Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 303885 Inspection date 28/01/2010 Inspector Sylvia Cornock

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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 0300 123 1231, 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: 0300 123 1231 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 1978. She lives with her husband in the Westminster Park area of Chester. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding purposes, and there is a secure garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom, three may be within the early years age group. When working with an assistant at the above premises, she may care for a maximum of six children at any one time, of whom no more than four may be within the early years age group. The childminder is currently caring for four children in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), all on a part-time basis. She also cares for older school aged children. This provision is registered by Ofsted on both parts of the Childcare Register. The family has two pet dogs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association. She takes and meets children to the local nursery and schools.

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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

The childminder has attended training and meetings on the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), but has not fully implemented this in practice. The childminder provides a wide variety of activities and interests for all children. She offers a totally inclusive environment, ensuring children are happy and thrive. However, not all systems are in place to monitor the childminding provision or to fully observe and assess the children's individual learning needs. The childminder has addressed the three recommendations from her last inspection. However, she does not have a current first aid certificate, and this is a breach of the regulations. She has not undertaken any form of self-evaluation or fully addressed all aspects of risk assessments for outings. Partnership with parents is positively promoted, as good relationships are forged and verbal updates are provided.

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further?

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

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further?

 forward a copy of the current first aid certificate to Ofsted. (Qualifications, training, knowledge and skills) (also applies to both parts of the Childcare Register) 19/03/2010

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop risk assessments for outings  further develop knowledge of the EYFS to support observations and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 assessments to use and promote the next steps in children's learning  encourage a culture of reflective practice, self-evaluation and informed discussion to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children.

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the early years provision

The childminder organises the play environment satisfactorily, providing various activities which help support all areas of the children's learning. The childminder provides a comfortable and homely environment, enabling children to relax and rest according to their needs. The children are kept safe day-to-day by the childminder's vigilance and the fact that she constantly supervises them both indoors and outdoors. She offers a totally inclusive environment and shows good care and concern to all children, to ensure they thrive and develop well. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities to provide play and activities. The childminder has attended some training for the EYFS. Although, some areas still need to be developed, such as observations and assessment of children's progress to ensure that the next steps in their learning are promoted.

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the early years provision

Effective risk assessments for the home are used to support ongoing safety. However, the risk assessments completed for outings do not record the places visited. Some effective policies and procedures are in place. The childminder continues to access training to support her ongoing development. However, she does not hold a current first aid certificate, this means that the requirements of registration are breached; although, she has confirmation that she has been accepted for a training course within the next month. The childminder records the children's daily attendance appropriately and has systems in place for the recording of accidents and medication administered. Systems are in place to protect the children because the childminder has some knowledge of the procedures to follow in reporting any concerns.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents and carers are good, parents are kept informed on a daily basis about their child's day. The childminder completes written contracts with parents which are confidentially stored and contain some of the required information about the child, including written consent for emergency medical treatment from health care professionals. The childminder gains detailed information about what a child can do when they start with her. She offers the children appropriate activities for their age and understanding. The childminder has not completed any form of self-evaluation to assess the quality of her childminding, and as a result she has not identified or addressed weaknesses in the provision. She works with other carers, such as, the local nursery where some of the children attend, through the exchanging of information. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The children experience an atmosphere where the childminder provides care and opportunities for children to develop their play experiences. There is a good range of toys and equipment for the children currently being cared for. The childminder introduces a variety of activities suitable for the age and stage of the children's understanding and development, and supports opportunities for them to independently initiate their own play. For example, the children freely move from one activity to another, building with construction kits, enjoying role play with the garage and cars. The childminder extends children's thinking by asking questions about their imaginary play. They respond by explaining what they have built, its a fire engine and a police car and they are going to the fire, the children then use their imaginary water hose to put out the fire. The childminder further develops the children's interests by encouraging their language skills as they observe the

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and outcomes for children

birds outside. They are able to access binoculars to observe the wild life at a closer range. To extend their interests they go bug hunting in the garden, the childminder encourages the use of books to view and compare what they have found. This helps children understand living things and the world around us.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder uses her input to competently help the children make progress in their communication, language and literacy, numeracy and problem solving. She continually encourages children to think as she asks them questions about colour, shape and size; she supports children in their understanding of numbers and their counting skills. The children have the opportunity to use their small physical skills as they use writing materials to mark-make. The children are taken out into the community and places of interest. This gives them an understanding of the world and the environment around them. They have opportunities to balance and climb on apparatus when in the garden which has a wide selection of apparatus and equipment.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder encourages good behaviour and gives lots of praise for achievements. The children display good manners as they say please and thank you. The childminder offers suitable opportunities for the children to learn how to look after their own health, safety and well-being. She encourages and promotes good personal hygiene and offers healthy snacks and drinks. The children are kept safe when taken out in the car or out walking, and they know that they must hold the childminder's hand at all times to stay safe. 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 3 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 3 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 3 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 (CR4 Qualifications and training) 19/03/2010

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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 (CR4 Qualifications and training) 19/03/2010

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