Childminder 304533

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 12/12/2012 10/11/2008

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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

 Children feel safe and secure with the childminder and she supports children to form secure attachments.  Children develop confidence and appropriate skills in independence as they choose from a wide range of toys and equipment.  The childminder prioritises children's safety and ensures that all aspects of her practice keep children protected from harm.

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It is not yet good because

 Observations and assessments of individual children lack some detail to enable the childminder to have an accurate understanding of what children can do and need to do next.  The range and quality of the opportunities for children to learn and extend their vocabulary during their early years is not strong enough.  Opportunities to involve parents in their children's learning by encouraging them to share their views and enhance children's development at home are supported well enough.

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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 (and shadow inspector) observed activities in the main playroom.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder at regular intervals throughout the inspection and made observations of the children present.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector checked documentation including policies and procedures, certificate of registration and insurance, and the setting's self-evaluation systems.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector gave feedback to the childminder about the outcome of the inspection.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1996. She lives with her husband in the Weaverham area of Northwich. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding purposes. There is a secure garden available for outdoor play. The family has a pet rabbit.

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Information about the setting

There are currently 14 children on roll aged from 16 months to 12 years. Of these, five are within the Early Years Foundation Stage. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities.

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must:

 improve observation and assessment of children's learning, so that there is a clear understanding of their levels of achievement and challenging learning experiences can be planned that support their next steps.

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

 encourage children's speaking by allowing time to follow their lead and have fun together while developing vocabulary

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

 encourage involvement by parents in their children's learning by encouraging them to share their views and enhance children's development at home.

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who attend

Children are making satisfactory progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder is developing ways to track and monitor the children's development but the assessment of each child's progress across all seven areas of learning in relation to their age and stage of development is not always used consistently to plan appropriate challenges. Each child has a documented learning journey, which is accompanied by a useful pictorial account of their time at the setting, which parents appreciate. However, they do not give the childminder, or any future provider, precise information about what children know and can do in order to plan the next steps in their progress. As a result, some activities, such those which further extend their vocabulary for speaking, are not supported well enough.

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who attend

Children are self-confident and happily explore their surroundings. They know where the resources are stored and access them freely, developing their decision-making skills and freedom of choice from an early age. Overall, children's learning and development is in line with the expected developmental ranges for their age groups. Consequently, children are obtaining the skills, attitudes and dispositions they need to be ready for school or the next stage of learning overall. Children begin to understand simple technology in the world by being interested in simple mechanisms and how to operate them. They use a range of toys and practise pushing buttons and pulling switches to operate them. They move happily and confidently around the setting, beginning to express themselves through actions and sounds they make. The childminder understands the things that interest them and makes sure they are available to shape their learning.

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who attend

There are lots of labels around the home which identify everyday objects and encourage children to recognise that print carries meaning. Children understand that things exist, even when out of sight, successfully searching a box to find some items. The childminder is attentive and responds well to the children. She interacts warmly with them by sitting on the floor so that she is at eye level, participating fully in their chosen activities, praising them and offering encouragement as they try new things. They enjoy listening to rhymes and move to the sound of music playing, as they begin to express themselves creatively. Children have opportunities to use a range of different media and textures to create their own ideas and express themselves, for example, in messy play or during opportunities to make marks through art. There are opportunities to practise early writing skills and these are displayed on walls or in their learning journeys, so that children understand their work

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who attend

is valued. Children show affection for people who are special to them, enjoying cuddles which the childminder gives to them.

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

Children are happy and settled in the care of the childminder who knows the children and their families well, and provides a welcoming and caring environment. She gathers and records all relevant information from parents about the children's welfare and care routines to ensure she meets their individual needs. She provides a stimulating play and learning environment in which the children are confident to explore their surroundings. They develop confidence and independence as they choose from a wide range of toys and equipment and they concentrate on chosen activities for long periods of time, with some support from the childminder. Children know where things are and self-select activities and resources from the low-level storage units and boxes. For example, picking out building blocks or toy cars in which they are interested from a storage box on the floor. Children form positive relationships with the childminder and their self-esteem and

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

confidence is growing because of the praise and encouragement she gives to them as they achieve in their efforts. They show how safe they feel in her care by going to her for cuddles and reassurance if they need it.

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

Children's personal, social and emotional skills are developing successfully because the childminder has a good understanding of the children's developmental steps and provides activities, both at the setting and in the local area, to ensure they continue to make progress across most areas of learning. Children enjoy healthy and nutritious snacks as the childminder introduces the concept of healthy eating from an early age. Children independently access drinking cups to drink fresh water when they need it. They enjoy outdoor activities and experiences daily to develop their understanding of the world around them. They use the local parks and enjoy walks as they explore the surrounding community. Children behave well because the childminder implements clear rules and boundaries consistently. As a result, children are learning about right and wrong and understand the childminder's expectations of them during their time with her.

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provision

The childminder has a sound knowledge of how to provide a suitable learning environment in line with the revised Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage. She has continued to build and extend on her training opportunities in a number of areas and is currently completing an early years degree to enhance her practice. All of the required documentation that is required for the safe and efficient management of the setting is in place. She has a full written safeguarding policy in place, which she shares with parents. Safeguarding procedures are effective because the childminder has a clear understanding of child protection procedures and knows how to implement them to protect the children in her care. There are arrangements in place to obtain advice, guidance or support should she be concerned about a child's welfare. The childminder completes risk assessments to ensure children benefit from a safe and secure play and learning environment.

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provision

The childminder undertakes some self-evaluation to identify ways to improve her provision. For example, evaluating some activities, but this is not always rigorous enough to identify all of her strengths or areas for improvement, such as how to further involve parents in their children's learning by encouraging them to share their views and enhance children's development at home. She has a strong relationship with parents because there is a two-way flow of information about children's needs and daily routines which is written in a daily diary. Parents are able to talk to the childminder each day and have access to their children's progress records.

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provision

The childminder records all personal information and details about the children in individual files which are securely kept. She is aware of the importance of partnership working with other agencies or providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage to ensure consistency of care, play and learning when children begin to attend other settings. The childminder has a positive relationship with schools to support children in her care, attending meetings in order to support their 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 304533 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 818716 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 14

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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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