Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17/09/2013 29/03/2012

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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 regularly observes children's abilities and uses these to plan next steps in their learning. She is successful in encouraging children's independence and curiosity by linking activities to their current interests.  The childminder builds strong relationships with the children, ensuring she is in tune with their requirements for rest, refreshment and activity. This allows their needs to be met and maximises their ability to benefit from the learning activities that are provided.  The childminder is very supportive of parents, providing help and advice when necessary to further develop, safe, purposeful environments for children.  The childminder is committed to providing a good service to children and their families. She seeks out training and professional development opportunities to ensure she has the best levels of specialist knowledge to meet children's needs. This has a positive

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This provision is good

effect on the quality of the environment and the learning activities she provides for children.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 There is scope to expand information gathered from parents about their child's abilities at home when children first start to attend, to inform the planning of activities.  There is scope to further develop the range of activities that children can experience in the garden in order to maximise outdoor learning opportunities, with regard to the investigation of growth, decay and changes over time.

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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 activities in the main downstairs rooms.

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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 undertook a joint observation with the childminder during the morning.

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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.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector took account of the views of parents from information included in the setting's own parent survey.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 2001. She is registered on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and three adult family members in a house in Blacon, Chester. The whole of the ground floor and the enclosed front garden are used for childminding. The family has a cat and a dog as pets. The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and parks on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools.

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Information about the setting

There are currently two children on roll, both of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays. She is prepared to be flexible about times depending on the needs of the family. She is an active member of two local childminding groups and a member of the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years.

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

 expand the information gathered from parents at the start of care, about their child's abilities at home to further enhance planning of children's learning experiences

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

 develop further the use of the outside play space by utilising the potential for children to discover things about growth, decay and changes over time, such as planting and caring for plants.

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who attend

The childminder has a good knowledge of the learning and development requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage which is based on her active use of supporting documents which help her assess children's progress. This supports her ability to provide a range of interesting activities for children which provides them with challenges and opportunities to develop their skills and understanding. She carefully plans the transition from home to the childminding setting through introductory visits to the child's home as well as the child visiting her home. She gathers information about the children's care routines from parents at the start of each placement. Some information about their abilities are also gathered but these tends to focus on personal, social and emotional issues and physical abilities. Therefore, there is scope to expand the exchange of information with parents to develop a wider understanding of children's abilities at home

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who attend

in the specific areas of learning, to fully extend learning opportunities at the very start of the placement.

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who attend

The childminder shares information about what the children have done each day with parents through discussion and use of daily diaries for some children. Parents can also see the individual diary which is used to record children's development. This provides an opportunity for the childminder and the parents to develop a shared understanding of what the child needs to progress with next and how that can be supported both by the childminder and at home. Therefore, this supports children to develop the key skills required for the next step in their learning and ultimately their transition to school. The childminder is organised in the way she plans activities each week to link in with children's next steps in learning as well as widening their horizons to include other topics. For example, she extends children knowledge of the world and the local community by regular trips out to the local zoo or children's groups. There is scope to expand children's

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who attend

understanding of the world further with regard to nature and how things grow and decay over time.

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who attend

Children are making good progress in their language and communication skills as the childminder supports younger children to build an understanding of what is being said through one sided conversation and providing them with simple choices. She is very aware where children's speaking skills need additional support, for example, where more than one language is spoken at home. Children share books with the childminder and experience the enjoyment of making marks and being creative with pencils and paints. Their understanding of volume, shape and size is developed through activities, such as cooking or playing with sand. The childminder extends children play by providing additional equipment. For example, the addition of a blanket turns a construction activity into an imaginative game as the structure becomes a den to hide in.

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

The childminder aims to support the whole family, through building strong relationships with the children and their parents. Children's physical requirements for food and rest are addressed through clear routines, which are negotiated with parents. This allows young children to understand what is going to happen next and feel secure that their needs will be satisfied, which gives them confidence to join in with play and learning activities and settle quickly to sleep at rest times. The childminder provides snacks and meals which are freshly prepared and include a range of fruits and vegetables. The children enjoy practising their self-care skills when getting ready to go outside, they also start to understand about safety issues. They develop a growing awareness of road safety issues as they regularly practise walking safely around the local area. They have regular access to the outside play space and local parks and develop a positive attitude to exercise in the

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

fresh air. The childminder manages the children's behaviour in a positive way. Where children are unsettled she uses distraction and her knowledge of their interests. She addresses their physical needs well, for example, because she recognises that they are hungry or tired. Children's successes, for example, in creating a sandcastle are celebrated which boosts their self-esteem. Close links with the local community provide opportunities for children to visit local schools and take part in group activities at the children's centre. This shows that although mainly young children in the Early Years Foundation Stage attend at the present time, clear plans are in place to ensure children of all ages will make good progress in developing skills for the future and the transition to school when the time comes.

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provision

Children are safeguarded well because the childminder has an exceptionally clear understanding of the signs that may cause her concern. She fully understands the importance of her role in protecting children, of the importance of keeping clear records of any concerns she may have and quickly accessing help and advice should that become necessary. She has undertaken a number of courses to update and extend her understanding of safeguarding issues. The childminder has a good awareness of risks both on the premises and when on trips out. She works well to mitigate risks and encourage children to become aware of how to keep themselves safe. She has provided advice to parents about risks in their homes to help improve all environments children are exposed to.

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provision

The childminder has all policies and records required by the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Statutory framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage available for use and inspection. She has successfully recorded children's progress for the 'progress check at age two'. The childminder evaluates her provision and since the last inspection she has made changes to develop and improve her learning and development record keeping and the recording of visitors. She has undertaken training sessions which help her meet the children's needs and meets up with other childcare providers to exchange best practice ideas. She has gathered parents views on her provision to inform her decisions about any changes she is planning.

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provision

The childminder is proactive in building good partnerships with parents. Communication is developed through talking with parents each day, which means they are able to discuss issues, such as behaviour management. She makes time to talk with parents after the childminding day where this is more appropriate. Parents are encouraged to provide information about their child which helps the childminder ensure continuity in the children's care between the home and the childminder. Contracts and written policies, such as the complaints policy and behaviour policy, are shared with all parents, which gives them a further insight into how their child's care is organised. The childminder develops links with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage who also care for the children to ensure she can pass on information which will support the child's transition between environments. These links also help her gather a rounded view of the child's

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provision

progress and next steps in learning. She understands the importance of forming links with other provisions and professionals to ensure a coordinated service for any children she cares for with special educational needs and/or disabilities. This ensures that all children have their needs met appropriately.

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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 304728 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 931586 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 2

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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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