Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY356855 Inspection date 17/05/2011 Inspector Barbara Wearing

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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 registered in 2007. He offers care from the home of his partner, who is also a registered childminder, in the town of Knutsford, East Cheshire. His partner's 15 year old child and adult child live in the household. The whole of the house apart from the childminder's bedroom can be used for childminding. There are fully enclosed front and rear gardens for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children. He works alongside his co-childminder during the afternoon and during school holidays. Currently they are minding eight children between them, four of whom are on the Early Years Register. All children currently attend on a part-time basis.

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Description of the childminding

Care to children aged over five years to 11 years is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder walks to the local school to take and collect children and attends a number of groups and play facilities for young children during the holidays.

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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

The childminder embraces children's sense of fun and enthusiasm for exploration and learning. They greatly enjoy each other's company and build close and trusting relationships. He works closely with his co-childminder who provides an excellent role model as he develops his good skills in promoting children's learning and meeting their individual needs. He demonstrates a strong commitment to the continued development of the childminding provision and has a positive input to the self-evaluation process.

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further?

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

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further?

 increase knowledge of child development and how young children learn, using this to increase involvement in the observation, assessment and planning processes.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a clear knowledge and understanding of the signs and symptoms of abuse and of when, and how to report concerns. He attends regular training to update his knowledge and is aware that safeguarding children is paramount at all times. Although his co-childminder takes main responsibility for record keeping and writing policies, the childminder has a clear understanding of these and works with full regard to them at all times. Policies are regularly This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 discussed, reviewed and updated, responding to changes in requirements and following training. Comprehensive risk assessments and food hygiene practices are in place. These maintain children's health and safety while allowing them many opportunities to explore and develop skills.

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the early years provision

The childminder and his co-childminder work closely together; complementing each other's skills and interests. The childminder is welcomed by the children as he joins his co-childminder in the afternoon. He takes an active role in supporting young children and school age children in their learning and development. He shows a genuine desire to increase his knowledge of early years and how children learn, in order to continue to develop his skills in supporting children in their progress. The childminders have weekly meetings to discuss children's progress, plans for activities and developments for the childminding provision. The childminder has taken a particularly active role in recent developments in the garden. Children were involved in sharing their ideas and were particularly motivated as they entered a competition, which successfully led to an award for a wildlife friendly garden. The co-childminder's home provides children with a

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the early years provision

superb, highly stimulating environment, both indoors and out. The daily routine is well organised to ensure that children's individual needs are met and gives them optimum opportunity to make choices in their play.

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the early years provision

The childminder works in partnership with other professionals to develop his skills and abilities, ensuring children's individual needs are well catered for. He builds links with other early years settings, enabling them to work together to support children as they learn and develop. Close links are established with parents. A wealth of information regarding early years and the childminding provision is available on the childminder's website. Parents' opinions are actively sought and acted upon. Information regarding children's interests and skills and achievements is shared between all adults who care for the children. This is used to inform planning and ensures a highly responsive provision for children and families.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder discusses his observations of children's achievements with his co- childminder and is involved in the planning of activities. His co-childminder takes the main responsibility for establishing and maintaining the high quality observation, assessment and planning systems. The childminder plays an important role in enhancing children's very good progress towards the early learning goals. He greatly enjoys interacting with them during adult-led and child- led activities and takes opportunities to extend their learning in all areas.

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and outcomes for children

Children build strong, trusting relationships with the childminder, other children and the co-childminder. They develop a very strong sense of belonging as they are shown high levels of respect and care and are encouraged to be fully involved in the daily routine. They eagerly volunteer to help the childminder prepare tea and take turns to rub the fat into the flour for the apple crumble. The childminder promotes their health and safety, reminding them of the importance of washing their hands and not to taste the mixture on their fingers. He talks to them about This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 how to stay safe while standing on, and getting down from the chairs. Children develop their knowledge and understanding of the world, observing the changes of the mixture as it begins to resemble breadcrumbs. The childminder joins children singing songs and encourages them to think of a word that rhymes with crumble;

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and outcomes for children

seizing the opportunity to develop their imagination and communication, language and literacy skills. Children help mash potatoes, wash up and set the table as the kitchen becomes the hub of the home.

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and outcomes for children

Children relish their time playing outdoors. They throw and catch balls and persuade the childminder to pour water down newly erected guttering on the outside wall. They shriek with delight as the water splashes onto the ground. The childminder encourages them to explore the natural environment, looking at the plants and smelling the herbs in their herb garden. As children talk about 'how many' he encourages their understanding of number, holding up five fingers and stating he has 'four'. As predicted, the children take delight in correcting him.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder makes excellent use of his skills as a qualified chef to actively promote healthy lifestyles for children and their families. He has shared his knowledge with his co-childminder who has written guidance and e-books for parents and fellow childminders. Children benefit greatly from a very well balanced, nutritional diet. Reluctant eaters are gently encouraged to gradually try new foods and have many opportunities to learn about foods and healthy eating outside meal times. 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 1 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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