Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY224895 Inspection date 29/09/2009 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 2002. She lives with her husband and one adult child and one child aged 11 years old in Boughton, Chester. 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 at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding seven children in this age group. She also offers care to children over five to 11 years old. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Registers.

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Description of the childminding

The family has two dogs, two rabbits and two guinea pigs.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has completed required basic childminding training. She holds relevant child care qualifications to include EYFS NVQ level 3, plus numerous other qualifications and the NCMA Quality First Assurance. She is a member of the childminding network and meets with other childminders on a regular weekly basis. She liaises with the local nursery and schools.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding. The childminder is very professional and aspires to maintain the highest possible standards of care and education. Children's welfare needs are rigorously safeguarded. The childminder's highly stimulating and challenging environment enables children to develop independent, active learning as they have fun. Children make excellent progress within their individual learning journey, which is imaginatively shared through excellent partnerships with parents and some other providers within the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Through excellent self evaluation the childminder highlights areas for improvement to include, continuing to promote effective contact and interaction with other carers. Children are valued as unique individuals and a strong inclusive ethos threads through all aspects of the setting.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 continue to promote effective contact and interaction with other carers to further develop positive partnerships. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly committed towards providing the very best quality of care and education for children. Her energy, enthusiasm and strong principled educational vision help her to achieve exceptionally high standards. She is highly motivated to continue her own professional development through attending many courses leading to further qualifications. The childminder is keen to share best practice with other practitioners and within the local network where she supports colleagues and works collaboratively with them. She researches issues to find the best possible solution and reflects on her practice. Key areas for improvement are identified in her self-evaluation document and these are implemented and other areas identified. Clear action plan for the future prioritises areas for improvement. She is currently focusing on communication and liaison with a local nursery to share information about a child who is new to the setting. The childminder's

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the early years provision

exemplary organisation is focused on the needs of individual children and creates a very friendly family environment where children are at the heart of everything that happens. Children's welfare needs are consistently and rigorously safeguarded through comprehensive documentation and effective procedures. Robust risk assessments are recorded and reviewed on a regular basis to fully protect children.

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the early years provision

Diversity is actively promoted and different cultures are valued and reflected in children's play and learning. This creates a fully inclusive environment where every child is valued highly as a unique individual. The childminder works in close partnership with parents and schools to support children with difficulties. Parents' opinions are highly valued and they all praise the childminder in written comments, such as 'it feels like a great substitute for a family', ' the children love the different toys', 'children like the pets', and 'she is outstanding'. A wealth of different communication systems create a very effective two-way flow of information and involve parents and carers in their child's continuous learning and development. Monthly planning documents outline planned activities. Parent questionnaires invite parents to contribute, and progress reviews are recorded and shared at significant

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the early years provision

milestones. Strong partnerships are established with parents and other providers within the EYFS, to support children's individual needs and provide continuity of learning and care. For example, the childminder supports children's school experiences by continuing and extending activities in her home.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a very strong sense of ownership and belonging in the setting where they enjoy warm, supportive relationships with the childminder. The excellent organisation of the home creates an exemplary enabling environment, where children eagerly move freely between indoor and outdoor areas. Equipment is of a very high quality and is stored imaginatively to enable children to make choices about their own play and develop active learning. Play areas are organised to provide enticing, stimulating opportunities for children across the age ranges. Outdoors, children have fun making art and craft items which are hung on the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 fence, use the play house for role play and have opportunities to extend their physical capabilities.

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and outcomes for children

Inspiring displays throughout the home provide a wealth of information for parents and numerous visual references of letters, numbers or emotions for children. Many activities and resources support children's understanding of diversity, and encourage them to learn to value different aspects of their own and other people's lives. Visits from relatives help children to understand sign language for communication in the inclusive setting.

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and outcomes for children

Young children rapidly develop independence in their self-help skills as they learn to manage their own personal care in the accessible toilet. An exemplary mix of planned, structured activities with time for free play, both in and out of the home, provides an excellent balance of adult-led and child-initiated opportunities. Opportunities to socialise, join in with group activities and explore different challenges are provided through visits to toddler groups, activity sessions and outings to places of interest. Children develop an excellent knowledge and understanding of the world around them as they explore the natural world on outings and in the garden. The children's enthusiasm, along with the childminder's ability to extend their learning through challenging and exciting activities, allows them to develop good habits of independent and inquisitive learners.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's excellent knowledge and understanding of the underlying principles of the EYFS, creates a very firm foundation for children as they follow their individual learning journey and make the very best of their abilities and talents. The childminder has great respect and high aspirations for each child and this supports and encourages everyone to make extremely good progress towards the early learning goals. Starting points are clearly established as a baseline in discussion with parents. Comprehensive observation and assessment procedures monitor children's achievements with numerous documents to track and record children's progress. Children's key strengths and their next steps in learning that require more support are identified and used effectively to inform future planning. Parents' comments are included in their child's profile and a progress record is completed and shared. The childminder skilfully responds to children's interests

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and outcomes for children

and develops imaginative planning to extend their experiences and learning. Role play activities develop ideas as they take their babies for a walk in their pushchairs. Children's fascination with the alphabet bags as they select a letter and explore the contents. Informal learning opportunities are consistently maximised during play and everyday activities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder sets high standards to safeguard children and encourages them to recognise potential risks and hazards, as they learn how to keep themselves safe. Children learn to consider road safety when out walking, they practise the procedure for evacuating the premises in an emergency and to meet at the fire sign displayed outdoors. Children learn to make a positive contribution to their community by using and contributing to their local resources. Young children learn to share and take turns and develop respect for other people, animals and plants to treat them how they would like to be treated themselves. Children's good health is promoted through stringent procedures to prevent the spread of infection. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Health and well-being is an integral part of everything with a healthy lifestyle strongly promoted. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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