Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 304687 Inspection date 23/03/2012 Inspector Kath Harding

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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 1999. She lives with her husband and two children in Tattenhall near Chester, Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor of the property and the bathroom upstairs are used for childminding. There is an enclosed garden available for outside play. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has two dogs 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, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child attending who is within the Early Years Foundation Stage. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and children who speak English as an additional language.

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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 make good progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder demonstrates a good understanding of their individual needs and actively promotes an inclusive environment where children begin to develop an awareness of diversity. She has strong relationships with parents and has a good understanding of the benefits of working in partnership with others. The childminder has a positive attitude to improvement and has good systems in place to evaluate her practice in most areas.

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further?

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

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further?

 review the risk assessment to ensure that it covers anything with which a child may come into contact to ensure children's safety and well being, with particular regard to garden plants and the kitchen light.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding and knowledge of safeguarding procedures. She has attended training on safeguarding issues and she ensures her knowledge in this area is kept up-to-date. She closely supervises the children in her care and knows of her responsibility to ensure that all people living in the house are suitably checked. Written risk assessments are undertaken which include the different areas of the childminder's home, garden, outings and some activities. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 A written daily check is also undertaken to ensure the premises are checked and safe prior to the children arriving. However, in the garden a hazardous plant was accessible to the children and the kitchen light is not covered by a diffuser. Both items are potential hazards to children.

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the early years provision

The childminder creates a welcoming, homely environment where, resources and toys are accessible for children, so helping to promote their independence. A good range of resources reflecting the wider world are available for children to play with.

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the early years provision

Partnerships with parents are good. Information is sought from parents regarding their child's routine, individual care needs and particular preferences and interests, so the childminder can provide consistent care for each child. She encourages a two-way flow of information between her and the parents so they know all about their child's day and records daily information in a daily diary. Parents can view all the childminder's policies and procedures which underpin the service offered. Parents are involved in contributing their views and suggestions via questionnaires and informal chats in order to bring about future improvement. Parental comments include: 'My child adored you from the start and has never not enjoyed coming to see you each day'. 'I could write my childminder is conscientious, hard working and reliable but this does not do her justice. My child is a happy free thinking child with an individual personality and I am delighted to say these traits have been

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the early years provision

The childminder knows the children well and has a good understanding of issues relating to equality and diversity, as she provides a service that ensures all children and their families are included and treated with equal concern and respect. Individual planning sheets are in place for each child. These are informed by observations and assessments of the children as they make good progress towards the early learning goals. These are linked into the six areas of learning and show possible lines of development indicating children's next steps in their learning and development to ensure their continued progression. A book containing children's photographs and art work is also maintained and shared with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder is committed to and understands the benefits of working in partnership with others. She demonstrates a good commitment to continuous improvement as she reflects on how to improve her service. She obtains advice from development workers to help improve her practice.

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and outcomes for children

Good quality interaction and familiar routines help babies to become secure and confident in the setting. They are very settled and happy in the childminder's suitably organised home. The childminder places high priority on keeping the children safe and on them learning about safety. She explains about road safety when out walking and helps them to understand the importance of road safety by playing traffic light games with different coloured jellies. The children practise fire drills so they know how to get themselves out of the house in an emergency. The fire officer has visited the premises to ensure effective fire safety procedures are in This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 place.

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and outcomes for children

Children go for walks in the local area and play at the park so they get plenty of fresh air, exercise and stimulation which helps promote their health and well-being. The childminder ensures that rest and sleep are incorporated into children's daily routines to further promote their health and well-being. She ensures the children eat healthy and nutritious snacks such as, salad items, fruit and vegetables to help them develop a good understanding of the importance of healthy eating. They discuss good and not so good foods in order to gain a better understanding of how to lead a healthy lifestyle. As children like apples they go apple picking and use their senses to explore these. Children can access regular drinks of filtered water to ensure they remain hydrated.

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and outcomes for children

Children enjoy playing with the stacking cups and have great fun as they knock them over. The childminder constantly talks to the children about what she is dong and the children begin to find their voices as they respond by babbling back. As children bring books from home the childminder helps children make connections in their learning by finding some dried beans. They cut these open to explore the insides and use these for counting and sorting activities. The childminder encourages the children to develop their physical skills as she supports them to walk as they find their feet. As the children touch their feet the childminder points to different features of their body to encourage the children to become aware of themselves. The childminder encourages the children to develop their problem solving skills as they put the pieces into the inset puzzles. They look at the different shapes as they push them through the shape sorter. They are curious and

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and outcomes for children

inquisitive learners as they push the buttons on the play figures to make different noises. They plant tomatoes and herbs, watch these grow and tend them, so learning about caring for living things.

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and outcomes for children

Children behave very well with the childminder using lots of praise and encouragement with the children, so promoting their self-esteem. They learn to value and respect others as they use a good range of resources which help them to begin to understand about the wider world. They look at different festivals and do related activities. They make Chinese lanterns and taste pancake rolls as they look at Chinese New Year. They take part in sponsored events, so learning about helping others. They visit the shops, castle and park, so becoming aware of their local community and the world around them. 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 2 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 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 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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