Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 08/11/2012 15/04/2010

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early years provision

This inspection: 3 Previous inspection: 3 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 3

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This provision is satisfactory

 Warm relationships between the childminder and children ensure they are confident and happy to engage in the range of experiences which are available to them both in the childminder's home and local community.  Children are provided with a well-resourced learning environment that enables children to independently make choices about their learning and use their own initiative.  The childminder has a sound understanding of how to promote the health and safety of the children in her care. She has assessed the risks to her premises satisfactorily and has taken action to ensure children are safe.

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It is not yet good because

 Assessments of what children can do are not routinely used to plan the next steps in children's learning to support children's ongoing progress.  Parental observations and contributions to children's learning are not incorporated into the assessments of children's developmental progress.  Self-evaluation processes are not rigorously used to improve the practice further.

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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 main downstairs room and in the outdoor area.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at appropriate times throughout the observations.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's assessment records and planning documentation and a selection of policies and children's records.  The inspector spoke with a parent regarding their feedback on the provision.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1990. She lives in Nantwich, close to shops, parks and schools. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder's home is used for childminding and children have access to a large enclosed outside area. She has three cats as pets.

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Information about the setting

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder is currently minding four children in the early years age group and she also cares for children over five years.

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Information about the setting

The childminder attends toddler groups in the local community and takes and collects children from the local school and pre-school.

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must:

 improve systems to monitor children's progress across all areas and use this information more consistently to plan for children's next step in learning.

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

 use parents' observations and contributions, as well as information shared with other settings to help inform planning and assessment

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

 develop the system for self-evaluation to include the views of parents and children and clearly identify areas for improvement.

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who attend

The children benefit from a childminder who has considerable experience in providing home-based childcare. She has a satisfactory knowledge of the learning and development requirements and provides children with play opportunities based on their individual needs and interests. The childminder knows the children well and has a sufficient understanding of how to support children's learning styles; for example, children who are interested in filling and emptying are provided with boxes and bags to collect items of interest around the home. Information from parents about children's care needs and prior learning are gathered before they attend, which enables the childminder to plan a routine to support these needs. However, observations from home are not routinely used to inform planning and make accurate plans for their development, which limits opportunities for parents to be involved in children's learning. Current systems to monitor children's progress are not

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who attend

effectively used to support children's development in all areas of learning. Some small observations, supported by photographs have been collected which gives an overview of developing skills but these are not consistently used to plan appropriate activities. The childminder has yet to implement the progress check at age two but is generally able to identify what the children in her care are able to do in relation to the prime areas. Children's communication skills are promoted well through regular conversations in play and care situations, and their language development is within the developmental milestones for their age. The warm interaction with the childminder and a well-resourced learning environment help children to make connections in their experiences. For example, children use their imagination to recreate everyday situations, such as shopping and meal times and they persevere in putting coins into a purse and pushing buttons on an

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who attend

electronic toaster. Children have access to age-appropriate books and enjoy joining in with their favourite story repeating words and sounds made by the childminder. Children have daily opportunities to develop their physical skills. They have access to a well-resourced outdoor area where they confidently manoeuvre wheeled toys and use a ball to knock down skittles to develop their coordination. This is enhanced by visits to the park and soft play area in the local community.

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

Children benefit from a close relationship with the childminder. Young children demonstrate that they feel safe and secure as they confidently explore the environment with the reassurance that the childminder is close by for support when needed. An accessible learning environment encourages children to become independent learners and self-care skills are also promoted throughout the daily routine.

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

Effective techniques are used for managing children's behaviour. From a young age, children are made aware of the 'house rules' and consequently, children are respectful and responsive to the childminder when she encourages them to sit at the table when eating or use toys and equipment appropriately. The childminder regularly celebrates children's achievements. She uses praise and encouragement during activities and shows that she values their efforts through displaying their work around the home. As a result, children display confidence and good levels of self-esteem.

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

The current arrangements for the children cared for means that the childminder is not responsible for providing their meals. However, she has a clear understanding of the need to provide well-balanced meals and snacks for children. The implementation of clear procedures about personal hygiene and hygiene of the home allow children to enjoy a clean and healthy environment. Young children are developing healthy habits as they are supported to wash and dry their hands before meal times to reduce the spread of germs.

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

The childminder's regular outings to local groups help children to develop their confidence and independence in situations away from their main care setting. This supports children with future transitions, such as attending other settings and school.

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provision

The childminder utilises the support from the local authority childminder coordinator and other childminders to improve her knowledge of statutory requirements. She has accessed some training, including safeguarding, first aid and the Early Years Foundation Stage but recognises that some further training would help in delivering the educational programme. The childminder uses the local authority self-evaluation document to grade the quality of her provision but does not use this to systematically tackle areas for improvement.

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provision

The childminder has addressed all of the actions from her last inspection. She has a good understanding of her responsibilities for safeguarding children; this is clearly documented in the recently updated written policy, which has been shared and signed by parents. She has attended relevant training and is able to clearly outline the signs of abuse and the procedures for reporting concerns. The childminder maintains a safe and secure home. Visitors are required to sign in and out of the home, and there are comprehensive risk assessments in place which are reviewed on an annual basis to keep children safe both in the childminders home and out in the community. The childminder helps children to understand how to keep safe through having clear rules and discussions with children about road safety. She cares for a number of children of varying ages; however, documentation has been implemented to ensure that the childminder is always adhering

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provision

The childminder has established effective working relationships with parents through informal communication about their child's day, including providing information from other providers. A system for recording complaints from parents has been implemented; however, there are no other opportunities for parents to provide feedback about her service which can be used to plan future improvements. During the inspection, parents comment that the childminder provides a 'home from home' environment where children feel relaxed and happy. They also feel that the childminder is sensitive to any issues which children are dealing with at home and at school and can effectively support children's emotional well-being. The childminder has developed good links with the other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage who also care for the children she looks after. She is aware of what the children are learning in these settings and occasionally follows this up

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provision

with activities in her home; for example, a number line is displayed to support older children in the Foundation Stage with counting and recognising numbers to 10. However, opportunities to share additional information with regard to children's progress, in order for her to fully complement children's learning, have not been fully explored.

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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 304077 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 818704 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 4 - 3 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 10

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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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