Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY290811 Inspection date 08/11/2011 Inspector Ron Goldsmith

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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 partner and teenage child in Chester, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a pet dog.

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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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently 17 children on roll, all of whom attend on a part-time basis, eight of whom are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 are making good progress as they take part in interesting activities that cover all aspects of their learning and development, enjoying familiar routines. Their individual needs are met by the childminder supported by exceptional relationships with parents and with other professionals. The childminder has robust policies and procedures in place and provides a varied range of activities for children, covering all areas of learning. Systems for observation and assessment are being developed and the childminder reflects on her practice informally, taking into account the views and opinions of parents and children. She demonstrates a commendable commitment to improvement through regular training.

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further?

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

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further?

 further develop the use of observation and assessment of children's learning, to identify more clearly children's individual learning priorities  develop self evaluation so that strengths and areas for development within the setting can be identified.

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the early years provision

Children are safeguarded exceptionally well. The childminder affords a very high priority to safety and this is reflected in her documentation and everyday practice. She has attended recent safeguarding training and has a clear policy that she shares with parents. She shows an excellent understanding of the procedures to follow should she have concerns about a child in her care and all adults living in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 her home have been suitably vetted. The childminder carries out daily visual safety checks and maintains comprehensive risk assessment records. This contributes to the safe and efficient management of her setting.

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the early years provision

Children benefit greatly from the childminder's knowledge and experience. She has attended an extensive range of training courses and regularly networks with other professionals to exchange ideas and share good practice. She has begun to implement a process of self-evaluation to help support the continuous improvement of the provision. This takes into account the views of parents and children. The childminder has formed excellent relationships with parents. Information is consistently exchanged with parents about the setting and their children's progress. Parents receive copies of the written policies and procedures and a good level of feedback about children's progress is communicated verbally on a daily basis.

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the early years provision

Children have plenty of opportunities to play and rest. Resources are plentiful and most are accessible to children. Children are able to make independent choices about their play and learning. Children are treated as individuals and the childminder ensures that experiences and resources are appropriate for the children in her care. The childminder demonstrates a very strong understanding of how to implement additional support for children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those who speak English as an additional language. The childminder is well aware of the value of sharing important information with other professionals. Some of the children in her care also attend pre-school and the childminder shares information with them.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making good progress in relation to their starting points. They are happy and settled and are interested in the experiences provided for them. The childminder knows the children in her care well and confidently describes their personalities, needs and preferences. She observes them on a regular basis and effectively uses what she discovers to inform planning and children's learning and development records. Each child has their own individual record and this is regularly shared with their parents. It contains a good range of information including photographs, examples of children's work and the childminder's written observations. She uses her knowledge and observations of the children to assess and plan for their learning. However, observations and assessments are not yet sufficiently well linked to the individual next steps.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy learning to play independently as well as with each other. They use glue to stick leaves that they have gathered onto paper and confidently ask for help if they need it. They play with a variety of toys and the childminder encourages them to learn from their play by asking open questions and encouraging them to think and act for themselves. She is very well aware of children's needs and is constantly introducing and reinforcing language. Young children happily chat to each other and with visitors as they play and older children This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 chat to the childminder about things that interest them. The childminder shows them that their communications are valued by actively listening to what they have to say and responding appropriately.

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and outcomes for children

Children have access to a good range of resources and these include those that help them to develop a knowledge and awareness of diversity. They are learning about their own culture and customs of the wider world in a meaningful way. For example, resources include a variety of books, dolls, toys and posters which inform children about diversity. The childminder provides children with a positive role model because she is calm and caring. She readily acknowledges children's good behaviour, effort and achievement and this motivates them and helps to raise their self-esteem. Children display very good manners and are learning to respect other people.

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and outcomes for children

Children display an exceptionally strong sense of security in the childminder's home. They happily go to her for comfort and support and are very confident in their surroundings. The childminder's interaction with children is warm and loving and she offers young children cuddles and reassurance if they need it. Children are learning to keep themselves safe as they take part in regular fire drills and routinely practice road safety on outings. They know where things are kept and happily play both independently and with others. The childminder encourages children to talk about their emotions and through gentle reminders she reinforces house rules that include using kind words and not hurting others. Children are learning about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle in meaningful ways through participating in lots of physical exercise. Food provided by the childminder is healthy and nutritious and drinks are readily available to ensure children are not

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and outcomes for children

dehydrated. Children understand and follow good hygiene arrangements, for example, they learn why it is important to wash hands. 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 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 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 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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