Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY338814 Inspection date 01/02/2011 Inspector Justine Ellaway

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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 husband and three children aged seven, twelve and fourteen years in Sandbach, Cheshire. The whole of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time. There are currently ten children on roll, five of whom are within the early years age range. The childminder enjoys a variety of activities each week, including the library, gym, nature walks and a Children's Centre. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant.

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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 make good progress in their learning and development as interaction is on the whole effective in supporting this. Good consideration is given to establishing effective partnerships with parents, carers and other settings that children attend to promote consistency of care for each child. Systems to evaluate and reflect are thorough and identify areas for improvement that benefit outcomes for children. Children's welfare is promoted due to the consistent implementation of effective policies and procedures.

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further?

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

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further?

 continue to develop the delivery of activities to cater for all children's individual needs.

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the early years provision

Systems to ensure children are safeguarded are suitably implemented. The written risk assessment documents contain relevant information both for the premises and when children go on different outings within the local community. The childminder has a suitable knowledge of what she would do if she has any concerns regarding child protection issues. All household members are known to Ofsted to enable appropriate checks to be undertaken.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a desire to provide high quality care for children who attend. She is thorough in her evaluation of her practice. She demonstrates a commitment to updating her knowledge and skills through training. She has This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 attended a wide variety of relevant training courses since the last inspection, for example, behaviour management and supporting speech and language. The childminder has identified some relevant areas for improvement, including the provision of additional resources to further develop children's imaginative play when outdoors.

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the early years provision

A good range of furniture is provided to promote children's independent access to the toys and resources. The childminder has a long low-level table, where toys and resources supporting all areas of learning are permanently displayed, so that children can keep coming back to them. Toys for younger children are also set out on the carpet so they can sit and explore them. Babies enjoy playing safely in their inflatable car, and also interact with older children.

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the early years provision

The childminder maintains a daily diary for each child, which contains good quality information about what they are doing. This is shared with parents and carers to promote consistency of care for each child. A useful folder of information is also shared, which includes details of the policies and procedures. The childminder gives parents the opportunity to feed back on her service as they regularly come in and discuss their child's development and the day's activities when picking up each day. Any suggestions are taken into account. Useful information is shared with and gathered from other settings that children attend, to promote continuity in their child's learning and development.

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and outcomes for children

Children make good progress in their learning and development. They are able to access a good range of outings within the local community, including a local farm, country parks, duck pond, library, beach, bus and train rides and mini-zoo which promotes their learning in different areas. They enjoy a weekly gym session where they are active and develop their physical skills. Planning also ensures there is a suitable balance of free-play opportunities and adult-led activities.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder maintains a useful record of what children can do, so she can quickly see where there are any gaps in their learning. However, on occasion, the childminder does not fully plan to include all children in every activity or plan an alternative activity to support their learning and development fully.

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and outcomes for children

Older children love to play outside in the garden and especially enjoy digging in the 'mud centre' where they hunt for buried treasure or worms. They are beginning to understand a sense of time, as they know which day of the week they do certain activities and what the routines of the day are. They understand why and when they wash their hands and clean themselves after they have eaten.

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and outcomes for children

Children use size language during play and are learning to count by rote. Their communication skills are effective as they chat during play. They listen enthusiastically to stories and talk about what is happening. Younger children are encouraged to engage in early mark making as they make patterns in a tray of oats. Children use their imagination as they play with the small world toys and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 make up games.

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and outcomes for children

Children of all ages show care and consideration for each other. They play well together and are beginning to resolve their own disagreements, without needing adult involvement. Clear and consistent methods are used to manage children's inappropriate behaviour to support their understanding of right and wrong. Children are well supported to learn about others through activities focusing on different festivals throughout the year and resources. They enjoy a story about children who are all different in one way or another and how they are all entitled to play together.

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and outcomes for children

Children demonstrate an understanding of how to keep themselves safe. They listen to instructions and are careful when playing around others. They demonstrate they feel secure and comfortable in the childminder's home. This feeling is positively promoted by the childminder as, for example, she sings a unique song to each child when it is their nap time. 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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