Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 15 July 2015 8 December 2009

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This inspection: Good 2

Previous inspection: Good 2 How well the early years provision meets the needs of the range of children who attend Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The contribution of the early years provision to the well-being of children Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The effectiveness of the leadership and management of the early years provision Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

The setting meets legal requirements for early years settings

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This provision is good

 The childminder effectively evaluates her provision so that practice is continually developed and plans for continuous improvement are in place.  Children are happy, excited and eager to learn and get involved. They behave well and show increasing ability to concentrate and work independently.  Robust safeguarding procedures ensure children are safe in the care of the childminder. She has an excellent understanding of her responsibilities to protect children and she regularly refreshes her knowledge by undertaking relevant courses.  Partnership working with parents is good. Parents are kept well informed about children's progress and have the information they need to support their children's learning at home.  The childminder is keen to develop her service. She acts on advice and attends a lot of training and builds her knowledge. Her plans for improvement are well targeted to strengthen her practice.

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This provision is good

 The childminder is extremely caring, sensitive and skilled in helping children to develop secure emotional attachments. Children develop self-confidence and their overall well- being is nurtured.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 Occasionally, the childminder puts too much focus on ensuring children take part in planned activities and does not give them enough time to lead and develop their own play.  The childminder does not always make best use of her observations to plan for children's rapid progress.

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

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

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What the setting needs to do to improve further

 provide more consistent opportunities for children to lead and develop their own play  make better use of observations to plan even more effectively and increase the potential for children to achieve rapid progress in their learning.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector spoke with the childminder and children at appropriate times throughout the inspection and made observations of the children present.  The inspector looked at children's assessment records and the planning documentation.  The inspector reviewed evidence of the childminder's suitability to work with children, her safeguarding policies and procedures and a range of other supporting documentation.  The inspector carried out a joint observation with the childminder of children engaged in a play activity.  The inspector took account of the views of parents provided in writing and in person.

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who attend. This is good

Children are provided with a range of interesting and age-appropriate learning experiences. Planning is generally based on children's interests. However, the childminder does not consistently make the most of spontaneous opportunities for children to follow their own ideas. The stronger emphasis on adult-led activities means that children are not always given enough time to lead their own play and explore their own ideas and thinking. In addition, activities are not always consistently matched very precisely to children's needs or abilities. Some learning experiences are too complex for the children involved. For example, young children struggle to complete a new jigsaw game. However, the childminder skilfully extends their vocabulary to help children develop their communication skills. Children have their curiosity awakened when they explore the texture of pine cones. Children are well supported to practise and refine a number of skills, which helps them to

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who attend. This is good

develop socially, physically and emotionally. Consequently, children make good progress in their development and learning. Their readiness for the next stage in their learning is well promoted.

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good

The childminder's home is safe and welcoming. Children have positive relationships with the childminder and her family. They enjoy her encouragement and support. Children have opportunities to be active and engage in physical play, both in and away from the home. Children enjoy healthy snacks and meals and have a good understanding of routines. They are developing self-help skills and independence. For example, they wash hands before snack and after messy play. They enjoy drinking water on a hot day. Children's behaviour is good and their positive attitudes towards each other prepare them well for nursery and school. The childminder takes children on outings to local places of interest, such as the zoo. They enjoy these trips and develop their social skills.

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provision is good

The childminder has a good understanding of her responsibilities in meeting the requirements of the Early Years Foundation Stage. She understands her duties to safeguard children. She implements policies and safe working practices well to support children's safety and well-being. Her training and experience have a positive impact on the quality of care she provides for children. Good information is exchanged with parents and other settings children attend. Children are well supported in moving on to the next stage of their learning. The childminder promotes children's progress effectively. She plans targeted activities from the outset. The skills children learn help them to be ready for school and lay firm foundations for the future.

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Setting details

Unique reference number 304750 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 864796 Type of provision Childminder Registration category Childminder Age range of children 0 - 11 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of provider

Date of previous inspection 8 December 2009

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 1999. She lives in Elton, near Chester. The childminder operates Monday to Friday all year round, between the hours of 7am and 6pm, except for family holidays. She provides funded early education for two-, three- and four-year-old children.

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Telephone number

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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Telephone number

procedures set out in the guidance ‘Complaints procedure: raising concerns and making complaints about Ofsted’, which is available from Ofsted’s website: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted. If you would like Ofsted to send you a copy of the guidance, please telephone 0300 123 4234, or email enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk. 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, safeguarding and child protection.

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Telephone number

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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Telephone number

T: 0300 123 4234 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

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