Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY224895 Inspection date 06 February 2006 Inspector Suzette Butcher

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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 outstanding. 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 was re-registered in 2002. She lives with her husband and two sons aged 7 and 14 years in Boughton, Chester. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house, first floor bedroom and bathroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder currently has 12 children on roll, of whom, 8 are under 8 years. She minds 4 children under 5 and 8 children out of school on a part-time basis. Children are taken and collected from local schools and taken on walks and outings in the local area. The family has 3 dogs, 2 rabbits and 2 guinea pigs. The childminder is a

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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 member of the National Childminding Association and Chester Childminder Association.

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is outstanding. Children gain a very high level of understanding of the purpose of good hygiene practices as they learn to follow clear routines. Pictures above the wash basin regularly remind children to wash their hands after toileting. They are involved in projects about germs on their hands which emphasises why they must clean their hands after toileting or playing with animals. Each child has access to their own flannel, towel and toothbrush in a bag in the cloakroom. Children skilfully clean their teeth after eating and are reminded about tooth decay when they examine a set of teeth and look at the cavities. Children are skilfully encouraged to develop independence in all their self-help skills as they are offered excellent support when they gradually accept responsibility for their own personal care. Highly effective hygiene practices are followed to reduce the risks of cross-contamination and

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Helping children to be healthy

infections for children. Robust procedures are in place to ensure that all the animals in the home are safe to be in the proximity of children and do not present a health risk. Children learn to respect the animals' boundaries and develop sensitivity towards their individual needs and behaviours. Children thoroughly enjoy helping to care for the animals under the childminder's conscientious supervision. The childminder is extremely vigilant when children with allergies are present. Clear procedures are in place to guide parents in the event of sickness which maintains a healthy environment. Every child learns about the benefits of a healthy diet when the childminder involves them in shopping trips where they are given photographs of healthy items to find on the shelves. Songs and stories such as 'There was an old woman who swallowed a fly' introduce discussion on healthy eating. Children enjoy watching the cress they

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Helping children to be healthy

have planted grow and they help to plant seeds and cultivate vegetables together. Children's knowledge and understanding is consolidated when they help to prepare meals, chat about foods which are good for them or read stories together. The childminder has an excellent understanding of healthy eating and provides the children with nourishing, healthy meals, with menus available for parents. Children's dietary requirements are recorded and taken into account at all times. Drinks are freely available throughout the day and older children help themselves to fresh drinking water in the kitchen. Children thoroughly enjoy sitting together with the childminder for snack and mealtimes where they chat happily in a very sociable setting. Children enjoy an excellent range of activities to develop their physical abilities and promote their healthy life style. They learn to value and understand the benefits of regular exercise as the childminder explains how keeping fit keeps you healthy and

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Helping children to be healthy

encourages them to join in energetic walks each day. Children across the age range gain confidence and move with more control as they learn to use their bodies in different ways. They enjoy playing table tennis indoors together or test out their skills

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Helping children to be healthy

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 on large apparatus in the park. Fine motor skills are developed when young children explore different tactile materials such as sand, play bark or soft textures and materials. Magnetic drawing boards and colourful pens encourage children to create shapes and form letters.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is outstanding. Children are cared for in a very well organised and welcoming environment where they are safe and secure. They develop a very strong sense of belonging in the childminder's home as they are surrounded by inviting opportunities and attractive displays of their colourful artwork and photographs. Children confidently select items from the extensive range of safe, clean and good quality toys and resources around the play areas. Equipment is very efficiently stored and organised in clear labelled plastic boxes, large home-made bags or on open shelving where children can help themselves or ask for items they know are available. Many resources such as tables or moulded units are multi-functional and easily stored away to make more space for children's play. Children learn more about their environment as they recycle items such as food containers or packaging to make models. Natural materials such as

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

leaves, shells or straw are collected and used to create a beach or homes for 'The Three Little Pigs'. The childminder carefully examines resources each month and completes a checklist to ensure they are safe for the children to use. Children benefit from additional resources and opportunities when the childminder takes them to the library to use their own library card to change their selection of books. Equipment and resources are circulated around the childminder network to provide further exciting opportunities. Every child is kept exceptionally safe due to the childminder's ability to complete thorough risk assessments and through her continual vigilance when supervising children. For example, the childminder always provides cards on outings with important information such as a photograph of the childminder with contact details. Children learn about keeping themselves safe when out in the community as they

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

follow the Green Cross Code. This is reinforced in road safety projects, stories and art work. Children learn about keeping themselves safe in the home when they consider and write their own set of safety rules. Regular fire practises provide an opportunity for each child to take their turn to organise everyone else. This enables children to develop a full understanding of the procedures as they review and evaluate the outcomes. Details are accurately recorded and issues discussed and resolved together.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are very well protected and their welfare is effectively safeguarded because the childminder has extensive documentation in place. A detailed file contains all the necessary information with relevant contact details accessible. The childminder has a very good understanding of child protection issues and procedures as she attends training to increase and update her knowledge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

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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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Younger children benefit from the childminder's excellent knowledge and appreciation of the Birth to three matters framework. This is enhanced by her thorough understanding of the principles that underpin effective early years practice and her knowledge and experience of the Foundation Stage curriculum. The childminder conscientiously develops excellent, well-thought through activity plans that create imaginative and innovative opportunities for children. Activities are purposeful and developmentally appropriate for each individual. Outcomes are reviewed and evaluated to inform and adapt future planning. Consequently, children are highly motivated to learn because they are engrossed in exciting and challenging opportunities. This enables them to make excellent progress in all areas of their development. Appropriate observations and assessments are recorded for younger children in 'Tracker' books that are linked to Birth to three matters areas. This is

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

shared with the parents and enables the childminder to build on what children already know and can do to provide the next small steps in learning for each child. As a result, children develop a positive attitude and disposition to learn more. Children relish opportunities to investigate and explore new areas in themes and topics such as 'travel' or 'animals'. They confidently experiment and make connections between different areas of learning because themes extend across every area of learning. Travel leads to wheels, rockets, airports or pirate ships with colourful paintings, stories, songs and imaginative role play on a trip to outer space. Children make their own decisions and their individual interests are developed in creative ways. They offer ideas and respond to challenges with great enthusiasm. For example, children become absorbed and fascinated when watching a man lifting a skip onto a lorry. Questions and discussions lead to problem solving in a practical

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

way when they recreate the experience in making a working model together under the childminder's discreet guidance. Every child takes part in the cutting, fixing or sticking in an effective team approach. Informal opportunities are skilfully maximised to introduce, extend and reinforce children's learning throughout the day. Young children are encouraged and praised as they proudly count their hands and feet when they learn to put on an apron to paint. Size, shapes and prepositions are naturally introduced and developed in pretend play when 'teddy is too big to go under the little chair' but happily sits on it. Comparisons are made and similarities acknowledged when colours match or dolls have smiling or sad faces. Children are given time to plan and develop their own games as the childminder is aware of when to step back and when to encourage and extend children's learning. Communication skills are given a high priority and young children happily chatter and

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

engage in conversations with adults. Children are confident and have good self-esteem because the childminder listens carefully to what they have to say and responds appropriately. Non-verbal communication is developed in using signs, gestures and facial expressions with Pip, the puppet involved as a dramatic role model. Younger children become absorbed and demonstrate their caring nature when they gently look after their baby and share experiences with the childminder.

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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 Children's language and understanding is skilfully encouraged and extended with new words and concepts introduced in play situations. Songs and stories provide further opportunities to develop language and ideas and the childminder has made her own story sacks to create exciting discoveries and respond to individual children's interests. Children choose from a nursery rhyme bag and learn to make simple calculations as they sing '10 in a bed' or '5 little ducks'. Rhyme and rhythm is explored in noisy music sessions on a nearby field when children march and dance as they experiment with different instruments. Children learn about the natural world and about their environment as they discover and care for a collection of snails, slugs and worms in a wormery. Children enjoy

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

travelling on buses or trains when they go on exciting outings to the zoo, nearby museums or forests.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Every child is very warmly welcomed and actively included by the childminder. They have excellent opportunities to learn about themselves and the wider world. Children have free access in everyday play activities to high quality resources that reflect a very wide range of positive images of society. An exemplary collection of themed resources provides further exciting opportunities for children to learn about different cultures and beliefs. Children examine and experiment with newspapers, books, clothes, different utensils and other artefacts from Turkey, Egypt, India or China. They track an aeroplane's flight path and excitedly find countries on a map or globe. They read vibrant stories about different beliefs and play musical instruments from different cultures. As a result, children develop an excellent and fully rounded awareness of ethnic diversity. Children with additional needs are actively involved in an inclusive environment. The

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder works closely with parents and relevant professionals to enable her to effectively support individual children. For example, children settle happily into their new school due to the childminder's sensitive, caring approach. Extra resources and adapted activities ensure that children who are left-handed successfully achieve all their goals. Children develop a strong awareness and sense of empathy when positive images of disability are introduced in innovative ways. Children are helped to understand what it is like to have vision or hearing problems when they chat with a visitor who is deaf, learn some sign language or share a story about Braille. This is reinforced in challenging practical experiences as children guide their blindfolded friends around the garden or watch their favourite programme on television without the sound. The children's behaviour is exemplary. They are well behaved because they are

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Helping children make a positive contribution

inspired and interested by all the activities offered. They respect and emulate the childminder's calm, firm, consistent approach and respond positively to her enthusiastic praise and encouragement. Children understand what is expected of them because there are a few simple rules with clear and realistic boundaries. These are based on safety for children rather than on convenience. Children are skilfully

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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 encouraged to understand the consequences of their actions as they explore emotions and learn to relate effectively with others. Pip, a life-size puppet, is a popular member of the group and plays a key role in discussions about feelings and exploring different behaviours. There is an excellent partnership with parents which promotes very good continuity of care for children. A comprehensive information pack and detailed records ensures that all relevant information is shared. Parents are fully informed of their child's day through informal chats, a daily diary and regular reviews to discuss any possible changes to the children's care needs. An attractive portfolio of photographs, children's work and general progress is collated for each child and given to parents when the child leaves. Parents of pre-school children are involved in discussion

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Helping children make a positive contribution

about their child's individual assessment record. Parents' views are actively sought because their opinions are valued and acknowledged at all times. The childminder is very aware and flexible to the needs of working parents as she will endeavour to provide continuity of care for school holidays for older children. Parents comment that they are 'completely happy' with the quality of care provided.

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Organisation

The organisation is outstanding. The childminder is fully committed to continuing her own professional development to support children as she continually reflects, monitors and improves her excellent childcare practice. She regularly attends training on subjects such as Birth to three matters, storytelling and behaviour management to increase and update her knowledge. She is nearing completion of the Quality First accredited quality assurance award and is studying for a level three early years qualification. The childminder is a member of the Cheshire Childminding Association where she is actively involved in the support and information sharing network. She also has a very valuable mentoring role where she supports a small group of childminders as she disseminates and shares her exemplary practice. The childminder continually and rigorously monitors and evaluates her own practice which enables her to skilfully accept change as she maintains her high standards.

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Organisation

Policies and procedures are reviewed and amended annually and the childminder encourages parents to write their positive and negative opinions to effectively meet their childcare needs. The childminder is exceptionally well organised. She keeps high quality, well organised records to share information with parents and safeguard children. Systems have recently been introduced to link children's learning to the Birth to three matters framework to provide a valuable record of young children's progress. Daily routines are successfully planned in advance with flexibility for changes in the weather and to meet the interests of individual children. A very effective weekly timetable ensures that everything runs smoothly as children are taken and collected from local schools and nurseries. She makes excellent use of local facilities such as libraries or parks and children have fun participating in noisy, active music sessions in a nearby field. Children thoroughly enjoy well-planned

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Organisation

outings to the zoo, museums or Delamere Forest in school holidays. Overall the provision meets the needs of the children who attend very well.

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Organisation

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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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder agreed to obtain prior signed parental consent for outings and for emergency medical treatment. The childminder has reviewed her procedures to include both parental consents to improve the overall safety for minded children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There are no complaints to report. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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 outstanding. 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

No recommendations for improvement are made because the quality and standards of care are outstanding.

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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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