Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY224823 Inspection date 24/09/2009 Inspector Wendy Brooks

p.1

Type of setting Childminder to achieve excellence in the care of children and young people, and in education and skills for learners of all ages. It regulates and inspects childcare and children's social care, and inspects the Children and Family Court Advisory Support Service (Cafcass), schools, colleges, initial teacher training, work-based learning and skills training, adult and community learning, and education and training in prisons and other secure establishments. It rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk . You may copy all or parts of this document for non-commercial educational purposes, as long as you give details of the source and date of publication and do not alter the information in any way.

p.1

Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

p.2

T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and son aged 18 years in Hoole, near to the city of Chester. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. At present, the childminder cares for seven children under eight years who attend on different days.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is also access to an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder takes children to local schools, playgroups and nurseries. Links have been established with other settings that minded children attend.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a clear understanding of the individual needs of each child in her care. Activities and resources are provided which meet their interests and the childminder tracks the progress children make in their learning. Partnerships have been established with parents and carers to ensure that information is shared well and that children's welfare and development are promoted. The childminder is aware of health and safety procedures, although some required records are not maintained at all times, and children's understanding of keeping themselves safe in an emergency is not fully promoted. Children develop an understanding of diversity and the world around them.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure that the attendance register and daily checks are maintained accurately at all times  extend the frequency of the fire drill practices to develop children's understanding of keeping themselves safe in an emergency

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a secure understanding of her responsibility to protect children's welfare. She has attended recent training and has up-to-date information regarding child protection procedures. All required documentation is in place, however, the attendance register is not always completed each day that minded children attend. The childminder has a record of the checks carried out on the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 areas which children use while at the childminder's home. These checks are not always completed in advance of children's arrival and the record is not accurately maintained at all times. This means that, on occasion, children's health and safety are not fully promoted.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder shares her written policies with parents and carers during the admissions procedure and provides a copy for them to keep for reference. Effective relationships have been established to ensure that children's welfare and development needs are known and cared for. The childminder regularly updates parents during the day about their child's welfare and each child has a daily diary in which comments about the children's welfare and achievements are shared. The childminder knows each child in her care and recognises when they are feeling under the weather. Parents are contacted and asked to collect their child while the childminder continues to keep children comfortable and entertained. Parents are aware of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and children's development folders are available for them to see whenever they wish. Letters from parents reflect their satisfaction with the service the childminder provides. Many positive

p.5

the early years provision

comments have been noted referring to children's learning and general happiness through spending time with the childminder.

p.5

the early years provision

Effective partnerships with other settings where minded children attend have been developed. Staff at the local school are familiar with the childminder and she has liaised with the school on several occasions when parents are unable to attend. The childminder obtains information about topics and activities children are doing at school and supports children to extend their learning by developing these activities while the children are with her.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is aware of the benefits of reflecting on her practice. Over time, she has undertaken various types of self-evaluation, although there is no current record in place to monitor recent actions or improvements made. The childminder adapts her home to suit children's individual needs and preferences and obtains new resources specifically for individual children. She is committed to continuous improvement and keeps her knowledge of current childcare initiatives up-to-date through attending regular training. Since the last inspection, the childminder has taken steps to meet the recommendations made.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder and spend their time engaged in age-appropriate and varied activities. The childminder's home is arranged to allow children space to move around and they can access many of the toys and resources independently as they are stored in low level boxes. Further resources are available which are stored elsewhere and the childminder ensures children have a mix of indoor and outdoor play, in addition to frequent visits to playgroups and drop in sessions.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder carries out regular observations of children during their play and stores photographs, examples of children's artwork and written notes on their This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 development in individual folders. These folders are shared with parents and enable the childminder to track the progress children are making. The childminder is aware of the six areas of learning within the EYFS and ensures that children have a range of activities to support their learning across all areas. The observations of children enable the childminder to identify next steps in children's learning and she uses the information to think about activities to introduce which will support children's development. There are no written plans in place, however, the childminder demonstrates through discussion how she plans activities for individual children's learning.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Babies and young children enjoy sitting with the childminder to share stories, take part in action rhymes and take turns playing 'what's in the bag?' As children take an object out of the bag they talk about the name of the object, what it does and then sing a rhyme about it. For example, young children enjoy taking part in familiar rhymes, such as 'Row, Row, Row the Boat' and 'Little Peter Rabbit'. Children also develop their numeracy skills as they sing number rhymes, such as 'Five little speckled frogs', and the childminder encourages early calculation skills by asking the children 'how many are left?' Babies and young children have a selection of toys which they enjoy exploring. Babies shake rattles, press and twist buttons to make noises and squeeze soft toys. There are currently few natural resources for children to explore which the childminder has already identified as an area for development and is due to attend training in this area.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Further activities provided by the childminder include physical play, arts and crafts and imaginative play. Children push dolls around the room in the pram and take them out for cuddles. As they pretend to change the doll's nappy they talk about putting cream on to make them better, reflecting what they see in everyday routines around them. Children develop an understanding of the environment as they spend time outdoors walking to school and visiting parks. Children begin to develop an understanding of sustainability as they help to recycle and children enjoy planting sunflowers, daffodils and tomatoes. Older children talk to the childminder about significant events, such as global warming and the impact this is having on animals in the wild.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder has a fire drill procedure which she has practised with children. However, this is done infrequently and does not support children to develop an understanding of keeping themselves safe in an emergency. Children are encouraged to adopt healthy lifestyles by having regular drinks of water and eating a variety of nutritious meals and snacks, such as yoghurt, fruit and breadsticks. The childminder encourages children to learn about diversity through the activities and resources provided and by encouraging minded children to share events and experiences from their family background. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8