Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY421402 Inspection date 18/07/2011 Inspector Karen Byfleet

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and their adult son. The family live in the Cuddington area of Cheshire, close to local pre-schools and within driving distance of local schools. The majority of rooms on the ground floor are used for childminding purposes.

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Description of the childminding

This childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under the age of eight years at any one time. There are currently three children on roll, one of whom is in the early years age range and attends full time education. All children attend before and after school. There were no children present during the inspection.

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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

No children were present during the inspection. However, evidence gathered shows how the childminder recognises and values the individuality of each child that attends. Children have opportunity to freely access toys and games within the well organised environment. Effective partnerships with parents have been established to ensure children's welfare needs are consistently met. Partnerships with other providers have not yet been fully established to ensure consistency and coherence in children's care and learning. All required documentation is in place which ensures children are safeguarded. The childminder self-evaluates her provision and has clear vision for the future and how she intends 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 further effective continuity and progression for children who attend more than one setting, by sharing relevant information with each other.

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the early years provision

Children are effectively safeguarded as the childminder has devised and implemented an effective safeguarding policy which she shares with parents. The policy is clear in informing parents of the childminders role and responsibilities to ensure children are safeguarded. Effective risk assessments are in place for the premises, equipment and any outings undertaken with the children. These are reviewed regularly to ensure they remain valid and consistent. For example, the main door to the home is kept locked whilst children are present, safety gates are in place where required and a visitors book is used to keep a record of all adults This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 that visit the childminders home, with dates, times of arrival and departure and the reason for their visit.

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the early years provision

An emergency evacuation plan is in place, although this has not yet been practiced with the children. However, the childminder has been pro-active in raising children's awareness of safety both within the home and when out and about. She has talked to the children, has fire safety posters displayed and has planned and undertaken activities to raise their awareness of road safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder promotes children's health and welfare well as she provides them with healthy balanced and nutritious snacks and meals of fresh fruits, meat, fish and vegetables. Children are able to help themselves to fresh drinking water as the childminder has a water dispenser located at low level that children can easily reach. Children follow good personal hygiene routines, such as, hand washing before eating and after using the toilet and they do this independently. All required written parental permissions are in place for the childminder to administer medication and seek any necessary medical advice or treatment, enhancing children's well-being.

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the early years provision

The childminder self-evaluates her provision, is forward thinking and clearly identifies and reflects her effective practice. She demonstrates a good capacity for maintaining continuous improvement and has sound knowledge of the Early Years Foundation stage. She has implemented development records for all the children in the early years age range who attend and she ensures that observations made of the children's learning link to the areas of learning and highlight the next steps in their learning to help the childminder effectively plan future activities. Partnerships with parents are effective. The childminder provides all parents with written copies of her policies and procedures and information about the children is exchanged daily through verbal exchange. Parents have access to children's development records at any time they wish to see them. However, the links with other providers have not yet been fully established to ensure exchange of information about

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the early years provision

children's progress, their interests and the next steps in their learning are shared consistently.

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and outcomes for children

The environment is well organised with a separate play room that children can freely access. Children are able to freely choose and access resources and take them to any part of the downstairs areas, helping to raise their self-esteem and give them a sense of belonging. All toys are stored where children can easily reach them. There is a good balance of adult led and child initiated activities. The childminder plans a variety of activities that help children to progress in their learning and which she knows children enjoy.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare and safety is fully supported. The childminder hold a current and valid first aid certificate and she has devised and implemented clear and effective policies and procedures to ensure children are well cared for if they fall ill or have minor accidents. Children's health is further supported through the healthy snacks This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and meals which the childminder provides. Children are developing an effective awareness of their own personal hygiene as they know and follow hygiene procedures such as hand washing before eating and after using the toilet.

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and outcomes for children

Children's development in all six areas of learning is promoted well. They have regular access to activities and toys which encourage and develop skills, such as, problem solving and communication. For example, board games, small world and imaginative play reources, such as, a castle, cars, dolls and shape sorting toys. Children of all ages participate in craft and creative activities, such as, painting and collage activities. 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 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 3 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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