Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY262746 Inspection date 28/09/2011 Inspector Angela Cuffe

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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 2003. She lives with her husband, two adult children and one 13 year old child in Haslington, Crewe, close to shops, parks, schools and public transport links. The whole of the childminder's home is used for childminding purposes apart from one of the bedrooms and there is an enclosed garden available for outside play. She has a parrot, a dog and two cats as pets.

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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 whom may be in the early years age range. The childminder is registered with Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is currently minding five children, all within the early years age range.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder collects children from the local school and goes to several toddler groups on a regular basis. She is a member of a childminding network.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

An exceptionally well developed knowledge of each child's needs makes sure that children's welfare and learning is successfully promoted. Children are extremely happy, safe and secure and thrive as they take part in well planned activities and consequently, the local environment and the world around them. The well established partnership with parents, the local school and other agencies are a key strength and are significant in making sure the needs of all children are well met. Children progress considerably well , given their age, ability and starting points. Regular self-evaluation by the childminder as well as regular training in core skills makes sure that priorities for development are continually maintained, resulting in a highly effective provision that responds to all user needs. The childminder is currently looking at improving the contracts and the records they contain.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 updating the records regularly to ensure they contain all of the necessary information including who has parental responsibility for each child.

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the early years provision

The childminder is truly committed and knowledgeable in safeguarding children, she has a good understanding of current legislation and her responsibilities if she is This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 concerned about a child's welfare. Children's health, safety and well-being are significantly enhanced by the robust implementation of policies and procedures that are individual to the setting and shared with parents. Detailed risk assessments on the premises, and also for outings, ensure that safety is continually monitored and reviewed. Fire drills are practised regularly, which ensures children understand what to do should the need to evacuate the premises arise. All required records and documentation are in place. However, the contract does not include details of parental responsibility, even though all parents of children attending that have signed consents are authorised to do so.

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the early years provision

The highly motivated and enthusiastic childminder actively promotes equality and diversity in every activity, which consequently ensures children's knowledge and understanding of the way other people live is continually maintained. This is further enhanced by the teaching of other languages. An excellent range of high quality resources, toys and equipment are deployed extremely well to ensure that all children are stimulated and eager to play and learn. The childminder works considerably well with parents and outside agencies to ensure continuity of care and learning is well planned for in order to effectively enhance children's development. Parents provide very positive feedback and are complimentary about the care their children receive. Continuity of care for the children is enhanced as the childminder develops effective links with other provisions where children attend. Regular self-evaluation results in a highly effective provision.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a secure knowledge of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework and outcomes for children and has devised a highly effective observation and assessment process. Meaningful observations are carried out spontaneously; these are then linked to the six areas of learning, each child's next steps and the overall planning, which has a direct impact on the learning and development each child receives. The childminder attends regular relevant training in core skills. This exceptional practice ensures the continuous improvement and sustainability of the provision.

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and outcomes for children

Children are settled and at home in the well-planned and extremely welcoming environment. Every area of the childminder's home is organised with each of the child's interests and learning needs in mind. The childminder is extremely well organised and puts continuous effort into providing a supportive environment for children. As a result, children settle quickly, which enables them to form trusting relationships with the childminder and their peers. From the moment children arrive, they are eager to explore and take part in the exciting and fun activities that have been well thought out and planned. Emphasis is placed on children learning through play, exploration and fun. This ensures that all children are able to participate in activities and, consequently make good progress in their development and are motivated to learn.

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and outcomes for children

Children show high levels of independence, curiosity and imagination, and the relaxed, supportive atmosphere enables them to freely express themselves. Playing This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 games together produces plenty of excitement and children laugh out loud as they score a strike whilst bowling and chase the childminder round the garden with a plastic bee. Children confidently communicate with the childminder as they explore the mini-beasts under the log, they look at a spider in a web and then hold a soft toy spider as the childminder reads a story to them. They make art work using various items they have collected from a nature walk and add glitter and glue.

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and outcomes for children

All children show an extremely strong sense of security and consequently feel safe within the home. They show an excellent understanding of what standards of behaviour are expected and apply these in order to keep themselves and others safe. Their understanding of safety issues and how they demonstrate this is exceptional. Children are extremely confident and competent at expressing their thoughts and needs. The high quality adult interaction and exemplary organisation help children to gain an exceptionally strong sense of security. They enjoy books and story time which enables them to join in and look at the characters as the story is read to them. Water activities and looking through magnifying glasses as they explore the outside area successfully promotes children's knowledge and understanding of the world. Simple science projects, as well as counting and measuring, enhances their problem solving and reasoning skills.

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and outcomes for children

Children develop a positive attitude towards diversity and take part in activities linked to various festivals as well as accessing a range of multi-cultural toys and equipment. Children develop a keen interest in nature during their time in the garden, walks in the local countryside and visits to farms and other places of interest. They also access large equipment, such as a trampoline, slides and a obstacle course, which helps them to develop control and coordination over their bodies. Children eagerly express their creativity as they regularly access a range of materials to create pictures, such as glitter, leaves, acorns, glue and chalks. Children show an exceptional understanding of the importance of following good personal hygiene routines and healthy eating. Children have innovative opportunities to engage in a wide range of physical activities, both indoors and out, and consequently gain a secure knowledge of how regular exercise impacts on maintaining a healthy life

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and outcomes for children

style. The children are provided with fruit and vegetables at snack time as well as healthy home cooked meals and have access to drinking water at all times to enable them to satisfy their thirst when needed. 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 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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