Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number 304728 Inspection date 29/03/2012 Inspector Dianne Andrews

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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 2001. She lives with her husband and two adult family members in Blacon, Chester. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's house is used for childminding. There is an enclosed front garden for outside play.

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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 these, three may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children on roll in this age group. The childminder attends local parent and toddler groups and activity centres. The family has a dog a cat and a budgerigar. The childminder is an active member of the local childminding group and 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

A homely, child-centred environment is provided and children are comfortable and settled in the provision. The childminder's effective working relationships with parents enable her to gain a good understanding of each child's developmental needs and interests. She uses this information well to ensure that their individual needs are consistently met and to offer effective support and activities that promote their development. Good systems are in place to support the service provided, the childminder recognises the areas she needs to improve. She is committed to the continuous provision of a childminding service that is sensitive and responsive to the future needs of the children she cares for.

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further?

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

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further?

 develop observations further to consistently make links to the 'Development matters' prompts to plan the next steps in a child's developmental progress  use a system to record visitors names, the purpose of their visit and the times of their arrival and departure.

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the early years provision

The childminder effectively manages procedures to safeguard children. Her role in protecting children from harm is fully understood and is based on the Local Safeguarding Children Board's guidelines. She ensures parents and carers are also well-informed through the written child protection policy, which is shared with them. Suitability checks had been completed on household members to provide reassurance to parents that they are suitable to have contact with children. There are good procedures in place so that appropriate action is taken in the event of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 accidents, the childminder holds a relevant first aid qualification and is an experienced first aider for a voluntary organisation.

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the early years provision

The risk assessment document available for inspection does not cover all things children may come into contact with, for instance their access to family pets, which have changed since the last inspection. The childminder checks the identity of visitors, but does not record the details of their visit to fully promote children's well-being. The safety and security of children is ensured through effective supervision, and by providing secure indoor and outside play areas. The childminder considers children's safety while on outings; she has written consent from parents to cover procedures for the collection of children from school using a taxi service and for other special requirements children in her care need.

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the early years provision

The childminder is experienced and demonstrates an ongoing commitment to reviewing and improving her practice. She utilises practical self-evaluation processes, for instance, discussing practice with other professionals, to help inform the continuous review of her work. She seeks to implement changes that improve the outcomes for children, for instance, by changing and developing her systems to support the education programme and by improving her computer skills. Information is shared with parents verbally or by sending text messages each day, to keep them well informed about their children's care and progress. The childminder knows the families well and provides a flexible service they are happy to use. She develops partnerships with other settings children attend, sharing information about children's achievements to promote consistency in their learning.

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the early years provision

Children's good health is promoted through the provision of nutritious and tasty snacks and meals. Their recognition of healthy food types is enhanced as they set up a market stall with fresh fruit and vegetables, naming their wares and enjoying eating them as they play. The childminder offers opportunities for them to be active through play in the garden and also through regular use of facilities in the locality. The resources in the home are plentiful and keep children occupied and interested. The range includes toys which help children to learn about the wider world and to begin to understand about diversity.

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and outcomes for children

Children are comfortable and able to relax in their surroundings, developing their confidence and self-esteem through the childminder's good interaction. This means children settle quickly into her home and become fully included within the setting. The childminder forms warm and close relationships with children and provides consistent care in partnership with parents.

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and outcomes for children

The daily routine is flexible to ensure that children's care needs are met. The childminder is able to engage them in activities and support their learning well through encouragement, praise and effective role modelling. Some observations of This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 children's achievements are made and photographs of children at play complement these. However, children's stages of development, for instance using development matters, are not fully considered to confirm their ongoing progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a variety of learning opportunities in the home, garden and within the local community. The childminder is skilled in recognising and harnessing opportunities to challenge and develop children's learning in every area, so feeding their enquiring minds. Activities are developed through their interests. For instance, a television programme introduced an idea to make fresh orange juice for a child's mother in order to boost her health. At toddler group he finds a juicer, and supported by his carer, uses his dexterity to squeeze the juice from the fruit. The activity is extended through a visit to local shops, where the child is encouraged to weigh and pay for some fruit to take home, so developing skills for the future. Children learn about the world around them, as they go for walks, observing the changes in the seasons. At the childminder's home they fill a basin and recreate the duck pond they have seen, floating a duck on the water.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident communicators. They constantly talk to the childminder and members of her family, involving them in their play and learning. They play imaginatively as they make tents in the travel cot. Older children take their younger playmate's needs into account, offering time in the tent for them to have a sleep or offering toys they might like to play with. They behave well, responding to the childminder's suggestions. They demonstrate an understanding of how to keep themselves safe as they tell the childminder the dangers of walking around and eating with their mouths open. Babies show their contentment, as the settle quickly to sleep in their pushchair. 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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