge of childcare practices through attending various training courses and he has achieved a Level 3 Certificate in Childminding Practice. He continually strives for improvement and has ensured that the recommendation from the last inspection in relation to ensuring drinks of water are easily accessible is fully met and children can now help themselves. As a result,

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provision

Partnerships with parents and other settings that deliver the EYFS are good. The childminder ensures that parents fully understand the policies and procedures implemented through discussion at the initial visit and there is a notice board which displays the daily menu and activities undertaken that day. Involvement in children's learning is encouraged as the childminder suggests books that can help a child to learn their colours and numbers and daily discussion keeps parents informed of their child's day. However, parents are not fully included in the observation and assessment process to identify the next steps in their child's learning and share learning that takes place in the home. Positive partnerships with other settings that children in the EYFS attend are effectively forged. The childminder obtains details of the topics and planning for the term and uses this information to complement what is offered in the setting. This ensures continuity

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children benefit immensely from the healthy and nutritional diet prepared by the childminder and individual dietary needs are fully discussed with parents. Children enjoy eating a mixture of white and wholemeal sandwiches and make healthy choices from the varied selection of salad items as an accompaniment. Mealtimes are a social occasion and children chat to each other happily as they sit together and the childminder develops their language further by talking to them about their morning at the nursery. Engaging activities such as growing their own lettuces and sweetcorn in the garden encourage them to learn about where food comes from and what is healthy to eat. On the whole, hygiene is promoted effectively. The childminder checks whether children wash their hands after they have been to the toilet and the clear routines before lunch time and good explanation of why hands need washing help to prevent the spread of infection. However, this is not always

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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 extended to when children stroke the cat which does not fully promote children's health. Physical development is successfully encouraged with substantial opportunities to play outside in the fresh air. Children thoroughly enjoy climbing on the slide and have lots of fun as they jump up and down on the trampoline. Children also learn about how to stay safe during their play and routines. For example, they know that only one person can go on the trampoline and so they patiently wait for their turn. They take part in regular fire drills and the childminder makes sure that children sit down to eat their food so that they do not choke.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder plans a wide range of experiences for all children and there is an extensive range of resources for children to choose from. They are stored in the garage in clearly labelled trays so that children can make decisions about their play and develop their independence. There is a varied range set out each day to ensure all children are motivated in their learning. As a result, children are very happy in the home and are confident learners. The childminder observes children as they play to assess their learning and development under each area of learning and then discusses it with the co-childminder who records the details in the child's individual 'Learning Journey' file and identifies the next steps to help them progress towards the early learning goals. This ensures that children are constantly stimulated and encouraged to develop. The childminder engages in children's play and stimulates their early writing skills as they make marks on the chalk board and

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

try to draw different shapes. Opportunities for children to make marks are further extended as children use sticks to write in the tea leaves and develop their creative skills through painting and making models in the sand. Understanding of number is promoted well as children are encouraged to count how many cats are on the wind chime in the garden and compare the size of the towers they make by counting the bricks as they build with the construction set.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

There are very good opportunities for children to develop problem solving skills and at the same time extend their knowledge and understanding of the world. One project was to make a planter for the plants which involved children going to the shop to buy the wood. They helped to measure the planks of wood and learned how to fix the pieces together by using the electronic drill under close supervision. They had a great sense of achievement when they were able to plant their flowers in the container which proudly stands at the front of the house. They also learn about being considerate to others in the wider community as they celebrate a varied range of festivals, tasting Chinese and Indian food and play with the good range of resources which reflect positive images of different cultures, disability and gender. This encourages them to respect diversity and understand people's differences helping them to make a positive contribution to society. The

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

childminder deals with any unwanted behaviour calmly and uses praise and encouragement to promote children's understanding of what is expected from them. They use their manners very well, saying 'no thank you' when asked if they want any peppers with their sandwiches. Consequently, children are developing good skills for their future learning. 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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