Morley, Deborah Jane

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

Unique reference number EY420724 Inspection date 18/07/2011 Inspector Dianne Sadler

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 assesses 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 0300 123 1231, 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

T: 0300 123 1231 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 2010 and has named her provision 'Happy Stars'. She lives with her husband and three children: twins aged nine years and son aged fourteen years. They live within the village of Water Orton, Warwickshire. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outdoor play.

p.4

Description of the childminding

The childminder is registered by Ofsted on the Early Years Register and the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children under eight years at any one time. The childminder is currently caring for six children, of whom three are within the early years age group. The childminder takes and collects children from local schools and pre- schools. The family has a dog.

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

Children are confident and settle very well in this welcoming and fully-inclusive setting. Children make very good progress in all areas of their learning. The childminder is developing strong relationships with parents and understands the need to develop partnerships with providers of other settings the children may attend. Policies, procedures and records are very well organised and the childminder demonstrates the capacity to maintain continuous improvement.

p.4

further?

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

p.4

further?

 improve further the use of observations to assess children's learning towards all the early learning goals.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder demonstrates a strong commitment to safeguarding, which protects children and keeps them safe. She has attended training in child protection and is competent with regard to recognising when children may be at risk of harm. She also understands the actions she must take to promote their welfare. She maintains clear written policies, procedures and records for the efficient running of the setting. The childminder conducts effective risk assessments to keep children safe and secure in the home, garden and when on outings.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder makes very good use of space available within the home. She provides children with good quality resources that are varied and easily accessed to successfully promote their independence and enjoyment. Some resources This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 enable children to explore similarities and differences. For example, children enjoy a trip to the library and choose a book which shows images of children from different ethnic groups exploring creatures under the sea.

p.4

the early years provision

The childminder provides a service that is inclusive for all children and their families. She develops a good working relationship with all parents. She gets to know the families very well and offers any support that they may need wherever possible. Useful information is exchanged verbally on a daily basis. In addition, parents of younger children benefit from a written daily diary which they take home, and all parents access their children's learning journals. The Childminder also understands the importance of developing effective systems to share information with other providers as and when the need arises.

p.5

the early years provision

The childminder is strongly committed to continually improving the setting and her professional development. She has attended further training and workshops to update her skills and knowledge. For example, she has attended a seminar exploring how to use household items as play resources. The childminder successfully uses a written self-evaluation document to identify the strengths and areas for improvement within the setting and has an action plan to develop the setting further. For instance, she intends to organise more games developing children's skills in counting and sequencing and is purchasing additional resources for the outdoors, such as a chalkboard.

p.5

and outcomes for children

All children are learning about a healthy lifestyle and how to keep themselves safe through well-planned activities and everyday experiences. For instance, before participating in a cooking activity, they wash their hands using liquid soap and dry their hands on their own individual towel. At this time they learn about safety in the kitchen whilst discussing how the hot oven may burn us. Children confidently explain to the inspector that this will make them cry. Children enjoy healthy foods and snacks provided by the childminder. For example, at snack time they sit very well at the table and enjoy a pot of fresh fruit containing melon and grapes. They also access a drink of juice in their own individual beaker throughout the day which helps to keep them well-hydrated.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children's sense of well-being is fostered very well by the warm and caring nature of the childminder. They settle very well in the setting and demonstrate a good understanding of the routines and high expectations set. Children particularly benefit from developing strong relationships with the childminder and other children. For example, they enjoy attending 'Rhythm time' at the local toddler group and regular trips to places that interest them, such as a walk to observe the trains passing under the bridge.

p.5

and outcomes for children

The childminder observes children's learning and successfully links the findings to the six areas of learning. Through photographs, children's work and written observations she assesses their very good progress within all areas of learning. However, she is not fully assessing their continual learning towards all the early This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 learning goals, which may compromise the progress they make.

p.5

and outcomes for children

Children are successfully developing skills which equip them well for the future. They participate in purposeful play and exploration and enjoy experiences and activities linked to their individual interests. For instance, children enjoy a visit to the garden centre to observe the fish and plants after showing an interest in the fish being kept in the pond outdoors. They also proudly display fish and octopus shapes on the kitchen wall which they decorate with tissue paper and paint. This develops their curiosity for the natural world and develops their good self-esteem. Children are developing very good skills in numeracy and communication, which are supported very well by the childminder. For example, they enjoy measuring ingredients with kitchen scales when baking jam tarts and successfully count two spoons of water, which they add to the flour. In addition, they confidently discuss their favourite book with adults and exclaim that a favourite story character has

p.6

and outcomes for children

orange eyes. 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

Early Years Foundation Stage

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 3 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