Macpherson, Natalie Clare

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY388894 Inspection date 02/09/2009 Inspector Carol Newman

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Type of setting Childminder to 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 rates council children’s services, and inspects services for looked after children, safeguarding and child protection. If you would like a copy of this document in a different format, such as large print or Braille, please telephone 08456 404040, 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.

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Royal Exchange Buildings St Ann's Square Manchester M2 7LA

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T: 08456 404040 Textphone: 0161 618 8524 E: enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk W: www.ofsted.gov.uk 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.

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Introduction

Please see our website for more information about each childcare provider. We publish inspection reports, conditions of registration and details of complaints we receive where we or the provider take action to meet the requirements of registration. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

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Description of the childminding

The childminder has been registered since March 2009. She lives with her husband and two pre-school aged children in Leatherhead in Surrey. The whole of the ground floor of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. Local facilities include the town centre, schools, parks and the library. The childminder has a cat.

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Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of four children under eight years, of whom, one can be in the early years age group. She is currently caring for two children in the early years age group and one older child, who all attend on a part time basis. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder has a very clear vision for her provision and she has successfully created an inclusive environment. Children are well cared for and they are making good progress. The childminder uses self-evaluation very effectively to identify how she wishes to develop her provision. She works well with parents and other provisions to meet children's individual needs at all times and to ensure continuity of care.

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further?

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

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further?

 ensure a date of review is recorded for risk assessments  continue to develop a range of resources that are suitable for older children in the early years age group, so that all children enjoy a challenging learning and development experience tailored to their individual needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder uses self-evaluation very effectively to identify the strengths and areas for development in her provision. She is continually looking for ways to make her practice more efficient and effective for the benefit of the children in her care.

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the early years provision

Resources are very well deployed to enhance the children's experiences. The childminder makes good use of her wider community and organises her internal resources well. The childminder is proactive in gathering information about the children so that she can tailor her provision to meet their individual needs. To this end, she engages well with parents, exchanging information on a daily basis, and she researches additional needs on the internet. The childminder maintains good This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 links with other providers. For example, she fully understands school routines and has details of termly events so that she can support the children.

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the early years provision

The childminder works hard to ensure children are safe and thriving in her provision. She takes steps to maintain a safe environment. She understands safeguarding issues and the procedures to follow if she has concerns about a child in her care.

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and outcomes for children

Children are well supported to develop their own play and to make choices about the activities they engage in. The childminder shares her time well to ensure all children's individual needs are met. Children can easily access the range of resources that are set up for them on a daily basis and children are encouraged to work together to tidy up throughout the day. Resources are plentiful for the youngest children. However, resources that are suitable for older children in the early years age group are limited at present.

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and outcomes for children

Children are actively engaged in activities such as pretending to shop, where they choose their items and pay for them. They quietly read books, use the interactive toys, count throughout the daily routine and play outdoors in the garden or the park whenever possible. Activities are planned that cover all six areas of learning and the childminder is continually developing her planning framework to ensure there is a good balance of activities available to the children.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder observes the children's activities on a regular basis and these are very well recorded. The observation sheets provide a wealth of information to enable the childminder to establish children's skills and areas for development and the children's records are beautifully presented.

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and outcomes for children

Regular risk assessments, outdoors and indoors, and daily checks contribute to children's safety and these are well recorded. However, the childminder has not identified a date of review for all risk assessments and this is a requirement. The childminder teaches children to keep themselves safe through effective routines and house rules without compromising their independence. Children engage in regular emergency evacuation practices to ensure they understand the procedures to follow in the event of a fire and older children support younger ones within the home. Children are very comfortable with the childminder and settled in the home. This demonstrates how safe the children feel in the childminder's care.

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and outcomes for children

Children benefit from a wide range of healthy meals and snacks throughout the day. Younger children choose their snacks by pointing and older ones are able to select from the range on offer. The childminder encourages children to become involved in shopping and cooking so that they understand the benefits of a healthy diet and children know how regular exercise and physical play contributes to their well-being. Good hygiene procedures protect children from infection and children are taught about effective hand washing from a very young age. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children behave well and share the resources willingly. The childminder deals with unwanted behaviour calmly and consistently. Children learn about different cultures through access to a suitable range of resources, such as dolls, small world figures, books and puzzles and through visits in the wider community.

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and outcomes for children

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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children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

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and managed?

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 2 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 2 The effectiveness of the setting’s engagement with parents and carers

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Stage

The quality of the provision in the Early Years Foundation Stage 2

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 2 The extent to which children feel safe 2 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 2 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 2 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 2

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Stage

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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