Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 304467 Inspection date 20/07/2011 Inspector Jane Shaw

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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 1995. She lives with her husband and adult child in Nantwich, Cheshire. The whole of the childminder's house, except for the main bedroom, is used for childminding and there is access to a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

This childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and 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. She is currently minding six children, four of whom are within the early years age, on a full-time and part-time basis and before and after school.

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Description of the childminding

She attends the local childminding group and other local childcare care groups.

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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

The childminder provides a welcoming and inclusive environment for all children, as well as for their families. Each child's needs are well known and as a result they are valued as individuals and make good progress in their learning and development. Partnerships with parents and carers are effective and with other early years providers are mostly strong. Whilst the childminder shows satisfactory capacity to improve, processes of self-evaluation to effectively monitor the provision and identify future targets are not yet fully developed. Most of the records and documentation required for the safe and efficient management of the provision are in place.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the record of risk assessment clearly states, when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident. (Documentation) 31/08/2011

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further?

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

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further?

 record details of fire evacuations including details of any problems encountered and how they were resolved  develop systems for self-evaluation to identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of provision for all children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006  develop further the two-way flow of information with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to further support the children's continuity of care and learning.

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the early years provision

Children's safety and well-being is well protected through the childminder's clear awareness of the signs and symptoms of abuse and safeguarding policies and procedures. Most documentation protects the welfare of the children, meets all requirements and is stored to respect confidentiality. However, the record of risk assessments does not fully comply with the regulations. The impact to children is minimal however, as the childminder completes daily visual checks prior to children's arrival to ensure their safety. The childminder supervises the children well and takes positive steps to ensure all hazards are kept to a minimum. Consequently, children can move freely and safely both indoors and outdoors. The childminder conducts fire drills with the children, however, she does not retain a record of these evacuations.

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the early years provision

Areas and resources are organised to promote children's independence and develop active learning as children are able to self-select resources from those set out or from storage. Activities extend to the garden where the childminder provides a further range of challenging opportunities, along with attendance at other local childcare groups. The childminder promotes an enabling, inclusive environment where all children have equal access to the activities and opportunities on offer. Children access some resources, such as books, to promote their understanding of diversity, as a result inclusion is satisfactorily promoted.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to providing good quality care and education for the children she minds through attending training. However, she has not fully completed any form of self-evaluation to highlight her setting's strengths and weaknesses in order to bring about further improvement and promote positive outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder has good partnerships with parents and carers. She has an introductory folder which contains information on activities, food and some policies and procedures. She has introduced a developmental record for children in the early years age group, which parents and carers can view at any time. Parents confirm that they are very happy with the care the childminder provides for their children. The childminder has an understanding of the need to work effectively with other practitioners and carers for consistency in supporting children's learning and progress, but these relationships are not yet fully explored. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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and outcomes for children

The childminder has a clear understanding of the importance of good quality play opportunities to support and encourage children's good learning and development. She offers children access to a range of activities and opportunities based on their interests and observations she has made of their development and progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. She knows each child well and has a good understanding of their likes, dislikes and capabilities. Children are encouraged to develop their independence as they make their own choices about resources. They are learning to share and take turns and play cooperatively together. The childminder develops children's early language and communication skills as she engages in conversation. Children make marks through a variety of activities, such as drawing and painting. They understand how books work and enjoy looking at the available selection and they enjoy listening to stories. They skilfully complete jigsaws, sort shapes and count during everyday activities. They competently build towers and make enclosures using building blocks, matching and sorting into colours.

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and outcomes for children

They have access to technological resources to develop their understanding that pushing buttons creates an action. They are developing a good understanding of the environment as they are involved in activities outdoors and on local walks. Children enjoy a variety of activities to promote both their gross and fine motor skills. For example, as they use large play equipment, learn to feed themselves and complete jigsaws. They listen to sounds and music and enjoy playing different instruments at a local children's centre group. Effective hygiene routines are followed to ensure children's health is promoted, for example, the childminder has good arrangements in place for nappy changing.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder recognises the importance of outdoor play and activities to support their physical health. Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks throughout their day and drinks are available to ensure that children remain hydrated. As a result, children's well-being and healthy lifestyles are effectively promoted. The variety of opportunities on offer, as well as the encouragement of appropriate interactions with one another helps to fully support an inclusive environment and prepares children's skills for the future. 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 3

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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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