Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number 304384 Inspection date 11 May 2005 Inspector Sarah Elizabeth Howell

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

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The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder lives with her husband and two children aged 18 and 11 years in Cranage, a short distance from the village of Holmes Chapel in Cheshire. The childminder is registered to care for six children; she currently cares for four children on a full and part time basis. Minded children have use of the lounge, kitchen and computer room on the ground floor, and one bedroom and toilet facilities on the first floor. An enclosed rear garden provides opportunities for outdoor play. The family do not have any pets.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The childminder is actively involved in the local childminder support group and attends several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is also a support worker for newly registered childminders in the area. She is able to collect children from Holmes Chapel primary, Cranage pre-school, Holmes Chapel pre-school and Goosetry Pre-school.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children of all ages enjoy a wide range of activities which contribute to their good health. Each day there are outdoor or indoor activities which help them develop their physical abilities and provide exercise. These include outside play, cycling, attending a "fit kids club", and dance and gym sessions. Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Older pre-school children are supported in developing good self care skills. Children are provided with a good range of healthy balanced lunches and evening meals which they enjoy and which promote their awareness of healthy eating. The childminder takes account of parents and the children's choices to ensure that meals appeal to children as well as meet their dietary needs.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children learn about safety from being very young. Older pre-school children can explain what " safety first" means to them. They are aware of various ways they can keep themselves safe including only using the trampoline when the childminder is present, and wearing their helmets when they ride their bikes. Parents commented that the childminder also helps children to keep themselves safe through developing their awareness of road safety. Children learn that respecting rules and boundaries also helps to keep them safe. Older school age children respect the childminder's rules about where they are allowed to ride their bikes, and in this way they are learning to safely manage a degree of independence appropriate to their ages. The childminder has all the required procedures and documents in place to ensure that children's welfare is safeguarded and promoted. She further keeps children safe

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

from harm by ensuring that they are only collected by known adults who have been introduced to her by the child's parent(s).

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 The provision is outstanding. Children settle well at the childminder's house. As a result they play independently and confidently developing their activities for sustained periods of time. Imaginary play is well resourced and promoted and children enjoy developing their ideas with the support and encouragement of the childminder. Children relate well with each other and with the childminder and other adults. They make good use of their language skills and listen and respond appropriately to others. They also learn to socialise with other children through regular attendance at toddler groups and are developing good social skills such as sharing, taking turns and respecting each others feelings. Opportunities for children to enjoy exercise and outdoor play are extensive. The

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

childminder recognises the value of physical activity for children of all ages and encourages and supports them as they try new experiences which engage their interest and challenge their developing abilities. Children of all ages enjoy exploring a wide range of activities which contribute to their creativity, and their skill development. These include: baking, art and craft activities, singing, dancing, playing musical instruments and developing their physical skills through outdoor play. The childminder effectively promotes and supports children's development and learning through her informed approach to providing play activities. She makes good use of training and other learning resources to develop ideas for play and learning. As a result children enjoy a wide range of varied activities and experiences; tailored to meet their developmental requirements, whilst providing high levels of enjoyment and fun.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children develop a clear understanding about the world around them, and how and why people differ from one another. An older pre-school child playing with a toy guide dog was able to explain who might use the dog and for what purpose. Resources which promote this understanding are varied and integrated into the range of materials children choose to play with. Children are valued and respected as individuals. Through close partnership with parents the childminder meets children's needs and respects each family's established patterns of care and upbringing. The childminder promotes their friendships with other children in the local community by planning for their friends to visit, and by ensuring that the children she cares for are able to participate in after school and community based activities. Children learn to show care and concern for one another. They develop a range of social skills which help them play well together

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Helping children make a positive contribution

and which will help them adapt to larger group settings such as pre-school and school.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 Behaviour is positively promoted in the childminder's home. Children behave well and have good manners. They receive positive affirmation from the childminder which helps them to develop confidence and good self esteem. Through being involved in individual and group decision making processes children are empowered and encouraged to feel in control of what happens to them. One child had been supported in making a complaint about faulty goods she had bought and took pride in explaining how she had expressed her feelings and got a result.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. Children enjoy the time they spend in the childminder's well organised home environment. They are confident to initiate and develop their play using the different areas available to them. Records, written permissions and procedures are used effectively to promote the welfare, care and learning of children. The childminder reviews these with parents at regular, agreed intervals when they can meet and discuss the child's progress in more detail. As a result the childminder is well informed and able to ensure consistency of care between her home and the child's. The childminder makes effective use of her time to develop her childcare practice and to meet the continuing needs of the children in her care. She plans ahead to attend training, which she enjoys and which directly informs the quality of care and the range of experiences provided for children. Children benefit from her

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Organisation

commitment, enthusiasm and dedication to provide high quality care and play experiences for them. Overall, the provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

Since the previous inspection, the childminder has increased children's awareness of the world around them and of how and why people differ. She has achieved this by providing more opportunities for children to play with a wide range of resources which promote a positive understanding of these differences. She also encourages children to value and respect these differences.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • Investigate the use of the Birth to Three Matters Framework to develop children's understanding of how they can keep themselves healthy.

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

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