Childminder in Cheshire West and Chester

Inspection date

Previous inspection date 17 January 2017 9 October 2013

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This inspection: Good 2

Effectiveness of the leadership and management Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Quality of teaching, learning and assessment Good 2

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This inspection: Good 2

Personal development, behaviour and welfare Good 2

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This provision is good

 The childminder has a professional attitude in her work. Since the last inspection she has completed a childcare qualification. She researches changes to legislation and exchanges good practice with other childminders as a member of the local and national childminding support groups.  The childminder is well organised. She has a good understanding of the learning expectations for young children. She carefully monitors their progress and plans activities which support their next steps in learning. The children are making good progress in their physical, social and communication skills.  Children are very happy and squeal with delight at the wide range of activities in the well-equipped environment. They have many opportunities to play outside and develop their social skills at a range of groups they attend.  Parents are very happy with the service the childminder provides. They find her calm, patient and approachable. They feel well informed about what their child does during

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This provision is good

the day and their abilities. They say that she supports them in their parenting choices, such as how children will be weaned or the type of nappies they wish to use.  Children are well behaved. Clear routines provide a good structure to their day. This keeps them well occupied and ensures their needs for rest and refreshment are addressed. They are helped to be kind and supportive to their friends and develop very good manners.

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It is not yet outstanding because:

 The childminder does not consistently use opportunities to reinforce children's understanding of letter sounds and what lower case letters look like.

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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

 broaden the opportunities children have to develop their understanding of letter sounds and lower case letters, to develop and consolidate their early literacy skills.

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Inspection activities

 The inspector observed the quality of teaching during activities and assessed the impact this has on children's learning.  The inspector completed a joint evaluation of an activity with the childminder.  The inspector held a number of discussions with the childminder. She looked at relevant documentation and evidence of the suitability of persons living in the household.  The inspector spoke to children during the inspection.  The inspector took account of the views of parents through written feedback provided.

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Effectiveness of the leadership and management is good

The arrangements for safeguarding are effective. The childminder has a very good understanding of her crucial role in protecting children from harm. She has developed her knowledge further by attending courses and undertaking research into wider safeguarding issues. She regularly reviews risk assessments, taking into account the ages and abilities of the children she is caring for. This helps to ensure children are protected from harm. The childminder reviews her practice and takes parents' and children's views into consideration when planning improvements to her service. Since the last inspection, she has made changes to the way she tracks children's progress. She shares this information with parents and discusses how they can extend their child's learning at home. She has systems in place to exchange information with other providers when children start attending other settings, so she can fully assess children's learning needs.

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Quality of teaching, learning and assessment is good

The childminder bases her teaching on her knowledge of children's interests and her understanding of the expectations for children's development. She provides activities which capture their attention and she allows them to concentrate for good periods of time. She understands that everyday play can be adapted to expand children's understanding and skills. For example, children enjoy exploring how different materials move as they play with containers, rice and foam. These activities also reinforce new physical skills in children who are just learning to manipulate tools. She talks to children, explains what is happening and introduces new vocabulary. This builds on their understanding and gives them time to hear and practise new words. The childminder regularly assesses children's progress and identifies areas where she needs to provide additional activities to boost their learning.

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Personal development, behaviour and welfare are good

The childminder has good relationships with parents and works with them to ensure children's emotional and practical needs are well supported. The childminder praises the children's achievements and they show pride at their successes and understand behavioural expectations. The close relationship they build with the childminder means their emotional well-being is well supported. The childminder ensures children develop a good understanding of healthy lifestyles, providing opportunities for regular exercise and discussions about the importance of a balanced diet to promote good health.

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Outcomes for children are good

Children are making good progress in all areas of learning and are working comfortably within the range of development typical for their age. Children are well motivated and enthusiastic learners. They learn to work cooperatively with others, both in small groups at home and when in large groups on trips out. These are key skills they need for the move on to primary education. Children are gaining independence as they help to prepare their snacks and feed themselves. They start to understand how to keep themselves safe and develop the ability to use tools. For example, they understand that they cut grapes in half to make them less of a choking hazard.

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Setting details

Unique reference number EY291610 Local authority Cheshire West and Chester Inspection number 1064615 Type of provision Childminder Day care type Childminder Registers Early Years Register, Compulsory Childcare Register, Voluntary Childcare Register Age range of children 1 - 5 Total number of places 6 Number of children on roll 5

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Name of registered person

Date of previous inspection 9 October 2013

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Telephone number

The childminder was registered in 2004 and lives in Chester, Cheshire. She operates all year round from 7.15am to 5.30pm, Monday to Friday, except for bank holidays and family holidays. The childminder holds an appropriate qualification at level 3.

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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 reuse this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence. To view this licence, visit www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/, write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, London TW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk .

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Telephone number

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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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