Orchard Academy

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

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Unique reference number 138605 Inspection date 26/08/2009 Inspector Catherine Greenwood

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

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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.

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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).

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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

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Description of the childminding

This childminder has been registered since 2000. The childminder lives with her three children aged 17, 15 and 11 years. They live in a house in West Drayton which is situated close to West Drayton station and has easy access to the M4 and Heathrow Airport. The whole of the ground floor of the property is used for childminding, this includes a ground floor toilet. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years at any one time, of whom no more than three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding two children in this age group. This provision is registered by Ofsted on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

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Description of the childminding

The family have a pet hamster. The childminder is a member of a Quality Network, set up by the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership (EYDCP) in close liaison with the National Childminding Association (NCMA). She has an NVQ Level 3 in child care and learning development in addition to a CACHE Level 3 in Childminding Practice.

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Overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children make good developmental progress. The overall quality of the provision is good, with some outstanding outcomes. The individual support and guidance that children and their parents receive is a key strength of the setting. The childminder adapts activities so all children can take part and be included, and provides good opportunities for children to learn about the world around them, through regular outings to places such as toddler groups, and the library. She recognises the value of continuous improvement, and how it contributes to children's enjoyment and achievement. The childminder is a member of a childminding network, and regularly receives information and advice which she uses effectively to improve the provision.

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further?

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

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further?

 identify children's developmental starting points with parents on entry to the provision, and share assessments of children's developmental progress with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage  ensure risk assessments for outings identify hazards related to each place children are taken on visits  improve the opportunities for children to count and use mathematical langauge within their play This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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provision

Partnership with parents is outstanding. The childminder has a very open approach to working with parents, and provides appropriate support and guidance. For example, her ability to help parent's meet their children's individual needs, has resulted in an excellent partnership, and provided children with continuity of care. Children form close relationships with the childminder and her family. Consequently, they enjoy her involvement in their play and are relaxed and at ease. This is evident as children show confidence in asking for play equipment, and tell the childminder when they need something. Children are gently encouraged to do things for themselves, and try new experiences. Excellent self-evaluation includes action the childminder has already taken to improve outcomes for children, such as food provision, and includes extremely well focused priorities for future improvements.

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provision

Policies and procedures are used effectively in practice to meet children's individual needs, although risk assessments completed for outings do not identify potential hazards in each place visited. The childminder has a good knowledge of how to safeguard children's welfare. Children's developmental achievements are recorded in their individual learning journeys, although these are not currently shared with other providers delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children have a good range of experiences. The childminder knows each child very well, and establishes clear aims for their development, such as encouraging them to express themselves and become independent in their self care. As a result, children can put on their coats and shoes and younger children are successful with toilet/potty training. Children learn to socialise with others and understand about teamwork. Consequently all children make good progress in this area of their learning. Photographs show children learning about the features of living things as they use special tools and magnifying glasses to collect insects during bug hunts in the childminder's garden. The childminder joins children in their searches as they find snails, ladybirds, and caterpillars in the garden. They use special resources to collect what they find and look at the creatures through magnifying glasses. There is a good range of planned activities such as cooking, play dough, using musical

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

instruments, looking at books, using climbing equipment and riding bikes.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy outdoor play because the childminder has a well organised garden with resources such as a sand and water tray, small slide and climbing apparatus, wheeled toys, seesaw and playhouse. Children benefit from choosing to play inside or outside all year round, provided it is not raining. Regular outings to an adventure playground provide children with more challenging physical opportunities, where they enjoy using a big 'spider swing'. Children have good opportunities to socialise at toddler groups, where they join in organised group activities such as balancing frog bean bags on their heads, and following instructions as they pretend to jump into a pretend pool. Visits to a country park where there is a water fountain that children can run through, and a wooded area This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 where they collect fir cones and leaves, enables them to explore the local

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

environment. Children learn about the needs of others as they join in annual 'sponsored toddles', to raise money for Barnado's, organised by a centre which they visit each week.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children are given plenty of praise and encouragement which in return boosts their self-esteem and gives them confidence to achieve. They have access to a wide range of toys, equipment and multicultural resources which help them to make individual progress towards the early learning goals. Children are encouraged to make their own choices by being given a variety of activities to choose from and encouraged in free play. Each child is treated individually and regularly assessed and observed to make sure that they are developing to their full potential. Children's individual learning journeys are well recorded, and show the childminders good observation skills and knowledge of children's individual achievements in relation to the Early Years Foundation Stage. Children's assessment records include clear aims for development, although there are insufficient opportunities for children to count and use mathematical language

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

Children enjoy being in the childminders home and are very well behaved. They have clear boundaries which are consistent with their home life, know what is expected of them, and have an understanding of right and wrong. Children create their own books 'all about me' which include pictures of themselves, the things they like doing, their likes and dislikes, and things they have done in the past. This enables children to learn about their own identity and develop a positive view of themselves. Planned activities such as making Chinese lanterns and Rangoli patterns help children to learn about other cultures and beliefs. Resources that support this learning are made easily accessible and children enjoy using a child- sized wheelchair and floor puzzles. Activities are decided through responding to the children's requests. Children say they like do drawing, collect snails, do puzzles and painting and say they are going to be artists. A planning resource file is used for

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

identifying activities related to themes such as shapes and seasons. The childminder helps children to choose play equipment which captures their interest, such as large floor puzzles. She joins children and asks questions that enables them all to be included.

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The quality and standards of the early years provision

A written menu is used flexibly to accommodate parents wishes and include fresh vegetables that children like such as sweetcorn, broccoli and carrots. Consequently, children eat well. Children have a good understanding of the importance of good hygiene and know that they have to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating because 'the toys have germs'. Children learn to keep themselves safe through the use of puppets from a traffic club, and looking at posters displayed in the childminders hall for discussion about crossing the road. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

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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

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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.

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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

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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?

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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

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

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