Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 304154 Inspection date 07/11/2011 Inspector Lynne Milligan

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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.

p.3

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).

p.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1991. She lives with her husband in a large detached property in Winsford, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family have a cat.

p.4

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 two children in this age group. 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.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder attends local activity groups.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are happy and settled and receive a good level of care and attention. They are helped to achieve and as a result, children make good progress in their learning and development. Positive partnerships between parents and other early years practitioners ensure children's individual needs are met. Policies and procedures are mostly effective. The childminder demonstrates a generally sound commitment to continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 keep a record of the risk assessment clearly stating when it was carried out, by whom, date of review and any action taken following a review or incident (Documentation). 28/11/2011

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 recognise the value of self-reflection and continual professional development and consider taking steps to develop these areas in order to improve practice enhance the records used to evaluate children's development by including the relevant early learning goal to the observations. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of how to protect children and is aware of the various signs and symptoms of possible abuse. Steps to follow should an allegation be made against her or members of her household are also adequately understood. Supporting documentation, such as accident records, indicate simple procedures are adopted and are in line with safeguarding practice. Details of how she would care for a child should they become ill or arrive unwell are in place and closely followed, which keeps children healthy. Children are secure and indoor and outdoor space is organised effectively to enable them to move freely and are protected from harm. The childminder visually assesses risks to children both indoors and outdoors and has put procedures and practices in place to minimise these at all times. However, she has breached the regulation as these are not recorded. Outings are well organised with prior visits carried out to

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder holds a level 2 early years qualification. She is generally aware of her responsibilities and has made some effort to maintain her ability to improve following her last inspection. Some training has been attended whilst independently researching new practice and sharing information with other childminders. An assessment of her practice has started to indicate some good practice but this is yet to be used effectively to clearly identify her overall strengths and areas for improvement.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder works in close partnership with parents and relationships between her and parents are open, trusting, friendly and professional. This helps ensure children are settled and promotes consistency of care. The childminder takes time to gather information relating to the children's individual needs and preferences before they start to attend. Parents are provided with simple yet clear information about the service provided and their children's progress through, for example, daily discussions, development folders, displays of children's work and a basic range of policies. The childminder is aware of the benefits of establishing and maintaining positive links with other professionals involved in the care and education of the children. She has formed effective links with the local schools, nursery, children's centre and other childminders to ensure children's individual needs are effectively

p.5

and outcomes for children

Warm and caring relationships between the childminder and children are fostered well through gradual settling-in procedures and a conscious effort to concentrate on children's personal, social and emotional development. Children are clearly valued and the childminder ensures that when teaching them right from wrong, she sensitively turns negative situations into positive experiences with kindness and plenty of reassurance. The children respond well to the childminder and are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 secure and happy in her care. Children have access to a range of bright and safe toys and resources to help them make progress in their learning and development, including play opportunities, which reflect diversity and acknowledge cultural awareness. The childminder clearly demonstrates that she knows the children well. She carries out observations as they play and records what the children can do,

p.5

and outcomes for children

but is yet to relate them to the relevant early learning goals, in order to clearly demonstrate that all areas are fully covered. Information gained from the observations is then used to help plan the next steps in children's learning.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The childminder is skilled at using everyday routines and children's free play to inject key areas of learning, such as, counting, colour recognition and mark making. Children associate the colour green to their chair or to their tractor and count the number of blocks as they build towers. Shapes are explored as children search for arches, rectangles and squares, identifying them through colour too. As they build each section, the childminder reinforces key words that build on their mathematical understanding. Plenty of opportunities are provided for children to develop their literacy and mark making skills. For example, outings provide children with the ability to identify letters in a variety of formats as they look out for road signs and labels or as they make lists. Children use painting to form simple letters, which are then repeated as they either copy or trace their name in the initial stages of development. As they progress, children write letters to their

p.6

and outcomes for children

parents which reinforce these skills and enable them to write for a purpose.

p.6

and outcomes for children

Children are developing a sound understanding of how to stay safe. They participate in regular fire drills to ensure they know what to do in the event of an emergency and the childminder talks to them about road safety. Children are encouraged to take risks and become aware of their own ability as they climb higher or go up the slide the wrong way. Through activities and daily routines, children become aware of healthy eating. A nutritious, balanced diet is provided, along with a constant supply of fresh drinking water which maintains children hydration. Children are reminded to wash their hands at appropriate times of the day and props are used which include dolls to reinforce this important routine. Children develop their physical skills through a range of outdoor activities. They have access to the garden on a regular basis where they benefit from a range of toys and equipment which help to foster their good health.

p.6

and outcomes for children

This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.7

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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

p.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

p.7

Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

p.7

Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.8