Murray, Collette Anne-Marie

Website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This document may be reproduced in whole or in part for non-commercial educational purposes, provided that the information quoted is reproduced without adaptation and the source and date of publication are stated. Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 318306 Inspection date 25/08/2009 Inspector Krystina Chitryn

p.1

Type of setting Childminder This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.1

Introduction

This inspection was carried out by Ofsted under Sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 on the quality and standards of the registered early years provision. ‘Early years provision’ refers to provision regulated by Ofsted for children from birth to 31 August following their fifth birthday (the early years age group). The registered person must ensure that this provision complies with the statutory framework for children’s learning, development and welfare, known as the Early Years Foundation Stage.

p.2

Introduction

The provider must provide a copy of this report to all parents with children at the setting where reasonably practicable. The provider must provide a copy of the report to any other person who asks for one, but may charge a fee for this service (The Childcare (Inspection) Regulations 2008 regulations 9 and 10).

p.2

Introduction

Children only attend this setting before and/or after the school day and/or during the school holidays. The judgements in this report reflect the quality of early years provision offered to children during those periods.

p.2

Introduction

The setting also makes provision for children older than the early years age group which is registered on the voluntary and/or compulsory part(s) of the Childcare Register. This report does not include an evaluation of that provision, but a comment about compliance with the requirements of the Childcare Register is included in Annex B. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.2

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1993. She lives with her husband and two adult sons in the Timperley area of Cheshire. The whole of the ground floor is for childminding, this includes a playroom, lounge and kitchen. The children use the bathroom upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a dog.

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years old at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age group. The provision is registered on the Early Years Register, and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. There are currently 3 children on roll, of whom two are in the early years age group. The childminder attends local toddler groups. She is a member of the National Childminding Association.

p.3

Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall, the quality of the provision is good. The children make good progress as their needs are met, they are respected and valued as individuals, and are cared for in a safe, inclusive and stimulating environment. They are happy, settled, and confident and enjoy learning about the world around them. Parents have access to good information and this is shared to enable the children to have consistency of care. The childminder is putting in place systems for evaluating her practice and identifying her strengths and areas for improvement. She knows the children very well and is able to plan a range of activities and experiences around their interests. She is developing her skills in observations and the next steps for children.

p.3

further?

To further improve the early years provision the registered person should:

p.3

further?

 ensure that children's records of achievement are kept up to date to show progress  develop and formalize planning, knowledge and evaluative observations and identify areas of learning for the next steps and develop children's files.

p.3

provision

The childminder understands her responsibility under the Children Act to keep the children safe, and keeps her self informed of local authority procedures and training. She has a well thought out risk assessments, records, policies and procedures which she keeps up-to-date and reviews annually. She provides good quality and clean resources that are stored at child height in the play room so children can help themselves. She also provided equipment for the outside play area that enables the children to make choices and initiate independent play. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 The childminder has developed good relationships with parents and the local school. They are provided with good information about all areas of the childminding service, including their children’s records of achievement and they exchange information each day. Detailed information regarding planning, menus,

p.3

provision

policies and procedures are available to parents. She has developed very good relationships with the local school and through the exchange of information she extends the children’s learning, for example, taking trips on the tram when the school theme was transport. She has regular discussions about supporting the children in their learning and providing additional help when it is required, to ensure the children have consistency in their learning and development.

p.4

provision

The childminder has a positive attitude to her professional development and ensures she attends ongoing training which includes safeguarding training. She has very recently begun to undertake self-evaluation of her care, and has included parents and children in the process and is developing this further. The childminder has recently begun to develop records of achievement and evaluative observations, which identify children's next steps in learning. However, she is aware of further developing her systems. She is clear about the children’s progress and how they are developing. She knows the children well and recognises their individuality and strengths; she is providing extra support to one child who is learning to identify colours. She asks the child to pass the orange plate, so she can match the coloured plate to the fruit and praises her efforts. Children have the opportunity to play outside in all weathers, as the play room leads directly on to the garden which

p.4

provision

is hard surfaced and grassed. They happily move between the indoors and outdoors under the childminders supervision.

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are provided with the opportunities for lots of purposeful play and exploration as the childminder plans her routines. She talks to the children all the time enabling them to extend their language skills and critical thinking. They have planted flowers in the container so they can learn about the development, growth and the concept of growing food. A family member provides home grown lettuce and tomatoes, which the children enjoy and this extends their learning about where food comes from and the seasons. The children have daily opportunities for outdoor play as the play room leads in to the garden so they choose to play indoors or outdoors. They have regular walks in the local community and learn about others cultural back grounds and celebrate festivals and learn about differences. These experiences are further developed by visiting places of interest, such as the library and local play groups, which extends their experiences of the

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are cared for in a clean, safe environment where they are learning to develop an understanding of basic road safety and to take care of themselves. Children’s individual needs are taken account of, and they are provided with a healthy range of freshly prepared and home cooked meals and snacks. Today they are provided with a selection of cut up fruit and vegetables including home grown tomatoes. They sit together at the table and discuss the food they are eating, This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 talking about colour, taste and texture. The childminder uses this time to extend the children’s language and social skills. They learn about acceptable behaviour and develop strong feelings of self worth. They are happy and content in the childminder's care. The childminder puts sun screen on the children and they discuss why they need it, and she also provides a large and small sun shade at

p.4

The quality and standards of the early years provision

tables to further ensure the children’s good health is maintained.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

Good interactions are demonstrated by the childminder and children through lots of eye contact, hugs and conversation, as the childminder spends her time playing and talking to them on the floor and at their level. She has regular contact with the children’s school and works with them to develop themes and their skills, for example, they went for a ride on the tram when the school’s theme was transport. The children are excited when they talk about the lavender and the smell and where best to place it. Their learning is extended by discussions about where they come from and how it can be used. They also learn about good hygiene practices and wash their hands before they eat their snacks. They are learning about the world around them.

p.5

The quality and standards of the early years provision

The children are provided with a varied and rich environment that effectively contributes to their learning and benefit from one to one support from the childminder. The environment is very warm and welcoming with their art work is displayed around the home so the children have a good sense of belonging. They are happy, settled and very involved in their play, and their welfare is well provided for enabling them to make good progress towards the early learning goals. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.5

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

Grade 1 is Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Grade 2 is Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Grade 3 is Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Grade 4 is Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.6

of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

How well does the provision promote inclusive practice? 2 The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement.

p.6

Foundation Stage led and managed?

How effective is the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement? How well does the setting work in partnership with parents and others? How well are children safeguarded? 2

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

How well are children helped to stay safe? 2 How well are children helped to be healthy? 2 How well are children helped to enjoy and achieve? 2 How well are children helped to make a positive contribution? How well are children helped develop skills that will contribute to their future economic well-being?

p.6

Years Foundation Stage promoted?

procedures set out in the guidance available from Ofsted’s website: www.ofsted.gov.uk This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the compulsory part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

The provider confirms that the requirements of the voluntary part of the Childcare Register are: Met

p.7