Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY434583 Inspection date 10/07/2012 Inspector Adelaide Griffith

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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 2012. She works at the setting of her co- childminder who lives with her partner, and two adult children. They live in Crewe not far from the town centre. The whole of the ground floor of the property is 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 cats.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time of whom no more than two may be in the early years age range. There is currently one child attending who is within this age range and attends on a part-time basis. When working with a co-childminder they may care for a maximum of eight children under eight years at any one time.

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Description of the childminding

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.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is satisfactory.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

On the whole, children make steady progress in their learning and development from their starting points. Children's welfare is generally safeguarded and the childminder works effectively with parents to address children's individual needs. The self-evaluation process is developing and some changes are implemented to the childminder's practice to improve the provision for children. She identifies how her professional development will improve outcomes for children. The childminder is aware of the importance of sharing information with other providers when children attend other settings.

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further?

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

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further?

 review and improve procedures to ensure information from observations is used to plan consistently for the next step in children's learning  ensure that parents have regular opportunities to add to children's records  review quality improvement processes in the setting - recognising how these processes can extend effective practices.

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the early years provision

The childminder has a sound understanding of procedures to be followed if she has concerns about abuse relating to the children in the setting. She appropriately This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 implements procedures to safeguard children's welfare and to maintain their safety. For example, fire drills are practised regularly. All documents for the smooth running of the setting are suitably used and available for inspection.

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the early years provision

The strong partnership with parents is underpinned by clear communication. A dedicated website is accessible for parents who wish to use this electronic method to obtain information. Copies of menus, procedures and policies are displayed in the setting where they are readily visible. This ensures parents have on-going access to information about how the care of their children is organised. The childminder communicates daily with parents about what children do and effectively implements procedures for children's individual care as agreed with parents.

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the early years provision

The childminder identifies strengths of the setting such as children's enjoyment when they attend. She has taken steps to manage her professional development and is currently undertaking a course at National Vocational Qualification level 3. The childminder believes that her increasing understanding of child development will result in her being able to more effectively support the children. The childminder has made a few changes to her practice since registration, for example, reviewing the way observations are made. However, these steps have not yet resulted in marked improvements in the planning for children's learning. The childminder demonstrates reasonable capacity to maintain some improvements.

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the early years provision

Toys are well organised with many arranged in low-level baskets to enable children to access them independently. The environment is welcoming with child-friendly and age-appropriate resources, some of which reflect diversity. The childminder is aware of the importance of sharing information if children attend other early years providers to ensure continuity in learning is maintained.

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and outcomes for children

Children are confident in the setting and move around freely as they explore the environment. They effectively develop skills in walking and co-ordination. The childminder promotes their good health by providing healthy options. Meal times are social occasions when children sit at low tables with others and eat a selection of fresh fruit, vegetables and pitta bread with appropriate fillings. They clearly develop self-help skills as they feed themselves with food and drink. The childminder manages behaviour well by talking to children and using age- appropriate strategies. They are responsive to her calming voice as she comforts them when they are fractious. Consequently, children feel secure and form strong bonds of attachment that contribute to their contentment.

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and outcomes for children

Children are provided with a suitable range of activities which promote their learning. The childminder makes observations of children's play and records these in the learning journey. She uses some of the information to help children progress through some group play activities, for example, singing nursery rhymes. However, observations do not identify all aspects of learning and the next steps are not This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 consistently included to ensure that all further development is systematically planned for. The childminder shares information about children's learning with parents to ensure they are suitably informed. For instance, they have opportunities to look at learning journeys and discuss observations with the childminder. However, as yet they have not actively participated in the process of identifying the learning intentions and contributing to the learning journey. Consequently, the

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and outcomes for children

shared focus for children's learning is not developed to indicate how the partnership contributes to children's progress.

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and outcomes for children

Children are able to explore with their senses different objects such as soft, knitted fruit. They are beginning to vocalise and the childminder encourages the development of speech by talking to them constantly. Books are used fairly well during story time and children are encouraged to join in with some actions. Consequently, the foundations for the future learning are largely developing. Children are safe in the setting because some procedures are in place such as the daily checks of the premises. 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 3 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 3

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 3 The extent to which children feel safe 3 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 3

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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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