Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 28/01/2013 07/11/2011

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early years provision

This inspection: 2 Previous inspection: 2 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

 The childminder is skilled at developing good, trusting relationships with children so that they feel secure and relaxed in her care. They confide any anxieties they might have and she helps to address these.  Children are happy, excited and eager to learn and get involved. They behave well and show increasing levels of being able to concentrate and work independently.  The childminder provides a nurturing environment in which children form strong relationships and feel secure. They are well behaved and are developing independence skills through routine activities.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 The ways in which the childminder works with parents to share information about the setting to contribute to self-evaluation are not embedded.  There is scope to improve the childminder's monitoring of planning, as it is not always consistent enough to show that children remain challenged and interested in their activities at all times.

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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

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Information about this inspection

 scheduled more frequently where Ofsted identifies a need to do so, for example where provision was previously judged 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 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  scheduled 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 children in the main play area and discussed with the childminder how she supports children's learning and development.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at children's learning journeys, planning documentation, a selection of policies and children's records.

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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 1991 and is on the Early Years Register and on both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband in Winsford, Cheshire. The whole ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play.

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Information about the setting

There are currently four children on roll, three of whom are in the early years age group. Children attend for varying days and times. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools and pre-schools.

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

 help parents to consistently share their views on the provision, and use this information to contribute towards the self-evaluation, to drive improvement

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

 strengthen the monitoring of planning, so that it is consistent and thorough, to show that activities continually challenge and interest children.

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who attend

Children enjoy their time in the childminder's care. The partnership with parents is effective in ensuring children's needs are met, and she fully responds to parental requests in relation to welfare needs. The childminder establishes children's starting points with parents before they begin their time with her and she builds on children's interests well, establishing what toys and resources they like at the start of the day. She ensures these are readily available and used to support their learning. She observes children in their play, accurately assessing the learning taking place, using the 'Development Matters' as a guide. This enables her to plan activities that support children's ongoing development and plan for their next steps. This ensures that children are suitably challenged, motivated and develop a positive attitude to learning so that they are well prepared for their transition to school.

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who attend

Children enthusiastically explore their surroundings and the toys available. They make marks confidently as they colour in pictures or attempt to use scissors to cut out the picture. They talk about number, shape and patterns, expertly making the shape of triangles with their hands. They build towers and objects from construction sets and they are thrilled when they play catching butterflies in a game, which has nets and 'butterflies' blown into the air. Children's communication and language is fostered well as the childminder explains everything and has a continual discussion with children, so that they make connections in their learning. For example, they talk about birds in the garden and children demonstrate great interest in the world around them as they draw and colour pictures of birds in their play.

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who attend

Being outside is a regular feature of the children's day. They regularly go for walks to the local park to play on a wider range of equipment or run around. This helps to contribute to children's general well-being and physical development. The childminder generally provides an inclusive environment where all children are welcome. Various festivals are shared with children so that they are aware of different customs.

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who attend

Parents receive good quality information about the provision. They are encouraged to share information about their child when they first attend and on an ongoing basis so that children's individual needs are met effectively. Parents are well informed about welfare, achievements and progress of their children, so they are able to continue their learning at home.

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

The childminder makes sensitive interventions in children's play, but also expertly knows when to stand back and let them develop their own ideas and play. She takes an active role in their play as she makes suggestions to enhance or extend the activity. The childminder knows what children like playing with and ensures that those toys and resources are easily accessible. When engaging with children, she ensures she is at their level, maintaining eye contact with them, and they respond positively and with enthusiasm to her.

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

The childminder develops secure attachments with children, helping them to feel safe and valued in her care. Children's self-esteem is developing well as the childminder continually praises their efforts and achievements. Children show curiosity and listen to the childminder's explanations and instructions. Children are learning to live healthily. They participate in plenty of exercise as they enjoy playing outdoors in the fresh air every day. Children develop independence skills as they manage their own personal needs. They show confidence as they deal with their own care needs, independently visiting the bathroom. They learn good hygiene practices as they wash and dry their hands on individual towels or as they go to fetch a tissue to blow their nose. The childminder provides food and drink for children according to their individual dietary requirements.

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

The childminder helps the children to learn about keeping themselves safe. They practise the emergency evacuation procedure and talk about why it is only possible for a grown up to use a big knife or why it is important to sit on chairs properly. The childminder maintains all of the required paperwork for medication administration and accident recording. The childminder follows routines in consultation with the parents to ensure she meets and caters for their individual needs, which includes activities outside of the home. The childminder discusses with nursery and school staff the children's care routines and provides a summary of their learning capabilities, which helps to provide continuous care and learning for the children overall. The regular outings to places of interest in the community help children to develop confidence and independence in situations away from their setting, preparing them for good and positive transition into school or nursery as

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provision

The childminder has a good understanding of her role and responsibility to promote the safeguarding and welfare requirements. For example, toys, equipment and premises are appropriate for children and regularly checked. Risk assessments identify and eliminate any possible hazards to children. The childminder also has a good knowledge and understanding of child protection. She knows possible signs of abuse and understands the procedures to follow for any referrals. This means that children are safe and protected while at the childminding provision.

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provision

The childminder has attended appropriate training, such as the required local authority approved childminding training course and first aid. The childminder provides interesting learning opportunities and, consequently, children are confident and act independently in their surroundings. She discusses the educational programme with parents and uses assessment sheets which are devised to monitor children's learning and development. As a result, children's learning and development is effectively monitored. However, there is scope to improve the planning because it is not always consistent in order to positively ensure children remain challenged and interested in their play, for optimum learning.

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provision

Partnerships with parents and other agencies are well established and contribute well to meeting children's needs. The childminder understands the importance of working in partnership with parents; however, the views of parents and children have not contributed towards the self-evaluation. This means that the childminder has not fully developed an understanding of her strengths and areas for improvement for the future.

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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 action. 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 304154 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 901658 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 4

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Telephone number

set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: 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, which are usually the childminder’s 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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