Mears Yvette

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number 506644 Inspection date 26/10/2009 Inspector Mary Anne Henderson

p.1

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.

p.1

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

p.2

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

p.2

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.3

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.3

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.

p.3

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

p.3

Description of the childminding

The childminder was registered in 1987. She lives with her husband and three children aged 20, 16 and nine years old in a house in Telford. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register to care for six children and is currently caring for four children within the early years age group. The childminder is also registered on the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register.

p.4

Description of the childminding

All downstairs areas of the house and the upstairs bedrooms are used for childminding and there is an enclosed outdoor play area. The childminder supports children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those children who speak English as an additional language. The family have a cat and a dog. The childminder is able to take and collect children from local schools. She is a member of the National Childminding Association and is qualified to Level 3. The childminder receives support from the local authority.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is good.

p.4

The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

The childminder provides an inviting and caring environment for children and their parents. She liaises closely with the parents to ensure consistency and continuity. The childminder liaises with other providers of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) thereby ensuring inclusion. Systems in place to evaluate the provision includes the identification of all strengths and all areas for further improvement. However as yet, the parents are not yet fully included in this process. The childminder shows a strong commitment to improving her practice on an ongoing basis.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 ensure all parents are meaningfully involved in the self-evaluation procedures of the setting  extend children's interest in technology, providing them with a range of programmable toys.

p.4

the early years provision

The leadership and management of the early years provision is good. There are strong relationships between the childminder and the parents. This promotes inclusion for all children on roll. The children are protected because the childminder has an understanding of the safeguarding policies and procedures of the setting and how to ensure children are protected. Areas, equipment, toys and outings are fully assessed to ensure the minimisation of risks to the children. All This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 adults are suitably checked and vetted. The childminder works close with parents and other professionals to ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities and those children who speak English as an additional language are well supported. This further promotes inclusion for all children.

p.4

the early years provision

Systems in place to evaluate the provision includes input from the children and the identification of all strengths and areas for further improvement. However, parents are not yet meaningfully included in this process. Improvement following the last inspection ensures children's welfare is maintained. The childminder liaises with other settings providing for the children in the EYFS. Parents are kept informed about their child's ongoing progression in their learning and development. They have their own copies of the policies and procedures of the setting.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children find out about their environment, identifying features and noticing the natural world. They enjoy outings to places of interest. This includes visiting working farms to look at the cows and sheep and to walk around the woodlands under close supervision of the childminder. They also enjoy local nature trail walks looking at the wildlife, plants and trees and over time noticing the changing seasons. The childminder takes the children on local walks noticing the donkeys and chickens in the fields and noticing the snails and ladybirds around them. She also takes children to Injinuity where the children can explore science activities with their peers. The parents join their children and the childminder for outings to the Safari Park where they spend time together to find out about wild animals.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The children are beginning to recognise the importance of keeping healthy and those things that contribute to this. This includes local visits to the park where they use a range of large equipment to practise their balance and climbing skills. The childminder supports the children as they use the equipment in the garden. Here the children learn to ride their trikes, balance on the see-saw and run around on the grass. Children use a range of tools such as paintbrushes, pencils and glue sticks during creative activities which supports their small muscle movement. The childminder provides children with a healthy balanced diet which includes vegetables and fruit during snack times. She talks to the children about the importance of healthy eating and why they need to wash the germs off their hands. The children are beginning to learn about personal safety. During outings, they learn about road safety and the need to stay near the childminder at the park.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The children are also included in the fire evacuation practice at the setting.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are beginning to form good relationships with their peers and the adults around them. They are confident and feel safe and secure in the care of their childminder. The childminder spends much of her time working directly with the children supporting them with their chosen activities and comforting them when they become upset, thereby fostering children's sense of feeling safe. She also displays children's photographs and art work for them in their play areas which fosters their sense of belonging. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Children are beginning to use technology and information and communication technology to support their learning. For example, they use the table top computers to explore counting numbers and problem solving tasks. However, older more able children have limited access to a range of remote controlled toys which may possibly compromise this part of their learning. The childminder encourages

p.5

and outcomes for children

the children to think about numbers, counting and how to match items. For example, the children notice numbers letters and words on outings and they enjoy finding their matching socks and shoes before they go outdoors. They also enjoy putting puzzles together and building with the construction toys.

p.6

and outcomes for children

The children are beginning to understand that people have different needs, views, cultures and beliefs. They play with a range of toys that reflects positive images of diversity including dolls, multicultural dolls, dressing up and small world people that depict positive images of disabled people. Their interest in people with differences is further fostered through their access to story and reference books. The childminder supports the children's interest further by providing a range of craft activities that encourages their interest in various festivals. This includes colouring in pictures of Diwali lamps and listening and dancing to Indian music. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006

p.6

Annex A: record of inspection judgements

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

p.7

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.7

children in the Early Years Foundation Stage?

The capacity of the provision to maintain continuous improvement

p.7

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

p.7

Stage

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

p.7

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

p.7

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

p.7

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8

Annex B: the Childcare Register

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

p.8