Childminder in Cheshire EastOfsted inspection, 10 May 2012

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY436754 Inspection date 10/05/2012 Inspector Jan Linsdell

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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 2011. She lives with her husband and two children aged two and seven years old. The family live in Middlewich, Cheshire. All areas of the property 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 both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of four children under the age of eight years at any one time, of whom, two may be in the early years age group and of whom, one may be under one year old. She is currently minding one child in the early years age group, who attends on a part-time basis. The childminder 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

The childminder successfully implements systems to promote children's care, learning and development. She engages well with parents and carers to ensure that children's individual needs are fully met. All required records and policies to promote the safe management of the setting are in place and well maintained. Generally, arrangements for self-evaluation and partnership working with other settings are being developed. The childminder shows a strong ambition to develop her practice and maintain continuous improvement.

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further?

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

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further?

 build on self-evaluation systems, which take into account the views of parents, carers and children, in order to effectively identify the setting's strengths and priorities for development that will improve the quality of the provision for children  improve systems for maintaining a regular two-way flow of information between other early years providers, which children attend, such as school, to ensure continuity of care and learning.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a good understanding of the procedures for safeguarding children. She has attended safeguarding training and has developed effective policies to help keep children safe and protect them from harm. Comprehensive risk assessments and daily checks are carried out to ensure that the premises are This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 safe and secure. All required documentation to promote children's safety and welfare is well organised and maintained to a good standard.

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the early years provision

The childminder respects children as individuals and meets their needs well. She provides some resources and activities to promote positive images of diversity and to help raise children's awareness of other cultures and beliefs. Space is well organised and children have easy access to a good variety of play materials to support their learning and enjoyment.

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the early years provision

Arrangements for self-evaluation are developing quite well. The childminder is beginning to use the Ofsted self-evaluation form to reflect on her practice and identify some priorities for development. However, she is not yet using input from parents and children to inform this process. She has attended a variety of training since registration, which she has used to enhance her practice. She has also identified additional training for the future, which demonstrates a positive commitment to improvement.

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the early years provision

The childminder is working well with parents and carers. She develops open and honest relationships with them and keeps them well informed about all aspects of her practice and procedures. This ensures that children's individual needs are fully addressed. Systems for working in partnership with other early years settings the children attend are not yet fully developed. This makes it difficult for the childminder to fully promote continuity and progression in the children's care and learning.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder interacts positively with the children and promotes their learning and development well. This enables them to make good progress towards the early learning goals. Written plans and photographs show that children take part in an interesting range of activities to support their learning and enjoyment. The childminder observes the children regularly and completes summary reports of their progress across the six areas of learning. Parents are also invited to add their comments. This enables them to work closely with the childminder to positively support their child's ongoing development.

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and outcomes for children

Children visit play groups, where they socialise with other children and participate in activities, such as, crafts, singing and dancing. Their behaviour is good and they learn to share and take turns in their play. They also learn to be responsible when they help with small tasks, such as, preparing food or tidying up. Children develop their imagination when they dress-up and role play. They enjoy creative activities, such as, making edible sparklers for Bonfire night or making Chinese dragon masks for Chinese New Year. This helps them to become aware of their own and other cultures.

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and outcomes for children

Children practise their skills in reading, writing and spelling. They recognise and copy numbers up to 20 and they enjoy playing games, such as dominoes, which This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 encourages them to sort, match and problem solve. This helps them to develop skills for the future. Photographs show children enjoying simple experiments, such as creating a volcano. They take part in gardening activities and enjoy visiting the local canal to feed the ducks. Children use binoculars and magnifying glasses to look at various objects. For example, they enjoy searching the box of shredded paper to find different insects and there is much excitement when they discover an ant. This promotes their knowledge and understanding of the world.

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and outcomes for children

Children settle well and develop positive relationships with the childminder. They talk about dangers on outings and learn about road safety and stranger danger. This means that they develop an awareness of safety issues and boundaries. Children enjoy good health. They eat healthy snacks and meals, such as, breadsticks, fruit and home-made shepherds pie. Children follow good hygiene routines and they enjoy regular exercise, as they walk to and from school or play at the local park. They say their favourite activity is playing active games on the console. This encourages their fitness levels and physical skills. 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 3 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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