Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY225431 Inspection date 07/03/2011 Inspector Susan Elaine Heap

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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 three children aged 11, 15 and 17 years in the Rudheath area of Northwich, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. Her husband occasionally works as an assistant childminder. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years at any one time, no more than three of whom may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding one child in this age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and goes to several toddler groups regularly. The family have a pet house rabbit. The childminder is a qualified Nursery Nurse (NNEB).

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are making good progress because the childminder has a secure knowledge of each child's individual needs and interests. Good consideration is given to children's health and welfare at all times. Most aspects of safety and record-keeping are sound. Very positive relationships are built up with parents which ensure consistency and continuity of care. The childminder works in partnership with other settings that children may attend when necessary. The childminder has a sound understanding of her own individual strengths and weaknesses and strives to improve her daily practice and the outcomes for children.

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further?

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

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further?

 improve knowledge of who to contact with regard to safeguarding procedures  practise regular fire-evacuation drills and record the details in a fire logbook of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  improve the record of children's attendance by recording children's hours of arrival and departure on a daily basis. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

The childminder is suitably trained in safeguarding procedures and written policies for safeguarding are in line with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. All adults over the age of 16 have completed the required vetting procedures. However, sometimes the childminder is unsure of who to contact should she have a concern about a child in her care. Fire drills are not regularly practised or recorded. This means that children do not effectively learn what to do in an emergency. Risk assessments for the home and outings are in place. These successfully identify dangers and the appropriate steps to take to eliminate risk and keep children safe and secure.

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the early years provision

The childminder has successfully completed recommendations raised at the last inspection to improve her record-keeping. These have improved partnership working with parents and children's care and welfare. For example, written parental consent is now in place for taking photographs of children and the childminder has reviewed her exclusion procedures for when children are ill. Records of children's attendance are kept but these are not recorded on a daily basis. This means that they are not always accurate or up-to-date. Self-evaluation systems to drive further improvement are in the early stages of development. Space, time and resources are organised well to meet children's individual needs and to ensure they access a range of activities both within the home and in the local and wider community.

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the early years provision

The childminder works extremely closely in partnership with parents and grandparents, sharing children's progress both verbally and via text messaging. This ensures that parents are well-informed about their child's daily routine and activities. The childminder is very supportive and sensitive to parents needs. She helps parents to support their children's learning and all-round development through consistently giving positive support and guidance, such as taking children for their immunisations when necessary. These contribute well to children's ongoing progress, care and welfare. Parents and carers comment positively on the good quality care and support offered to them and their children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder recognises the uniqueness of each child. As a result, children enjoy a good range of activities which promote their health and well-being. Younger children particularly benefit from consistent routines, such as time to eat, relax and play, which develops their sense of belonging. The childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of healthy eating. She successfully provides healthy, nutritious snacks to support children's daily diet. Children particularly enjoy fresh fruit, such as grapes or trying watermelon for the first time. The childminder ensures children benefit from fresh air and exercise on a daily basis, either on their walks in the local community to the park to feed the ducks or visits to the local farm. They are able to access a good range of physical equipment in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 the garden, such as slides, swings, wheeled toys and a trampoline. All these aid

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and outcomes for children

their physical development and develop their knowledge of the local and wider community.

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and outcomes for children

Children are cared for in a homely, welcoming environment. Toys and equipment are stored at a low level in a large wicker basket to enable children to make choices in their play. Their efforts and achievements are recognised and they are regularly praised which develops their self-esteem and confidence. Through her observations and assessments of children's play, the childminder successfully identifies the next steps in each child's learning and development, for example, planning activities to develop children's physical skills and balance when they are learning to walk. These are recorded in their own books along with photographs of their play which give a pictorial record of their development. She uses toddler groups regularly to extend children's play, learning and social skills. The childminder supports children at their level, giving good eye contact at all times and repeating words and sounds to help develop their emerging language. She

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and outcomes for children

asks open-ended questions to challenge their thinking, such as when completing a jigsaw. Children enjoy exploring a range of push-button toys or digital camera which develops their understanding of technology and how things work. Photographs show them engaged in creative activities, such as painting or gluing. They have good opportunities to develop their imaginations as they enjoy dressing up and climbing in and out of a large cardboard box.

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and outcomes for children

Children show that they feel safe and are confident in their surroundings. They actively seek reassurance from the childminder and snuggle into her on waking or when a visitor is present. They follow simple instructions to keep themselves safe, such as being reminded not to climb in the doll's buggy. They learn to respect and value the individual needs of others through their discussions and activities and the positive role-modelling of the childminder. Negative behaviour is challenged and explanations are given as to why some people need additional support. The childminder has developed her own catalogue with photographs of her toys and equipment. This is particularly beneficial for children with little or no language. As a result, all children are able to make choices and decisions in their play. 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 3 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 3 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 3 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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