Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY264024 Inspection date 11/02/2011 Inspector Sue Anslow

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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 2003. She lives with her husband and two children, aged 12 and 14 years, in Nantwich. Children have access to the ground floor only, with use of the upstairs bathroom if required. There are toilet facilities off the kitchen and an enclosed garden for outdoor activities.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any time, no more than three of whom 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 and is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and 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

Children enjoy their time with the childminder and make good progress in their learning and development. The range of activities, both indoors and outside, meet children's needs and offer individual care and support. Effective links with parents and others ensure children progress well in all aspects of the Early Years Foundation Stage. All children are welcome in the childminder's home and appropriate resources and activities help them appreciate the wider world around them. The childminder works hard to improve children's enjoyment and play experiences and is developing systems to evaluate her practice overall.

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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 process of self-evaluation in order to identify the settings strengths and areas requiring further improvement

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the early years provision

Children's safety and security are given high priority by the childminder who supervises closely and ensures good safety procedures are followed. Children are kept safe from harm or abuse by a vigilant childminder who ensures children are confident and learn strategies to keep themselves safe. Everything children come into contact with is fully risk assessed by the childminder, including walks to and from school. They practise evacuation procedures and road safety drills. The childminder keeps up to date with relevant advice and guidance through attending courses and workshops. She implemented the recommendation raised at the last This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 inspection and continues to develop her childminding service to suit the needs of the families. All children are valued equally and the childminder ensures individual needs are met and children learn to respect differences.

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the early years provision

Effective partnerships with parents are valued and promoted. During the settling in period, the childminder discusses children's interests and preferences. This helps her plan appropriate activities to stimulate and enhance each child's play experiences. Good communication links are in place and written policies and procedures inform and reassure parents of the childminder's commitment to good practice. The childminder is familiar with the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. She prioritises each child's individual requirements and makes regular observations of their development in all areas. Photographs are taken and the accompanying notes inform parents what their children are learning and how the childminder moves them on to the next stage when they are ready. The childminder develops good links with staff in the local school and nursery, in order to provide continuous provision in all areas of learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder enjoys helping children make progress in their learning and development, during the short time periods before and after school or nursery. Emphasis is on learning through play and having fun with their friends. The childminder mostly minds older school age children outside school hours, during term times only. She knows the children well and through observations and discussions she is able to plan interesting activities. A range of toys and play equipment is set out ready for children to choose what they would like to do and they are able to play actively or quietly as the mood takes them. A range of small world toys encourages children to use their imaginations to make up their own games and they love using the different art and craft materials to create pictures and models. A selection of sports equipment is available for active team games outside.

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and outcomes for children

Children learn about nature and the world around them through appropriate resources and discussions with the childminder about people who are different from themselves. They enjoy digging in the garden and helping the childminder plant flowers and vegetables. They celebrate different festivals throughout the year and enjoy making cards or book marks for each occasion. Children learn new skills and acquire knowledge through the many activities they play together. A variety of board games encourage children to count the spots on the dice, name the coloured squares or match the different letters, shapes and pictures. All areas of development are covered through the activities engaged in during the week. Children's health and welfare requirements are met well. They enjoy healthy snacks after school and have access to drinks on request. Good hygiene routines are encouraged and any sickness or injuries are managed well. Children behave

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and outcomes for children

well and respond to warm praise from the childminder. They learn to share and take turns and good manners are promoted and encouraged. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 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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