Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 303910 Inspection date 07/11/2011 Inspector Sylvia Cornock

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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 1989. She lives with her adult child in Great Boughton, Chester. The whole of the ground floor (except the front lounge), one upstairs bedroom and bathroom are used for childminding purposes. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play.

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Description of the childminding

The 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 registered to provide overnight care and she works with an assistant at times. She is currently minding four children within the early years age group and offers care to children over five to 12 years.

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Description of the childminding

The family has two dogs, one guinea pig, one rabbit and four chickens.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has completed the basic childminding training and holds National Vocational Qualification level 3 in early years. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups, childminding forums and takes and meets children to and from school. The childminder is a member of the Chester Childminder's Network.

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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

Children's welfare and learning needs are successfully promoted with some outstanding aspects. The childminder is professional and endeavours to maintain a high standard of care and education. Children make good progress in their learning and development and enjoy an extensive range of highly enjoyable activities and resources. They are valued as unique individuals and an inclusive ethos threads through all aspects of the setting. Children's progress is imaginatively shared through excellent partnerships with parents and carers and other early years professionals. Overall, the childminder uses self-evaluation and reviews procedures well to ensure her service is continually improving and meeting the needs of the children and parents.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure the risk assessment covers anything with which a child may come into contact with, in respect of overnight care  develop further the use of assessments to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress and regularly review this approach. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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the early years provision

Children's safety and well-being are protected through the childminder's vigilance and her superb awareness of appropriate safeguarding policies and procedures. The childminder ensures that parents have their own copy of the safeguarding procedures. Accurate documentation protects the welfare of the children, meets all requirements and is stored to respect confidentiality. Clear and precise risk assessments are completed for outings and most areas of the childminding environment and these are reviewed on a regular basis. However, the childminder has omitted to cover all areas a child might come into contact with for overnight care. The childminder's home is exceptionally well organised and maintained to a high standard to meet children's individual needs. Areas and resources are vibrant and organised to promote children's independence and develop active learning. The childminder promotes an enabling, inclusive environment where children are

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the early years provision

helped to value different aspects of their own and other people's lives.

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the early years provision

The childminder is enthusiastic, conscientious and strongly committed towards continually improving the overall quality of care and education she provides for children and their families. She reflects on her setting's strengths and weaknesses and has formalised a system for self-evaluation. Priorities for improvement are well targeted to bring about further improvement and promote positive outcomes for children. She intends to further develop the system linking the children's next steps in their learning to the planning. She has introduced a superb system for effective continuity and progression in sharing information with other early years providers and this is a key factor in her planning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a superb relationship with parents and carers. She shares information from the onset through the provision of sharing her aims, policies and procedures, and objectives in caring for young children. Parents' written and verbal comments support the care and education the childminder provides, for example, 'there is always an abundance of things planned and a welcoming homely atmosphere' 'she has a wonderful and excellent way with the children'. This confirms that they are very happy with the quality of care and education she provides. They add their comments in their child's learning journal which is given to the parents to view. This encourages parents to share children's learning at home. Excellent systems are in place to work alongside other settings and carers to ensure progression, continuity of learning and smooth transition of all children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder's planning, assessments and interactions with children is good and demonstrate that she has a good knowledge and understanding of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. The systems for assessments and achievement are comprehensive and demonstrate that This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children are making consistently good progress towards the early learning goals. Starting points are clearly identified with parents when children join the setting, which forms a baseline to identify appropriate next steps in learning for individual children. The childminder knows children well and has a good understanding of children's capabilities. She plans a balance of adult-directed and child-led activities. She skilfully develops children's early language and communication as she constantly talks to the children, encouraging them to become independent

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and outcomes for children

thinkers. Children are happy and confident in the childminder's home. Children share exceptional relationships with the childminder and are very well behaved. They understand how to keep themselves safe through good explanations, such as, undertaking evacuations of the premises on a very regular basis. Varied and imaginative attention is given to developing children's knowledge and understanding of the world. Children are encouraged to consider their environment as they go for walks and visit places of interest. From an early age, the children are encouraged to develop their independence as they make their own choices and decisions in the enabling environment. Children learn to use programmable toys and equipment. They have opportunities to use writing materials and tools, in art and craft activities. They gain comfort from the childminder as they sit and look at books with interest. They have opportunities to

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and outcomes for children

count everyday objects, promoting an understanding of number operation. All children participate appropriately in all activities and their differences are recognised and valued.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from being cared for in a home which is clean, warm and well maintained. Individual routines are recognised and respected. Superb hygiene routines are followed to ensure children's good health, such as, children being reminded of the importance of washing their hands after using the toilet or before they eat their snack or meal. Children's health is significantly enhanced as they enjoy outside play as the childminder clearly recognises the importance of fresh air and physical outdoor pursuits. Children enjoy nutritious meals and snacks which are devised in consultation with children and parents, to take account of likes, dislikes and dietary needs. Drinking water is freely available to ensure that children remain hydrated throughout the day. 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 1 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 1 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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