Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 25/09/2012 Not Applicable

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: Not Applicable How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children 2 The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision 2

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This provision is good

 Children feel safe and secure with the childminder who provides a caring, child-friendly environment where children have familiar and consistent routines. Young children are given the time and support to form appropriate bonds and secure attachments with the childminder and her co-childminder.  The childminder has a good understanding of how to promote the health and safety of the children in her care. Children take part in a wide range of activities that help them make good progress in their learning and development.  The childminder has positive relationships with parents. They are kept well-informed via e-mails and a daily chat book about their child's day.  The childminder is competent at helping children develop their communication and language skills and helping them build on their vocabulary and making sentences.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Opportunities for children to play co-operative games have not been fully embraced  Opportunities for children to make meaningful connections in their learning have not been fully introduced.

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Information about this inspection

Inspections of registered early years provision are scheduled:  at least once in every inspection cycle. The current cycle ends on 31 July 2016  more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged as inadequate  brought forward in the inspection cycle where Ofsted has received information that suggests the provision may not be meeting the legal requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage; or where assessment of the provision identifies a need for early inspection  prioritised for inspection where we have received information that the provision is not meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and which suggests children may not be safe  at the completion of an investigation into failure to comply with the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Information about this inspection

The provision is also registered on the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. This report includes a judgment about compliance with the requirements of that register.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed activities in the lounge and the playroom.  The inspector held discussions with the two childminders.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked evidence of suitability and qualifications of the childminder, the childminder's self-evaluation form.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2012. She lives with her husband in Chester and co- childminds with her daughter, from her daughter's house. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding together with an upstairs bathroom and bedroom. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools. The family has a rabbit as a pet.

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Information about the setting

There are currently five children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom, attend on a part-time basis. 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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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 extend opportunities for children to play alongside others and play co-operative games

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To further improve the quality of the early years provision the provider should:

 encourage children to make further connections in their learning by extending activities, such as when making animal models with the play dough.

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who attend

The childminder provides a good range of activities and experiences that interest the children and cover the seven areas of learning well. She has a secure knowledge of how to promote the learning and development of young children and fully recognises that they learn through play. Children are encouraged to be independent as they tidy away the toys and are encouraged to tie their own shoe laces, so they are supported to have the key skills needed for the next steps in their learning.

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who attend

Children's language development is well-promoted through regular conversations during play activities. As they freely approach the childminder with a book, she asks if they want her to read it. They respond by saying 'yes please', so using good manners and showing respect for others. As she reaches for her glasses she explains to the children what she is doing and why, so providing a running commentary to help them understand. She reads the story with intonation, so children remain interested and she encourages them to repeat individual words, so they are beginning to form short sentences. As they explore, prod, roll and squeeze the play dough they develop their fine motor skills. The childminder encourages the children to name the different colours of the play dough and gently encourages them to count the number of pieces. When they count six she asks what number comes next and they readily respond by saying seven. This helps children to

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who attend

understand about simple number problems. As they make different animals with the play dough the childminder does not fully extend their thinking by encouraging them to make connections in their learning, by offering stories or songs about these animals. They are supported to make marks with pens, pencils and crayons on the paper and learn about sounds as the childminder talks about initial sounds of words, such as snakes. They play imaginatively as they put different hats on. They engage in a wide range of physical activities both indoors and outdoors, such as threading the shapes, dancing, marching and going for local walks.

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who attend

The childminder has yet to implement the progress check at age two but she is able to identify what the children in her care are able to do. She completes regular observations and assessments on the children and uses these effectively to plan suitably challenging activities to ensure children make good progress in their learning and development. As a result, children are generally working comfortably within the typical range of development expected for their age. Children's starting points, observations and assessments are recorded in their learning journeys which parents are able to access and add their comments to if they wish, so aiding partnership working.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children form secure attachments to the childminder. The childminder has a warm and affectionate approach and is responsive to children's needs. When children wake up they are comforted by the childminder who strokes their hair and snuggles them in until they feel settled. They confidently explore the environment which supports their all-round development as they move from room to room. They freely approach the childminder and ask for help to get the paper and crayons out. She takes time to talk to each child individually throughout the day so children feel they are special and valued. She uses lots of praise and reassurance with the children helping to raise their self-esteem. She acts as a good role model in her respectful interactions with the children and others. Children are helped to understand that learning to share is important and are given clear guidance on acceptable behaviour. They are beginning to understand about playing co-operative

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

games but further opportunities to encourage children to play together to help their social development are not always fully explored.

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The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children

Children develop good self-care skills as they are encouraged to regularly wash their hands. They are encouraged to develop healthy lifestyles as they are offered healthy options and are encouraged to be involved in the choosing and preparation of the food. They plant pumpkin seeds, tend to these and watch them grow, so learning about where food comes from and how to care for living things. They go for daily walks to the nature reserve, benefiting from the fresh air and exercise this provides. They take regular trips to the large play equipment at the local park, so gaining an understanding of the need for physical exercise. The childminder's takes the children on regular outings to the library, soft play areas and the farm. This helps children to develop confidence, independence and social skills. This helps them to prepare for the next stage in their life, such as attendance at another setting.

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provision

The childminder shows a good commitment to continuous improvement and together with her co-childminder she constantly reflects on the provision and identifies areas for improvement. She attends training on child care matters in order to help improve her skills and practice. Children's welfare is well-promoted as the childminder has a clear understanding of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. She attends relevant child protection training and is aware of reporting procedures and where to seek advice if she has concerns about a child. She works closely with her co-childminder to complete regular risk assessments to help keep children safe. Children are also encouraged to complete their own mini risk assessments for activities, such as using scissors. The setting is child-friendly, warm and welcoming. The childminder is familiar with her responsibilities in relation to the learning and development requirements and has spent some time familiarising herself with the new

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provision

revised framework, so she can ensure the educational programme covers all seven areas of learning.

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provision

The children enjoy continuity of care because the childminder works closely with parents. She encourages parents to provide children's routines and care needs so she can ensure consistency of care by adhering to these. She provides parents with a daily chat book and e-mails so they know all about their child's day. Newsletters are offered to parents to ensure they are kept informed of what topics and activities the children will be taking part in. Weekly menus are sent to parents, so they know what their children are eating and can advise if there are any foods that their children do not enjoy. The childminder develops good relationships with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage to help ensure continuity in children's care, learning and development.

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The Childcare Register

The requirements for the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are Met The requirements for the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are Met

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Grade Judgement Description

Grade 1 Outstanding Outstanding provision is highly effective in meeting the needs of all children exceptionally well. This ensures that children are very well prepared for the next stage of their learning. Grade 2 Good Good provision is effective in delivering provision that meets the needs of all children well. This ensures children are ready for the next stage of their learning. Grade 3 Satisfactory Satisfactory provision is performing less well than expectations in one or more of the key areas. It requires improvement in order to be good. Grade 4 Inadequate Provision that is inadequate requires significant improvement and/or enforcement. The provision is failing to give children an acceptable standard of early years education and/or is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be inspected again within 12 months of the date of this inspection.

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Grade Judgement Description

Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not Met The provision has no children on roll. The inspection judgement is that the provider does not meet the requirements for registration.

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Inspection

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of provision that is registered on the Early Years Register. The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and care, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY443643 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 794284 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 0 Total number of places 8 Number of children on roll 0

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection Not applicable

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted', which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk.

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Type of provision

For the purposes of this inspection the following definitions apply:

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Type of provision

Full-time provision is that which operates for more than three hours. These are usually known as nurseries, nursery schools and pre-schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the higher fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Sessional provision operates for more than two hours but does not exceed three hours in any one day. These are usually known as pre-schools, kindergartens or nursery schools and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. They are registered on the Early Years Register and pay the lower fee for registration.

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Type of provision

Childminders care for one or more children where individual children attend for a period of more than two hours in any one day. They operate from domestic premises that are usually their own home. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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Type of provision

Out of school provision may be sessional or full-time provision and is delivered before or after school and/or in the summer holidays. They are registered on the Early Years Register and must deliver the Early Years Foundation Stage. Where children receive their Early Years Foundation Stage in school these providers do not have to deliver the learning and development requirements in full but should complement the experiences children receive in school. 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,

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Type of provision

If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 0300 123 4234, 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. To receive regular email alerts about new publications, including survey reports and school inspection reports, please visit our website and go to ‘Subscribe’.

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Type of provision

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk

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