Childminder in Cheshire East

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 07/10/2014 18/01/2012

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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 has a good understanding of how to safeguard children. Rigorous daily checks of the premises are completed and she has a clear understanding of the possible indicators of abuse to ensure children are protected while in her care.  Partnerships with parents are strong. The childminder works closely with them to ensure the individual needs of children are met.  Children enjoy a wide range of activities that have breadth and depth across the seven areas of learning. These, together with good quality teaching, means that children make good progress in their learning.  The childminder demonstrates a commitment to making continuous improvements. Therefore, she effectively prioritises aspects of her practice to develop that will benefit children the most.

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It is not yet outstanding because

 Younger children do not always have the independence to choose their own resources and activities throughout the day.  Babies have fewer opportunities to use everyday resources and items that they can use in a variety of ways, to develop their imagination.

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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 had a tour of the childminder's home.  The inspector observed the childminder while she interacted with the children.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector looked at some records and documentation, including the children's developmental records and the childminder's policies and procedures.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector talked at length with the childminder about her practice and checked evidence of the suitability of the childminder and other adults in the household.

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Information about the setting

The childminder was registered in 1996 on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She lives with her husband and adult child in a house in Middlewich. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and there is an enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder attends a toddler group and activities at the local children's centre. She visits the shops and park on a regular basis. She collects children from the local schools and pre-schools. There are currently six children on roll, two of whom are in the early years age group and attend for a variety of sessions. She also offers care to children aged over five years. She operates all year round from 7am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, except bank holidays and family holidays.

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

 enhance children's ability to make independent choices, for example, by providing younger children with opportunities to choose their own resources and activities throughout the day

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

 extend play opportunities for babies to explore using all of their senses by, for example, offering more resources and everyday items, which can be used in a variety of ways to develop their imagination.

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who attend

The childminder is knowledgeable about the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage and fully understands the need to promote children's learning and development through play and carefully planned activities. She gains a wealth of information about the children and their starting points through meetings with their parents and during settling- in sessions. She completes baseline assessments and records information about children's interests, development and care needs. The childminder makes sure that activities are developmentally appropriate through effective use of observation and purposeful assessments. She uses this information well to plan individual next steps in learning for children, to promote their future learning. The childminder tracks children's progress across all areas of learning. She uses this information to highlight any gaps in their learning and is well aware of appropriate procedures to seek additional support, if

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who attend

required. Children's progress is evident and they are developing skills and confidence in all areas of learning, in particular the prime areas. This provides a firm foundation for their future learning and ensures that children are acquiring the necessary skills and dispositions for learning to be ready for school. Parents are able to view their children's learning journal at any time and the childminder makes time each day to talk to them about their child's day. The childminder welcomes parents' contributions about their children's learning and development. For example, she regularly sends home their learning journal and includes a parent feedback sheet. The childminder provides children with interesting, stimulating and age-appropriate activities. A good choice of resources are available and these are presented for children, without being overwhelming. However, there are times when younger children have limited access to

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who attend

choose their own resources for an activity. Children's independence and exploration are promoted and resources are mainly within easy reach. However, there is scope to further develop the use of more open-ended and natural resources, in particular for babies, to allow them even more opportunities to be active explorers and further develop their senses and imagination. Children have good opportunities to develop their physical skills, as they run and jump on the spacious grass area and help the childminder with gardening tasks. They are also taken on regular outings in the local community and to the nearby park. This further develops their physical skills and knowledge and understanding of the world.

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who attend

The childminder plays with children at their level, to focus and engage their attention and enhance their learning. Children love books and this is fostered well by the childminder. She sits comfortably with the children and expressively reads their favourite stories. She emphasises the rhyming words and initial sounds and points to the pictures, promoting and reinforcing children's learning and vocabulary. Additionally, she introduces mathematical language as she discusses size, shapes and quantities. As a result, children's understanding of these concepts is extended.

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

Children are very happy and settled, which helps them to form positive relationships and secure attachments with the childminder. She creates a warm, welcoming and stimulating environment for the children, which effectively supports their emotional well-being. There are good settling-in procedures and the childminder works closely with parents during this time to share significant information about the children. As a result, children are well supported when they first start to attend, as the childminder provides them with familiar and consistent routines. Children display confidence in their surroundings and they are eager to play and learn in this welcoming home. The childminder sits with them as they play and shows a genuine interest in what they are doing. She is attentive towards their needs and children feel happy to approach her for reassurance.

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

Children have access to a clean and suitably organised environment. The room is set up so that the older children can independently access a wide range of toys and activities, though the younger children, particularly babies, have more limited access. These include resources which positively reflect difference and diversity. Children have access to a wide range of resources that are safe, clean and age-appropriate. The childminder has a calm manner and treats children with kindness and respect. She is a good role model and uses a consistent approach in dealing with unwanted behaviour. The childminder has realistic expectations of children and rules and boundaries set are age-appropriate. As a result, children are responsive and behave very well. The childminder supports children's awareness of keeping themselves safe. For example, she sensitively explains to children how to sit well at the table while they eat. Regular evacuation practices and discussions

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

about road safety while out and about, further contribute to children's understanding of keeping themselves safe. Children are happy, inquisitive and show good levels of self- esteem, which is building a firm foundation for their future learning and moves to other settings, such as nursery or school.

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

The good health of children is successfully supported by the childminder. She gives clear messages about the importance of leading healthy lifestyles. For instance, the childminder provides children with an array of fresh fruits and vegetables as snacks. Also, she works closely with parents to ensure the meals they provide are healthy and nutritious and are in line with her healthy eating policy. Children benefit from fresh air because the childminder ensures they have daily access to the outdoors and they enjoy regular outings in the local community. Children manage their personal hygiene well, according to their age and stage of development. For example, children use the toilet and wash their hands with little need for direct support from the childminder. The childminder encourages younger children to develop good hygiene habits, such as wiping their hands with wet wipes before and after meals and snacks. The childminder has created cosy spaces. For instance, on the sofa

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

there are cushions and blankets available, so that children can relax, enjoy quiet time or have a sleep.

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provision

Children's safety is very well promoted because the childminder is knowledgeable of the safeguarding and welfare requirements. She uses effective risk assessments for her home and outings. This means that she minimises hazards and maintains a safe environment for children. The childminder maintains effective records for each child. She has completed safeguarding training and she is aware of the signs and symptoms that would alert her to any child protection issues. In addition, she is confident about the action she would take if she had concerns about a child in her care. Consequently, she knows how to protect children from potential harm. There is a clear safeguarding policy, which also provides guidance on the use of mobile telephones and cameras. The childminder is aware of her responsibilities when administering medicine and holds a valid first-aid certificate. She fully understands her role in protecting children. For example, all members of her family have

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provision

had suitability checks carried out. The childminder's documentation is extremely well organised, ready for inspection and it underpins her practice well. This, together with a good range of policies and procedures and her diligence with regards to safety, means that children are protected.

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provision

The childminder has shown a dedicated approach towards improving her practice and providing good quality care and education for the children. She has a good knowledge of observation and assessment and uses this well to provide effective educational programmes that cover all areas of learning. Children are motivated as they take part in meaningful learning experiences tailored to their individual needs. The childminder monitors the curriculum and tracks children's development in all areas of learning, as they make progress towards the early learning goals. The childminder has attended training and demonstrates a desire to drive forward continuous improvement to the service she provides. She reflects on her own strengths and weaknesses and seeks the views of parents, children and other professionals to support her practice. As a result, parents and children feel listened to and she is making the necessary changes to her practice.

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provision

Consequently, she shows a capacity to improve her already good practice.

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provision

The childminder has strong links with the local primary school, which has a positive impact, to ensure consistency and continuity of children's care and learning needs. Partnerships with parents are very strong. The childminder takes time to get to know the families. She keeps them fully informed about their children's day by means of daily verbal communications at drop off and collection times, or at suitable times for parents. She also provides them with regular written updates about their child. The childminder works closely with parents, to ensure that the move from home to the setting is as effective as possible. She gains information from parents about children's starting points, which she uses effectively, in order to support children's individual needs. Written evaluations received from parents' state they feel very happy with the care and education that the childminder provides for their children.

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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 Requires improvement The provision is not giving children a good standard of early years education and/or there are minor breaches of the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. We re-inspect nurseries and pre-schools judged as requires improvement within 12 months of the date of inspection. 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

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Grade Judgement Description

is not meeting the safeguarding and welfare requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It will be monitored and inspected again within six months of the date of this inspection. Met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. The inspection judgement is that the provider continues to meet the requirements for registration. Not met There were no children present at the time of the inspection. 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 304531 Local authority Cheshire East Inspection number 871747 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 17 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 6

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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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