Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 29 July 2015 15 June 2011

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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 is well qualified. She carries out regular and useful observations and assessments to identify children's stages of development and their next steps in learning. The childminder uses this information well to ensure all children make good progress in their learning and development.  The childminder provides a welcoming and homely environment. She establishes warm and secure relationships with children. This means they have a strong sense of security and belonging.  A secure settling-in procedure is in place. The childminder spends time getting to know each child. She liaises with parents about children's care and learning needs. As a result, children are very well supported, both physically and emotionally.  Children display high levels of confidence and self-esteem. This is because the childminder values their opinions and praises them for their efforts and achievements during play. As a result, children enjoy her company very much.

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This provision is good

 Effective partnerships with parents and other providers support children's individual care and promote continuity in their learning.  Children are safe and protected from harm because the childminder has a good understanding of safeguarding procedures. She assesses risks in her home and for any outings. She holds a valid a first-aid qualification. Consequently, she is able to respond to accidents and emergencies appropriately.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not always fully promote children's thinking skills to the highest level.  The childminder does not fully promote children's understanding about diverse backgrounds.

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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 opportunities for children to enhance their thinking skills so that they fully extend their ideas and thoughts  extend opportunities for children to learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, communities and traditions.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector viewed the childminder's qualifications, self-evaluation and improvement plans. The inspector also viewed evidence of the suitability of the childminder and of all adults living on the premises.  The inspector observed activities and interactions between the childminder and the children during play.  The inspector toured the areas of the premises that are used for childminding.  The inspector looked at children's files, observations, assessments and planning records.  The inspector looked at a selection of policies and records, including the childminder's safeguarding policy, registers, first-aid certificate and risk assessments.

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who attend. This is good

Teaching is good. The childminder has a secure knowledge of how children learn and develop. She has high expectations of children and provides them with a good level of challenge, which keeps them engaged and motivated to learn. Children are encouraged to develop their communication skills. The childminder repeats words and introduces new vocabulary, such as harmonica. She successfully extends children's language by asking them lots of questions. However, occasionally she does not encourage children to think and talk about how and why things happen. This means children's thinking skills are not always maximised. The childminder helps children to develop their mathematical skills during everyday activities and routines. They count the number of scoops of sand it takes to fill a container. The childminder extends the activity even further by introducing mathematically language, such as more and less. This presents maths in a fun way.

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who attend. This is good

Younger children are encouraged to explore resources that stimulate their handling and manipulation skills. They pat and poke at coloured gloop in sealed bags. This successfully enables younger children to develop their sensory experiences.

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good

The childminder ensures children get lots of fresh air and regular exercise. Children grow herbs, vegetables and flowers in an allotment. This supports their developing understanding of healthy lifestyles. The childminder has consistent hygiene routines and teaches children about the need to be clean at key times. Children are independent in their learning because the childminder encourages them to do many things for themselves. The stimulating environment is organised well to help children to make independent choices in their play. Therefore, children develop confidence and are well prepared for the next stage in their learning, including school. The childminder helps children to learn about some aspects of the world around them. However, she does not fully promote children's understanding of different family backgrounds or traditions.

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provision is good

The childminder has a good range of policies and procedures in place. She seeks the views of parents to inform her self-evaluation and regularly reviews her work. The childminder is committed to keeping up to date with new legislation and any changes in practice guidelines. This contributes to the safe and efficient management of her setting. She has completed a qualification at level 5. This has a positive impact on how she promotes children's learning. The childminder demonstrates a high level of commitment to extending her knowledge by undertaking training. She also shares new knowledge with her assistant, in order to enhance their quality of practice. The childminder effectively tracks children's development by using her observations and assessments to identify areas where children may need further support or challenge. She has good links with schools and some local childcare providers. This helps to ensure continuity of learning as children

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY417328 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 851822 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 15 June 2011

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2010 and lives in the Northwich area of Cheshire. She operates all year round from 8am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder occasionally works with an assistant. The childminder holds a relevant early years qualification at level 5.

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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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