Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 304850 Inspection date 19/07/2011 Inspector Sarah Rhodes

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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 2000. She lives with her husband and two adult children in Crewe, Cheshire, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. She sometimes works with an assistant. The whole of the childminders home is used for childminding. She has a guinea pig as a pet.

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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 one time, no more than three of which may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in this age group on a part-time basis. She also offers care to children aged over five years. The childminder 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 goes to several toddler groups regularly.

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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 is committed to providing a quality service for the children which is home-based and family orientated. Children are secure and happy because they enjoy individual care which includes kindness and cuddles. The childminder has implemented the Early Years Foundation Stage and records children's development in a broad way. She knows the individual children well and supports them to develop into confident, social children with busy and inquisitive minds. Self- evaluation of her service is being used as a tool to plan for improvement and she is committed to attending training to develop her service. A range of written documents have been produced which help the smooth running of the setting, but the risk assessments lack some necessary detail.

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further?

To meet the specific requirements of the EYFS, the registered person must:

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further?

 update the record of the risk assessments for the premises to state when they were carried out, by whom and the date of review. (Suitable premises, environment and equipment) 02/08/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 enhance the observation recording to summarise children's progress towards the early learning goals in the six areas of learning, share this with parents This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 and obtain their input to the records  implement plans to use the outdoor spaces to develop children's knowledge of nature and exploration of change over time.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded because the childminder ensures that she and her assistant have an appropriate knowledge of child protection procedures, their ultimate role, in line with the latest government guidelines and contact details for child protection support agencies. This helps to ensure children are protected from harm or neglect. The safety of children is important to the childminder. She undertakes risk assessments for both the premises and outings and puts safety precautions in place, for example, she is very aware that the decking can become slippery when wet. However, her paperwork lacks some necessary detail in line with Early Years Foundation Stage requirements. Emergency evacuations have been practised with the children to enhance their ability to cope in an emergency. Children learn to manage risks themselves, for example, how to walk near roads and are beginning to understand what to do when crossing a road. All adult

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the early years provision

household members have been notified to Ofsted and a record is kept of visitors who are always supervised.

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the early years provision

The childminder is very motivated about her continual development and learning, as well as enthusiastic about her role as a childminder in supporting children's development within a homely environment. She has undertaken a considerable number of short training sessions and continues to identify areas where her knowledge could be improved through training. She is also undertaking a longer course to obtain a qualification at National Vocational Qualification Level 3. All of this has supported her review and development of the provision. She has implemented the changes recommended at her last inspection and has completed a formal self-evaluation form which she reviews annually.

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the early years provision

The childminder places a strong emphasis on working in partnership with parents. She has a comprehensive range of policies which parents sign to acknowledge they have read. This ensures that parents are clear about how the childminding operates right from the beginning of the placement and they can refer back to these policies whenever they need clarification. For younger children, daily diaries are used to ensure a clear exchange of information. She also uses a daily diary with other providers to ensure the activities she provides complement their provision. The childminder understands the needs of the individual children she cares for and has organised her home to allow children to easily access a range of appropriate high quality equipment in labelled low-storage units and floor tubs. This ensures that no child is disadvantaged and all children have their needs met appropriately. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The provision for children's learning, development and welfare is good. The children benefit from a childminder who wants to provide a stimulating environment that blends the best of home care with activities that develop children's interests. She is very aware of children's learning styles, for example, children who dislike using pencils are encouraged to mark make in sand and foam and children who like to play with water are given ample time outside to play and experiment. She sees the Early Years Foundation Stage as a resource to support her planning of activities and a useful tool in broadly monitoring children's development. She records children's achievements in pictorial scrapbooks and links the pictures to the six areas of learning, sometimes recording the next steps in children's learning. Whilst this is a generally good system it does not currently provide a way to easily monitor children's progress towards all the aspects of the

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and outcomes for children

different Early Learning Goals for children of their age. Parent diaries record children's activities or messages for the youngest children. Opportunities are provided for parents to look at the scrapbooks and discuss these, but not to add their thoughts to the files, which means this information may not always be captured.

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and outcomes for children

Children respond to the positive, warm and welcoming environment which meets their physical and emotional needs and allows them to confidently explore and learn. They access equipment from the low-storage units or boxes and their self- esteem is reinforced as they are encouraged to make choices both inside and outside. A constant stream of conversation and regular singing sessions means that even very young children are becoming confident communicators who are always willing to join in. The children are also encouraged to value books and enjoy mark making, including using water and paint brushes to enjoy making shapes outside, or chalks and paints inside. Routine activities are used to extend children's learning, for example, counting the number stairs. Close links with the local community provide opportunities for children to meet up with larger groups at the Children's Centre. Children develop a healthy attitude to physical activity

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and outcomes for children

through walking each day and have access to larger equipment in the local parks and in the garden. Children have the opportunity to develop their balancing and climbing skills, although they have less access to tending to plants to increase their knowledge of nature and exploration of change over time.

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and outcomes for children

Children's welfare is also promoted through the childminder working with parents who provide healthy packed lunches. Clear procedures about hygiene, both personal hygiene and hygiene of the home enable children to play in a healthy environment. The childminder manages the children's behaviour in a very positive way, currently because of the age of the children she cares for, her main strategies are praising the children, using distraction and ensuring they are clear about the boundaries that are in place. Older children are made aware of the house rules. She is confident in her ability to work with parents and other professionals where a child has additional needs. Children are making good progress in developing skills for the future and the move to attending pre-school when the time comes. 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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