Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY345369 Inspection date 23/11/2010 Inspector Sarah Rhodes

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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 assesses 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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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 was registered in 2006. She lives with her child aged seven years in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire. The whole ground floor of the childminder's house and one designated bedroom are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play and the family has a pet dog. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding three children in this age group. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is also registered to provide overnight care. The childminder collects children from the local school and goes to several toddler groups regularly. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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

The childminder is committed to providing a quality home-from-home service for the children. She has implemented the Early Years Foundation Stage and records children's development in a broad way. She knows the individual children well and supports them to develop into confident, social children with busy and inquisitive minds. Self-evaluation of her service is being developed as a tool for future improvement and she has plans for further development of the outside play space. A range of written policies has been produced which helps parents understand how the childminder operates.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop the use of self-evaluation as part of an ongoing internal review to inform planning of future improvements  consolidate the use of the learning journeys to enhance the monitoring of children's progress from their starting points towards all the aspects of the early learning goals.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded appropriately. The childminder undertakes risk assessments for both the premises and outings. She is aware of the need to be vigilant when on trips out and to adapt the environment to meet children's changing needs over time. For example, she plans ahead to put equipment in place to keep babies safe as they become mobile. Written risk assessments are available for outings and the premises in general. The childminder ensures that she This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 has an appropriate knowledge of child protection procedures, record keeping and her ultimate role in reporting concerns. Her policy is in line with the latest government guidelines and she has discussed this subject with local authority support workers. This helps to ensure children are protected from harm or neglect. The childminder has attended a wide range of courses to broaden her knowledge,

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the early years provision

for example, letters and sounds training and continues to identify areas where her knowledge could be improved through training. She has started a formal paper- based self-evaluation and is committed to developing the service she provides and using the Early Years Foundation Stage to support children's learning and development. She has implemented the changes recommended at her last inspection and all required paperwork is in place and well organised. The childminder places a strong emphasis on working in partnership with parents and other providers who work with the children in her care. She shares a large number of written policies with parents and they sign to acknowledge receiving them. Parents give all required written permissions. Children's Learning Journey files are shared with parents each term which updates them on the activities their child has undertaken and areas of learning covered. She liaises with other providers to

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the early years provision

ensure the activities she provides complement their provision. The childminder understands the needs of the individual children she cares for and has organised her home to allow children to access a range of appropriate high quality equipment. She provides separate areas for quiet play and relaxation and a dedicated play room space for activities such as craft work and role play. This allows for a range of interests and age groups to be accommodated successfully, ensuring that no child is disadvantaged and all children have their needs met appropriately. The childminder has experience of caring for children with learning disabilities. She has a clear understanding of the need to adapt activities to ensure inclusion of all children regardless of, for example, their abilities or gender.

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and outcomes for children

The provision for children's learning, development and welfare is good. The children benefit from a childminder who is well organised in the way she works with the children and confident in her caring abilities. She provides a stimulating range of activities both inside and outside the home, which gives the children a rewarding learning experience. Children's progress is recorded in personal Learning Journey files. These broadly show children's individual development through photographs and brief observations that are related to the Early Years Foundation Stage six areas of learning. The childminder makes note of the children's next steps in learning, this provides a picture of the activities children are involved in. However, this assessment system does not currently provide a way to easily monitor children's progress towards all the aspects of the different Early Learning Goals for children of their age and a way to follow up the next steps which are

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and outcomes for children

identified. Children experience activities that flow from their interests, for example, children practised their tricycle skills on the day of inspection. Warm relationships are formed between children as they play together and have an afternoon rest. This allows them to learn to help and support one another in their play and enjoy each others company. A constant stream of conversation and structured routine means that children are becoming confident communicators who This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 are very bright and happy with excellent self-esteem. The children are also encouraged to value books and enjoy mark-making to develop pencil control. Routine activities are used to extend children's learning, for example, counting leaves on the walk to school. Close links with the local community provide opportunities for children to meet up with larger groups and join in with fund

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and outcomes for children

raising for charity events. Children develop a healthy attitude to physical activity through walking to school each day and have access to larger equipment in the local parks, giving them opportunity to develop their balancing and climbing skills. Children's welfare is also promoted through the provision of very healthy diets. The childminder prepares fresh interesting meals for the children and they are enthusiastic about trying a range of fresh fruits. The menu is displayed for parents. Easy access to the toilet and clear procedures about both personal hygiene and hygiene of the home, ensure children enjoy a clean and healthy environment. Children are encouraged to learn to keep themselves safe through simple precautions such as crossing roads safely and local Police campaigns about stranger danger are reinforced in a sensitive way by the childminder. The childminder manages the children's behaviour in a positive way, praising the

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and outcomes for children

children, using distraction and ensuring they are clear about simple house rules. Children are making good progress in developing skills for the future and the move to school when the time comes. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

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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