Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 304500 Inspection date 09/02/2010 Inspector Kathryn Mary Harding

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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 has been registered since 1995. She lives with her husband and two children in a house close to Crewe Town Centre. The whole of the ground floor and upstairs bathroom are used for childminding. The property is accessed via one step into the house. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The family has a pet dog.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register to care for up to five children under eight years. She is presently caring for three children in the early years age range. She attends toddler groups and meets on a regular basis with other childminders. She holds an NVQ Level 3 in Child Care and Education and Development.

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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's individual uniqueness is recognised and nurtured by the committed childminder who has a good knowledge of each child's character, so children make good progress towards the early learning goals. She actively promotes an inclusive environment and children are beginning to develop an awareness of diversity. She has a good partnership with parents and understands the benefits of partnerships in the wider context. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement but as yet, systems to identify strengths and areas for development are in the early stages.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop further the assessment system in order to clearly indicate how individual children's progression is used to inform planning and identify the next steps in their development  develop the process for evaluating the quality of the provision in order to clearly identify strengths and areas for future development, thereby improving outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding and knowledge of safeguarding procedures and ensures all members of the household are adequately vetted. She has attended training on safeguarding issues and has a safeguarding policy which she shares with parents to ensure everyone is aware of her duty to protect the children in her care. The childminder is vigilant and places high priority on children's safety. Written daily and weekly risk assessments are undertaken which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 include the childminder's home, garden and outings. This helps to keep children safe and ensure effective actions are taken to manage and eliminate risks.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage and implements this effectively to promote successful outcomes for children. The childminder observes children's progress in individual profiles, using photographs to illustrate each area of learning. However, this system does not show the next steps or how these can be effectively planned for to ensure continued progression. She creates a warm, welcoming, homely environment where resources and toys are accessible for children, helping them to become independent learners.

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the early years provision

The children enjoy continuity of care because the childminder works very closely with parents. She encourages a two-way flow of information between her and the parents and encourages them to view the children's profiles showing photographs of the activities they have been involved in. She provides them with a daily diary and shares the children's achievements with them. Younger children's routines are outlined by parents and the childminder ensures these are followed and respected. The childminder has sought parents' evaluation of the service provided through use of questionnaires. One parental comment stated that 'The children have been coming a long time and have fun, eat well and are very settled.'

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the early years provision

The childminder has started to evaluate her practice, although this is in the early stages. Through discussion she shows she is committed to improvement as she wants to discover new ideas and ways of working. She accesses some training opportunities and obtains support and advise from other practitioners and development workers.

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and outcomes for children

When children arrive they enter the setting confidently and settle quickly. They are very much at home in the appropriately organised home. Children learn how to keep themselves safe as they practise fire drills and they explain the importance of holding onto the buggy to ensure they do not slip in the snow. They develop a good understanding of the importance of healthy eating as they eat nutritious snacks which they choose. They talk about healthy and unhealthy foods so helping them to make healthy choices. They benefit from plenty of fresh air and exercise as they go outdoors daily and walk to the park. They develop a good understanding of the importance of good personal hygiene as they are supported to wash their hands before eating and talk about the importance of hand washing and germs.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder interacts very well with children during their play and offers them choices of activities and listens to their requests. She constantly chatters to them, so modelling language effectively to encourage development of communication skills. They freely approach the childminder for cuddles and reassurance and confidently tell her that their completed picture can go on her wall. A s they look at books she asks questions about the story and encourages the children to stretch and coil like the caterpillars. They learn to count as they count the shapes into the This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 shape sorters and sing 'One, Two, Three, Four, Five'. The childminder encourages older children to talk about their families, as they talk about who can go to their party. As they choose their plates for snack they talk about colours. They freely decide what colour crepe paper they want to use as they glue and stick their

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and outcomes for children

picture. Younger children spontaneously dance to the background music.

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and outcomes for children

Children's understanding of right and wrong is increased as they encouraged to be kind to each other and share the musical toys. Good manners are encouraged, so encouraging the children to be polite. The childminder offers the children activities that promote co-operation and turn-taking. Children learn to value and respect others as they use a range of resources such as dolls and role play which help them to begin to understand about the wider world. 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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