Childminder in Cheshire EastOfsted inspection, 22 Sept 2009

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY332156 Inspection date 22/09/2009 Inspector Anne Drinkwater

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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.

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

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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

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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.

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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

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Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and two children aged eight and 14 years in the Knutsford area of Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding which includes toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed rear garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early year’s age range. She currently has seven children on role of which three are in the early year's age range. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register, compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy, settled and confident in the homely environment provided for them. The childminder is attentive to their care needs and provides them with access to a wide range of good quality resources and activities. Although she is aware evaluation, observation and planning systems are in the early stages of development she is committed to implementing changes to support her in securing future and ongoing improvements to her practice.

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further?

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

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further?

 make available to parents a written statement that provides details of the procedure to be followed if they have a complaint, which includes the details for contacting Ofsted and an explanation that parents can make a complaint to Ofsted should they wish (Safeguarding and promoting children's welfare) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 13/10/2009

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further?

 conduct a risk assessment for the home environment, garden and each type of outing and maintain a record of these clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Safeguarding and welfare) (also applies to the voluntary part of the Childcare Register) 13/10/2009

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to implement and develop planning, observation and assessment This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 systems for all children in the EYFS range and share children's achievements with parents  involve parents as part of the children's ongoing observation and assessment process and set up systems to gain information on children's developmental starting points on entry to the setting  provide positive images and activities to challenge children’s thinking and help them develop respect for equality and for differences in culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, disabilities and learning difficulties and religion  continue to develop self-evaluation to bring about continuous improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sufficient knowledge of child protection issues to enable her to take appropriate action should she have a concern about a child in her care. She supervises children well and helps them to learn about potential risks, such as when on outings. They practise fire drills to enable them to understand the dangers of fire and are reminded of their green cross code. However, the required risk assessments have not been carried out, which is a breach of regulations.

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the early years provision

Children are out and about on a daily basis, visiting local toddler groups, the park, childminders and other local places of interest. The childminder uses the space within her home well to meet all the children's care needs. They receive lots of support and as a consequence make new friends and learn to play nicely alongside others. They have access to a wide range of good quality resources appropriate to their age and stage of development. Her recently developed planning follows the children's lead and she supports this by adding her own suggestions to ensure they experience a full range of different activities during the day, such as arts and crafts, mark making and activities to support their learning in their knowledge and understanding of the world. Children have some introduction to help them develop a positive attitude to people's differences, however, resources and activities are limited and do not cover all areas of diversity or differences.

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the early years provision

The childminder meets with other childminders and professionals which has helped her to ensure that most of the welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) are being met. Parents are provided with well written policies and procedures, however, she has not made available to parents a written statement that provides details of the full procedure to be followed if they have a complaint and is yet to set up systems to gain information on children's developmental starting points on entry to the setting. She has renewed her first aid certificate and attended training to help her implement the EYFS since her last inspection; in addition she has met most of the recommendations made at the last inspection. She is aware of her strengths and weaknesses and has identified that self- evaluation, planning and observations systems are areas for improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder has daily contact with the other early year’s settings that the children attend and sufficient systems are in place for all parties to share what they know about the children. Parents, through the use of daily written diaries are kept informed of the child's well-being, although they are not as yet, routinely This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 involved in the children's learning and ongoing development. That said, the many testimonials from parents demonstrate a high regard for their childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's home is maintained to a high standard and through daily routines children are learning to follow some positive healthy and safe practices. Children are learning to recognise the need to wash their hands throughout the day and are learning the benefits of healthy eating as she provides organic rice cakes, home made casseroles and fruit.

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and outcomes for children

The children's days are based around the toys and play provision they would like to play with. In addition she plans some activities and is on hand to support these choices and make suggestions of her own so that children experience a wide range and balance of different activities. The childminder supports the children well in their choices, with lots of praise and encouragement.

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and outcomes for children

She plays alongside children, she sits on the floor and chats continually to the children and babies, and this means she is on hand to offer help and encouragement if needed and also to extend children’s play. For example, small children are developing their hand eye coordination as they place dried pasta in the plastic bottles, these are then sealed and cause great delight as they shake their new rattle. Children can recognise their names on their painting on the wall, they become familiar with rhythm in songs and play their favourite instruments at the weekly music sessions. Children show a love of books and snuggle against the childminder as she reads. Creative activities are a particular favourite and the many photographs and examples show children’s love of paint as they create their masterpieces. Children's physical development is promoted daily as they play in the garden, walk in the park or hunt for the fir cones they will paint and decorate.

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and outcomes for children

Individual portfolios containing photographs, some observations and samples of children's artwork are well presented, however, her basic planning and observations means that she is not able to focus her attention and support, so that all children attending benefit from their experiences and are all sufficiently challenged and make progress in their 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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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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

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 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 3 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 3

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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

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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 section of the report (CR7) 13/10/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR2). 13/10/2009

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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 early years section of the report (CR7) 13/10/2009

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

 take action as specified in the early years section of the report (CR2). 13/10/2009

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