Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 304839 Inspection date 07/10/2011 Inspector Patricia webb

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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 has been registered since 2000 and lives in Nantwich in Cheshire with her husband and adult daughter. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding including toilet facilities. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She also attends local toddler groups and takes children to the park.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There are currently 17 children on roll, six of whom are in the early years age group. The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is an accredited childminder and holds a Level 3 qualification in early years childcare and education.

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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

Children make exceptional progress in their development and learning with this enthusiastic and caring childminder. Every child and their family are highly valued and respected as great attention is given to identifying individual characters and needs. The childminder shows an extremely strong ambition for driving improvement, using her innate knowledge of how children gain valuable skills for the future through play and everyday activities and experiences.

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further?

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

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further?

 extend the opportunities for parents to contribute more actively to their child's learning journey records acknowledging the partnership between home and the setting in contributing to children's progress.

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the early years provision

The childminder has undertaken regular training in safeguarding and child protection in order to ensure that every step is taken with regard to ensuring children's safety and well-being. She is confident in her knowledge of the signs and symptoms of abuse and neglect, informing parents, through the robust policies and procedures, of her duty of care to act in a child's best interest first and foremost. All adults in the household have undergone thorough vetting procedures and the childminder also ensures that family members who assist her have This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 completed relevant training and understand the setting's policies and procedures clearly. Exceptional attention is given to conducting thorough risk assessments both on and off the premises.

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the early years provision

Excellent use is made of space in the home and garden to provide a wide range of different activities and experiences. Children are encouraged to contribute to the planning process as they consider what toys and activities they wish to use later in the day, independently accessing a wide and varied range of good quality toys and resources. Children are encouraged to share resources and understand and respect the values of others. They take part in activities learning about different countries, cultures and beliefs through celebrating different festivals to enhance their awareness of the wider world. This inclusive practice is fully supported by access to a broad selection of resources available depicting positive images of diversity and by the childminder's developing use of non-verbal communication systems such as sign language.

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the early years provision

The partnerships with parents and carers are very well established and promote a true sense of mutual respect. They are kept fully informed of the childminder's ethos and commitment through a selection of very clear policies and procedures covering all aspects of her practice. They eagerly browse through the records of their child's development and learning and comment verbally in how pleased they are with their progress. The records do not currently reflect how parents contribute actively to these records in order to further promote the close links between home and the childminder. Partnerships with other settings and agencies that may be involved in a child's early development and learning are firmly established ensuring that children's early experiences are complemented consistently.

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and outcomes for children

Children eagerly access their learning journey records, excitedly recognising each other in the photographs and considering how much they have grown. The observations and assessments of children's progress are exceptionally detailed. Each child's progress is plotted and recorded in a family friendly way that keeps parents fully informed of how children gain skills and confidence in all aspects of their learning. The childminder has liaised closely with her daughter who is training in early years childcare and education to utilise new ideas and systems for noting each child's learning style and interests. This results in personalised records that very clearly plan for the next steps in children's progress, noted in the records as 'forward planning'. Consequently each child makes great strides in their attainment.

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and outcomes for children

Every experience and occurrence is effectively harnessed by the childminder as a learning and development opportunity. A simple wander in the beautiful garden is used to encourage children to investigate and explore the environment. They use observational skills to spot and catalogue the various birds, insects and other 'visitors' to the garden. Younger children relate that a cross on the clipboard indicates that the particular animal has not bee spotted today, with ticks indicating This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 successful spotting. They are encouraged to use all of their senses as for example, they whoop with delight when the kitchen clock strikes the hour with differing birdcalls. Noon time is a favourite time as the children join in with the owl hooting as the clock strikes, indicating lunch time. During a collage activity, much celebration is noted as a child compares one of the sticky shapes with the

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and outcomes for children

decoration on the tablecloth, noting that they are both dragonflies. Some older children have expressed their pleasure at being with the childminder and her family. They show their early writing skills citing how they enjoy going to the park and 'never have TV' (sic).

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and outcomes for children

Children become acutely aware of their world both from a diversity perspective and considering environmental issues. For example, they take great pride in showing off the plants they have grown and harvested in the garden such as potatoes, radishes, tomatoes and strawberries. They consider the smell of the various herbs planted in the pots and which will be used in some of their cookery activities. They also consider the differing cultures and family backgrounds in society such as considering why some families do not celebrate Christmas whilst others do. This engenders a sense of respecting other views and values. Communication and language development is keenly promoted in a very easy way. The childminder and her family chat constantly with the children, and the childminder repeats words with correct pronunciations to reinforce children's speech development. Her daughter is also using phonic systems to promote their recognition of letters and

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and outcomes for children

sounds as they settle in comfort on the settee to listen to favourite stories.

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and outcomes for children

Children follow well-practised and familiar hygiene routines, such as washing hands to contribute to their on-going good health. They settle in a very social way round the table to enjoy their nutritious and balanced snacks and meals. Safe and suitable storage is provided for any food items provided by parents to reduce the risk of food spoilage. Children eagerly ask for cookery activities as they discuss the ingredients and learn to use tools and utensils with care and dexterity. Their safety is further assured as they participate in regular emergency evacuation drills, sharing the procedures with parents. They know the road safety rules to be followed and the childminder makes effective use of mini back-packs that are also reins for younger children. Children's behaviour is exemplary as they understand the firm but easily achievable boundaries offered by the childminder. They show caring and considerate attributes, firmly ingrained by the positive role models

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and outcomes for children

provided by the childminder and her family. 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 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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