Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 304750 Inspection date 08/12/2009 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 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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children aged 10 and 14 years in Elton, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden 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 at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group and one school aged child and two children on the voluntary register. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Registers. The family has a hamster.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is a member of the local childminder support group and the childminding network. She visits childminding groups, children's centres and parent toddler groups on a regular weekly basis. She takes and collects children to and from the local school.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children feel safe in the childminder's care where their welfare and well-being is rigorously safeguarded through comprehensive procedures. Activities provided are exciting, age related and support children in developing skills for the future. Children are respected and valued as individuals and they make good progress in their learning and development. The childminder values children's individuality and offers a totally inclusive environment. She has addressed the recommendation from the last inspection and regularly self-evaluates her practice. She has identified that the system for obtaining parents permission for administration of medication requires clarification. The childminder values the importance of working together to promote high quality education and care through working in partnership with parents and other carers.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the system for obtaining parental permission for the adminisatration of medication.

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the early years provision

Children's safety and well-being is well protected through the childminder's awareness of appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures. Accurate This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 documentation protects the welfare of the children, meets all requirements and is stored to respect confidentiality. The childminder's home is very well organised and maintained to meet children's individual needs. Areas and resources are organised to promote children's independence and develop active learning. Activities extend to the outdoors where the childminder provides a further range of challenging opportunities.

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the early years provision

The childminder has completed very good risk assessments which are recorded and reviewed for outings and, on the whole, childminding environment. The childminder promotes an enabling, inclusive environment where children are helped to value different aspects of their own and other people's lives. Resources and planned activities to promote children's understanding of cultural diversity and disabilities are given high priority. The children are currently involved at looking at the community in every aspect.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic, conscientious and strongly committed towards continually improving the overall quality of care and education she provides for children and their families. She regularly self-evaluates to highlight her settings strengths and weaknesses. Priorities for improvement are well targeted to bring about further improvement and promote positive outcomes for children. An area for improvement highlighted is to review the system for obtaining permission for the administration of medication.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a very good relationship with parents. She is very flexible in her approach and hours of working. The childminder shares all her policies and procedures with the parents and has introduced learning journals which parents and carers can view at any time to support their child's learning and development. The childminder works very effectively with other practitioners to support children's transition into pre-school and school. Information is successfully shared with others delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYES) regarding children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the EYES. She has introduced a system for assessments and observations of children's development under the six areas of learning. She plans a balance of adult directed and child led activities. Starting points are clearly identified with parents when children join the setting, which forms a baseline to identify appropriate next steps in learning for individual children. They are encouraged to develop their independence as they make their own choices and decisions in the enabling environment. Children have the opportunity to use programmable toys and information technology equipment. They confidently use writing materials and tools in art and craft activities. They are proud of their calendars they are currently engaged in completing for their families, which contain photographs of their immediate and extended family.

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and outcomes for children

Children's differences are recognised and valued. They are not stereotyped and the childminder clearly understands that the learning styles of girls and boys differ. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. The childminder knows children well and has a good understanding of children's likes, dislikes and capabilities. She skilfully develops children's early language and communication as she asks open ended questions to encourage them to become independent thinkers. As a result, informal learning opportunities are maximised and children are offered appropriate challenges throughout the day to extend their knowledge and learning. For example, children delve into the neatly placed clothes in the dressing up box and show good independence as they put on princess dresses then changing into different clothes to become another character, becoming a

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and outcomes for children

nurse and using the wheelchair for the dollies with poorly legs.

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and outcomes for children

Children share warm relationships with the childminder and are well behaved. They understand and respect house rules and follow clear boundaries as they follow the childminder’s calm, consistent and respectful example. Good attention is given to developing children's knowledge and understanding of the world. They are currently looking at the community which helps them understand differences in cultures and religion. They take part in Diwali the festival of light, they make lanterns, light candles and complete pictures. Children are encouraged to consider their environment as they grow seeds and plants, such as pumpkins for Halloween. They enjoy many interesting outings in the immediate and surrounding area with regular visits to other child orientated activities.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from being cared for in a home which is clean, warm and well maintained. Individual routines are recognised and respected. For example, information about the child's day is shared with parents to promote good continuity of care. Stringent hygiene routines are followed to ensure children's good health. Children are reminded of the importance of washing their hands after using the toilet. Children enjoy outside play as the childminder clearly recognises the importance of this. The outdoor area and visits to the local park support children's physical development. Children enjoy snacks, which are provided by the childminder and are healthy. Menus are devised in consultation with children and parents to take account of likes, dislikes and dietary needs. Drinking water is freely available to ensure that children remain hydrated throughout the day. Close attention is paid to raising children's awareness of personal safety. They practise

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and outcomes for children

emergency evacuation procedures on a regular basis. They are made aware of the potential dangers of the road. They are encouraged to tidy up after activities, understanding that it prevents accidents. Through stories and activities, children are learning to take responsibility for their own actions. 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 2 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 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 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

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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: 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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