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 EY308896 Inspection date 07/08/2009 Inspector Elizabeth Margaret Grocott

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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 and lives with her husband and two children aged 12 and nine, in the Helsby area of Frodsham. The whole of the ground floor of the home is used for childminding as well as the bathroom on the first floor. There is a patio garden to the rear of the property. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register, and is accessible to all.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time. There are currently six children on roll of whom four are within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). The childminder goes to local schools to take and collect children and attends parent and toddler sessions. The childminder has a National Vocational Qualification level 2 in Childcare and Education. She receives support from the local authority and the family have several pets including chickens, ferrets, a hamster and a kitten.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is satisfactory. The childminder provides a warm, caring and welcoming environment for children and their families. She has started to evaluate her provision, helping to improve practice. Through reflection, plans for the future are well targeted to bring about improvement in the outcomes for children. Planning and assessment across the six areas of learning is only in place for one child and partnership with parents is not fully developed. Some important policies are outdated and not all adults in contact with children have undergone the required enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) checks.

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further?

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

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further?

 use observations and assessments to identify learning priorities and plan relevant and motivating learning experiences for all children and strengthen the links between planning and assessment systems to clearly show how their individual next steps are planned for to offer sufficient challenge and maximise their learning  support the important working in partnership with parents relationship by sharing information and offering support for extending learning in the home  ensure there is an up-to-date understanding of safeguarding children procedures and be able to implement the safeguarding children policy and procedure appropriately. Ensure the policies are in line with Local Safeguarding Children's Board local guidance and procedures  provide the details for parents for contacting Ofsted and an explanation that parents can make a complaint to Ofsted should they wish. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau Disclosure in respect of every person aged 16 or over, who lives at the property or who has regular contact with minded children, is sought from Ofsted (Suitability of adults). 21/08/2009

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provision

The childminder has an insecure knowledge and understanding of safeguarding policies and procedures to keep children safe and protect them from harm, however, she has a sound understanding of the possible indicators of abuse or neglect. All adults have had checks carried out by CRB, however, the assistant only has a standard check and not an enhanced check as required under the EYFS. This is a breach of regulations. Children are cared for in an indoor environment where the childminder prioritises their safety. They practice evacuating the home to ensure they learn how to keep themselves safe, they know not to remove their seatbelts until the childminder comes round to the side of the car and they discuss the possible dangers of talking to strangers. Risk assessments are robust and include the home as well as the varied outings that children make.

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provision

The childminder demonstrates continuous improvement as the recommendations from the last inspection have been addressed. All parents have signed an agreement allowing the childminder to seek emergency medical advice or treatment should the need arise and security of the home is maximised. This helps to protect children. All parents have a copy of the complaints procedure although the details for contacting Ofsted and an explanation that parents can make a complaint to Ofsted should they wish is not made clear.

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provision

The childminder has developed sound partnerships with parents, giving them information about her service through policies and procedures. The parents are very happy with the care their children receive, writing complimentary letters of support. However, as yet the childminder has not extended this by sharing information and offering support for extending learning in the home. The childminder continues her professional development by attending training courses. These include a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level two, first aid and EYFS.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder is friendly and demonstrates warm relationships with the children in her care. She provides a bright, clean environment which is dedicated to children's play and learning and children are happy in her care. They are settled and confident and benefit from regular trips out into the local community including visits, such as a climb up Helsby hill where they can see the childminder's house from the top and a walk to a quarry where they can explore the caves. The This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 childminder has a good understanding of the individual personalities of the children in her care. She provides activities, following their individual interests for example, a collection of dinosaurs. Their knowledge and understanding of the world is developed as they discuss the names of the different types of dinosaur, such as Veloceraptor, Stegosaurus and Tyrannosaurus Rex. Children develop imagination

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

and creative skills as they enjoy role play, colouring and stencils. They learn how to care for living things as they feed the chickens and search for the eggs they have laid.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

The childminder has developed a sound understanding of the EYFS and the areas of learning. She makes regular observations, linking these to the learning areas. As yet the assessments are not linked to planning for the children's next steps, so learning is not maximised. The observations are only recorded for one child, so other children are not being monitored sufficiently. There is a balance of adult lead and child initiated activities as the childminder joins in children's play when invited.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children's health is promoted effectively as they enjoy healthy meals with the childminder including snacks of fresh fruit and lunches of sandwiches, yoghurts or poached eggs on toast. Hygienic procedures in place positively promote children's welfare and medicine and accident procedures are robust, further promoting their welfare. Children are encouraged to be kind to one another and respect the toys and equipment. There are pictorial reminders of the house rules displayed in the play room. 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? 3 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? 3

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Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 3 How well are children helped to be healthy? 3 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 3 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: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Not Met (with actions)

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

The registered provider does not meet the requirements of the compulsory and or voluntary part/s of the Childcare Register.

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the Early Years Register section of the report (CR2.3) (Also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register). 21/08/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

To comply with the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register, the registered person must take the following action/s by the specified date:

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the compulsory Childcare Register section of the report (CR2.3). 21/08/2009

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