Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY343267 Inspection date 01/02/2011 Inspector Ron Goldsmith

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and two children aged six and nine years old. They live in Blacon, Chester. The childminder works with an assistant. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre-schools, and also takes children to local places of interest.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for four children under eight years old. There are currently six children on roll, with a variety of attendance patterns. The childminder 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

Very effective partnerships between the childminder, parents and other agencies ensure children's individual needs are met. Children make good progress in learning and development. Effective policies and procedures are followed and safety is maintained and the risk assessments are clearly recorded. Some self- evaluation methods have been employed to develop this service but do not identify sufficiently well the strengths of the setting or areas for improvement. The childminder has made good progress to develop her service and demonstrates the 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?

 develop self-evalution to ensure that strengths and areas for improvement can be appropriately identified.

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the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a clear commitment to safeguarding and is suitably trained to recognise when children may be at risk of harm and when to liaise with appropriate agencies. Policies, procedures and record keeping systems are exceptionally well maintained to ensure children are kept safe, protected and supported. Risk assessments are thoroughly completed to keep children safe on outings. In the home and garden, identified hazards are minimised. The childminder works very effectively with an assistant to ensure the needs of individual children are well met.

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the early years provision

Good use is made of space in the home to provide a range of different activities and experiences. Resources are of good quality and used very well. This supports This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children to achieve planned goals. Children have opportunities to be outside on a daily basis. Information about each child's background, interests and abilities is used by the childminder to ensure learning experiences are tailored to each child's learning journey. The childminder has an excellent working relationship with parents. They exchange useful information every day, verbally and in writing. Children's work, photographs and written observations are beginning to demonstrate that each child is making good progress.

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the early years provision

Parents receive clear and detailed information about the childminding practice through a welcome pack and noticeboards. They are well informed about their child's achievements and progress. Parents are invited to discuss their child's progress and agree their next steps for development. The childminder is strongly committed to improvement and professional development. She attends further training and workshops to update her skills and knowledge.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder plans the educational programme to meet the needs of the children. She uses her good knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage to make strong links between the activities and the learning outcomes for children, taking into account their ages and stages of development. Children talk about colours and size and express themselves happily in words and gestures. Children enthusiastically paint at the table, proudly talking about what they are doing. The childminder makes good use of observations and assessments to monitor children's progress and to identify the next steps in children's learning.

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and outcomes for children

She knows the children well and makes effective use of themes and activities to help children learn new skills and to prepare them for new experiences. Children learn about and use numbers in their play. They count objects or use everyday experiences to count, such as the number of stairs they descend. They begin to develop the good habits of an inquisitive learner, for example, by listening to and following simple instructions. A good range of resources are provided which support children's learning. Resources are freely available, allowing children to develop some independence in choosing what interests them. Children respond confidently to questions and enjoy chatting with each other as they play and have healthy meals together.

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and outcomes for children

There are very good opportunities for children to learn about the world they live in. They go on outings in the local community. Their understanding of the wider world is promoted through the use of celebrations such as Chinese New Year. They are able to express their own ideas for what they want to do and to select activities for themselves. The childminder and her assistant are on hand to offer encouragement and support when needed and to give praise for achievements. The children learn how to behave well, to share and play together. They are developing their social skills as they play together, share meal times and go on outings.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes effective use of daily routines to enable children to learn This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 about being healthy and staying safe. They have regular opportunities to be physically active using the secure outside play area and outings. The childminder encourages healthy eating and independence in relation to personal hygiene. Children develop an understanding of dangers and how to stay safe because the childminder teaches them road safety and about hazards in the home. 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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