Childminder in Cheshire EastOfsted inspection, 13 Oct 2009

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY335933 Inspection date 13/10/2009 Inspector Maxine Williams

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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 registered in 2006. She lives with her husband and children in Crewe, Cheshire. The downstairs of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children at any one time. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder currently has two children under five years on roll, both who attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also cares for two children over the age of five. She walks to local schools to take and collect children and attends local toddler groups.

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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, children’s individuality is recognised and nurtured exceptionally well by the childminder, who has a secure knowledge of their home and family circumstances, individual needs, interests and abilities. The childminder ensures that all policies and procedures are implemented effectively and fully meet requirements. All children benefit from the developmentally suitable, high quality range of activities and play opportunities provided and from the enthusiastic and affectionate support they receive from the motivated and ambitious childminder. The childminder has implemented effective methods of planning and observation, meaning that children are actively encouraged to progress to a high standard in their learning and development. She has attended a wide range of courses to enhance her understanding of how children learn and develop, and is committed to further extending her knowledge and maintaining continuous improvement. The

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

childminder works extremely well with parents and other settings to ensure children receive the support they need and are able to reach their full potential.

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further?

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

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further?

 further improve the planning for and assessments of children's progress by ensuring that next steps in learning are linked to activities to help each child’s continuing development towards the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Children’s care and learning is exceptionally well promoted because the childminder is motivated and extremely attentive to children. She continuously adapts her practice to children’s interests and abilities, to ensure they flourish and are able to fully participate in the extensive range of exciting and appealing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 activities. The childminder has a secure understanding of the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures. She fully understands her responsibilities to safeguard children’s welfare and is committed to protecting children from harm and neglect. Successful and supportive relationships with parents and a constant exchange of information help to ensure that children are well-protected and able to thrive. The childminder ensures that all potential hazards are minimised and has conducted a thorough risk assessment of the premises. All required documentation is

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the early years provision

exceptionally well-maintained. The childminder is dynamic in ensuring that routines and children’s individual interests are utilised to fully support and promote children’s learning. Space and resources are used exceptionally well to promote children’s learning, development and enjoyment of their time in the setting. The childminder is versatile in meeting the needs of parents and manages her time extremely effectively, continuously interacting with children in order to support their learning.

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the early years provision

Parents are kept very well-informed about the service the childminder provides through a variety of means. When children start to attend the setting, parents are provided with a welcome pack detailing the childminding service. Observation and assessment folders are maintained for each child, with pictures of them taking part in the available activities and reports on how children are progressing. These are always available and parents are encouraged to contribute to their children’s learning and development records. The childminder talks to parents each day to ensure they are kept updated about any new developments, she values the role of parents, encouraging them to share what they know about their child. Parents’ views and suggestions are welcomed and the childminder works in partnership with parents to ensure that her service is successful in meeting children’s individual needs. The childminder works well in partnership with other settings providing for

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the early years provision

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, she completes documentation for children starting to attend other settings, in order to ensure continuity in children’s care and education. She is proactive in maintaining an ongoing exchange of information with other providers, to ensure that stability is maintained and children have a well rounded learning and development experience.

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the early years provision

The childminder displays an exceptionally positive attitude towards providing an inclusive environment for all children who attend the setting and in making the provision accessible to children with special educational needs and/or disabilities. Children and their families are valued and appreciated by the childminder, who is committed to ensuring that all children have opportunities to develop to their full potential. A variety of activities and resources are utilised to promote children’s understanding of the wider world, which ensures they develop a positive attitude to diversity. The childminder has taken significant steps to improve her practice, recognising her strengths and monitoring her childminding business, to ensure that any weaknesses are identified promptly and targeted for improvement. Children and parents are invited to contribute to the evaluation of the setting and the childminder listens to their views in order to further improve practice. For example,

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the early years provision

children’s coat hooks have been moved to ensure that all children can reach them. Overall, children are progressing exceptionally well in relation to their starting points. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

Children are secure and thoroughly enjoy the time they spend in the childminder’s care. Their early language skills are developing exceptionally well, for example, three-year-old children are eager to talk about what activities they participate in, confidently taking out brochures and development files and explaining enthusiastically the range of exciting games they play. All children are able to independently access a wide range of toys, equipment and activities to help them make excellent progress in their communication, language and literacy. For example, singing ‘Row, row, row your boat', as they rock backwards and forwards with the childminder and predicting the words of the story, as the childminder reads them a book about a bear hunt. Imaginative play is regularly available and children enjoy using tools to practise their early mark-making skills, creating a wide range of artistic creations to represent their ideas and thoughts. The childminder is

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and outcomes for children

very committed and attentive to children, enthusiastically praising their efforts and proudly displaying their pictures and paintings, ensuring that children feel highly valued.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from the well-organised, extremely safe environment. They confidently choose from the wide range of inspiring resources and develop a sense of responsibility as they assist the childminder in tidying away toys when they have finished playing with them. The childminder implements clear and consistent boundaries and has high expectations of children's behaviour. As a result, children know what is expected of them and they display exceptionally positive behaviour, interacting remarkably well with each other and adults. Children's self-confidence and sense of worth is developed extremely well with the use of constant encouragement and praise during their play. They demonstrate good problem solving and imaginative skills as they stack blocks as high as they will go. When the blocks start to fall over, children rearrange them into a long shape on the floor, excitedly declaring that they have made a rocket. Physical skills are developing

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and outcomes for children

very well and all children have extensive opportunities to participate in outdoor play. There is a suitably equipped garden available for children, which is accessed on a daily basis, ensuring children have appropriate time to develop their physical skills and to extend increasing control over their movements. The long hall of the childminder’s house is used by younger children to develop their ability in ball games, two and three-year-old children are animated and engrossed as they take turns kicking balls to each other. Children benefit from regular trips to playgroups and soft play centres to help them develop their social and large motor skills further.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a thorough understanding of how to achieve a balance between freedom and setting safe limits. Children learn to keep themselves safe through conversations and daily routines, during which the childminder actively promotes their understanding of how to protect themselves from danger. For example, while making snacks the childminder explains to children about the sharp knife and that it would hurt children if they were to cut themselves. Children demonstrate an exceptional understanding and recognise the importance of good personal hygiene through established and well-organised daily routines. They This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 consistently wash their hands before meals and after using the toilet and are able to articulate that they do this because of germs. The childminder has a sound knowledge of healthy eating and good nutrition guidelines, which promotes

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and outcomes for children

children’s excellent understanding of healthy lifestyles. She takes account of the wishes of parents and the children’s preferences to provide a range of meals and snacks, which are freshly prepared, appetising and meet children’s nutritional needs.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel highly valued because the childminder sees them as individuals. She is attentive to children’s needs and treats them with affection at all times. She has implemented a well-developed system of planning for activities, in order to meet children’s development and learning needs. She also undertakes regular observations of children’s learning, to assess how children are progressing towards the early learning goals and to plan for each child’s next steps in learning. The next steps are not always linked to activities, in order to be clear how children’s progress will be promoted to the high standards that the childminder implements in her practice. However, the childminder is exceptionally competent in providing and adapting suitable activities to ensure that each child is enabled to reach their full potential.

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and outcomes for children

Children are encouraged to develop their skills for life as they participate in frequent conversation with the childminder, count simple objects and use problem solving skills in everyday play. For example, children assist the childminder in preparing snacks, three-year-olds are confident and articulate as they distribute the banana pieces, cheese and breadsticks out evenly, competently counting out the items and declaring that they are having a yellow food day. The two-year-old children are developing exceptional mathematical skills, being able to recognise numbers out of sequence and independently counting to 10, both forwards and backwards. Their understanding of the society in which they live is developed through frequent trips out and through conversation and stories. Children are encouraged to develop their respect for nature and the world around them, as they sow seeds, take care of them and watch them develop into plants. They

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and outcomes for children

delight in visiting a local sensory garden, where they explore touch, texture, smell and sound, listening carefully to the water trickling. Children’s understanding of diversity and difference is enhanced through celebrating festivals and taking part in a wide range of innovative and interesting activities. This ensures that children learn to value aspects of their own lives and the diverse society in which they live. 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 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 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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