Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 304445 Inspection date 25/01/2011 Inspector Lindsay Dobson

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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 1995. She lives with her husband who is a registered assistant and family in a detached house in Little Neston, an area of the Wirral peninsular. The whole ground floor is used for childminding purposes and consists of a lounge with dining area, conservatory, kitchen and toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The house is within walking distance from schools, shops and local places of interest. The childminder takes children to local toddler groups and parks.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom three may be the early years age range. There are currently seven children on roll, of whom four are in the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder holds an NVQ level 3 and is a member of the local childminding group.

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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 needs are met well by the childminder through her good organisational skills and strong working relationships with their parents. Children are all included equally and their sense of belonging is promoted well through a reflection of each child as an individual within the home. Their learning is extensively monitored and promoted well in all areas. As a result, children are making very good progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder values the importance of continuous personal development and attends training to enhance her knowledge and extend her childminding service. Additionally, she evaluates and reflects on her practice well, therefore demonstrating a good capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure all policies and procedures are up-to-date and in line with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded well as the childminder has a secure knowledge of the possible signs of abuse and the procedures she would follow should she have concerns about children in her care. The childminder has completed safeguarding training to keep her knowledge of any changing legislation up-to-date. She has a This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safeguarding policy and good supporting documentation is available to the childminder and the parents. Children receive care in a home that is very safe and secure. The childminder carries out thorough risk assessments for her premises and for all outings she undertakes and has eliminated or minimised all hazards.

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the early years provision

Children are happy and settled as the childminder works very closely with their parents to ensure that she is fully informed about their families and their individual care needs. Parents receive copies of her policies and procedures before she begins minding so they are informed about the provision. However, some policies lack detail to ensure they give accurate information and follow current legislation. The childminder shares daily information with parents through discussion and, for the younger children, a daily log sheet is completed. Parents offer written comments about the high standards of care they feel the childminder provides enabling them to leave their children feeling secure. They praise the range and variety of activities and outings the childminder offers the children. Children who attend other Early Years Foundation Stage providers benefit from continuity of care and learning as the childminder works closely with them to exchange information

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the early years provision

about planning and children's personal development.

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the early years provision

Children are learning about diversity in the wider world and the local community through visits and activities that effectively promote gender, disability, ethnicity and culture. Children freely use resources, such as small world figures, books and puzzles. They also celebrate cultural festivals such as Chinese New Year and Diwali, linking in with celebrations at local play group and nursery. The childminder has enhanced her own knowledge since the last inspection as she has completed a level 3 childcare qualification and attended numerous other training courses. She makes good use of her self-evaluation document to ensure that she is constantly reviewing and developing all aspects of her practice.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a well-organised homely environment with space to play freely and to rest peacefully. They enjoy an excellent range of well-maintained and age appropriate activities which are easily accessible to promote independent play. Children's individual routines are incorporated within a balance of free-play and adult-led organised activities at home and within the local community. Children's learning and development is extremely effectively monitored and supported. The childminder ensures all experiences support children's interests and stages of development. She interacts to offer guidance, encouragement and to extend challenges as necessary. The childminder completes written observations of children. She links these to the areas of learning and identifies specific next steps in development which are effectively planned for. The childminder uses extensive photographic evidence to support her observations and parents have monthly

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and outcomes for children

opportunities to look at their child's learning journey and add their own comments. This also enables the parents to be clear about children's learning enabling them to continue this learning at home.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and settled in the childminder's care. They demonstrate a good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 sense of wellbeing through their confident and curious exploration of activities and clear knowledge of routines. The children's personal and emotional development is promoted well by the childminder. Children develop their independence by seeing to their own personal needs such as toileting and chopping up their own fruit at snack time. The children have good opportunities to develop their imaginations as they set up a picnic and invite the childminder and inspector. Role play resources are plentiful and the children enjoy acting out the role of the shopkeeper or the doctor. Children happily talk about heir own families as they play with the small figures and line up the family members and the different generations. Dressing-up resources allow the children to put on their own shows and concerts. Children sing

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and outcomes for children

and dance and enjoy having an audience to watch them perform. Opportunities for children to develop their knowledge and understanding of the world are plentiful. Children go on outings to the park where they look for bugs, insects and spiders using magnifying glasses. Whilst there, they collect leaves and foliage to make pictures. Children are taken on visits to the local farm and zoo where they learn about animals and their habitats. They also enjoy taking part in experiments. For example, children add vinegar to baking powder and food colouring and are thrilled as they see the mixture fizz up in the container. Children are involved within the local community through attending regular play sessions at the Children's Centre, toddler groups, indoor soft play centres and trips to the parks. They have opportunities to explore growth and change through planting and harvesting vegetables such as carrots, potatoes and beans. They are learning

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and outcomes for children

about recycling as they help the childminder to sort her household waste and re- use cartons and boxes to make models.

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and outcomes for children

Children feel safe and secure within the childminder's care which they demonstrate through the trusting relationships being established and their confident exploration. This is achieved through the childminder's good standards of safety and very good routines and procedures. As they develop, children learn about keeping safe through consistent house rules, road safety guidance when older and practising the fire evacuation procedure. Children are cared for within a clean and hygienic environment to promote their health. Their healthy lifestyles are supported well through the provision of fresh fruit snacks and well-balanced home cooked meals. They have many opportunities to develop their physical skills. For example, they play in the garden with a good range of bikes, slides, trampoline and they enjoy ball games. Children regularly go to the local parks where they extend their climbing and balancing skills on the larger, more advanced equipment.

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and outcomes for children

Children's behaviour is positively promoted by this caring and sensitive childminder. She encourages sharing, turn taking and children develop respect for themselves and the views of others. Positive praise is consistently given to the children and good behaviour further rewarded with the use of stickers. 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 1 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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