Whitmey, Mary Katherine

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY273783 Inspection date 11/10/2011 Inspector Deborah Jane Orchard

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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 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.

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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

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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 was registered in 2003. She lives with her partner and two children, aged 11 and 13, in West Ealing in the London Borough of Ealing. The whole of the ground floor of the house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet gerbil. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends parent/toddler groups and local places of interest. The childminder is registered on the Early Years Register and both the compulsory and voluntary parts of the Childcare Register. She is registered to care for a maximum of six children at any one time; of these, three may be in the early years age range. She is currently minding four children in the early years age range and providing after school care for older children. Children attend for a variety of sessions. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association and holds a level three early years

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Overall the quality of the provision is outstanding.

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The overall effectiveness of the early years provision

Children are making excellent progress overall in all areas of their learning and development. Their individual needs are being met exceedingly well as the childminder recognises that each child is unique. The childminder works considerably well with parents to ensure continuity of care for all children. Overall, the setting is highly organised to meet the welfare needs of all the children attending. Excellent use of self-evaluation means the childminder's capacity to maintain continuous improvement is outstanding.

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further?

To further improve the high quality early years provision the registered person should consider:

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further?

 providing further play and learning opportunities outside to reflect all areas of learning and enrich children's experiences.

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the early years provision

Excellent systems are in place to safeguard children. The childminder has attended recent safeguarding training to ensure her knowledge is up to date. A highly informative child protection policy is shared with parents. The childminder has a very professional approach to her childminding service. She has devised a very comprehensive range of policies and procedures, which she updates regularly. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Written risk assessments and daily checks are being carried out on all areas used by children, enabling the childminder to quickly identify and address potential hazards. Excellent risk assessments for outings are presented in a child friendly format and are used for discussion before children go out. This means that children are exceptionally well included in promoting their own safety.

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the early years provision

The childminder offers a very inclusive service, where each child is highly recognised as an individual. She takes time to find about their individual needs, capabilities and interests, and regularly discusses these with parents to ensure children's needs are fully met. Boys and girls play with an extensive range of toys and resources, including those that positively reflect gender, culture and disability. As a result, they are developing respect for, and insight into, cultural diversity.

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the early years provision

The home is kept clean and well maintained. Children have plenty of space to move around freely and overall resources are very well deployed. Children can easily access an extensive range of toys indoors, enabling them to make independent choices. The outdoor area is not fully used to cover all the areas of learning throughout the year, although children do enjoy an excellent range of outings. The childminder makes sure she has the necessary resources available for all planned activities and that toys reflect children's interests and needs.

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the early years provision

The childminder is highly effective in self-evaluating her service. She completes a very comprehensively written self-evaluation document, which enables her to identify her key strengths and areas she wishes to develop. The childminder values the views of parents and children; she carries out questionnaires and uses this information to support her in driving further improvements. She is highly committed to attending training to keep up to date and enhance practice. The childminder has fully addressed the recommendation made at her last inspection, improving outcomes for children.

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the early years provision

The childminder works highly effectively with parents. Feedback from parents indicates they are delighted with the service their children receive. They feel their children are very happy and progress incredibly well. Regular discussions, daily diaries and emails ensure parents are kept fully informed of all aspects of the provision and their child's experiences. The childminder ensures parents are fully involved in their child's development. This two-way approach supports children's learning exceptionally well. The childminder engages in very effective partnership working with local nurseries and schools. For example, daily communication and regular visits to the school to meet with teachers all promote continuity of care for children exceptionally well.

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and outcomes for children

Children are very happy and secure in this very warm and welcoming environment. The childminder treats all children with great kindness and consideration. They receive high quality care as the childminder is very effective in her delivery of the Early Years Foundation Stage framework. Children make This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 excellent progress because the childminder regularly observes and assesses each child's development. Children's individual plans, profiles, photographs and observations provide a thorough picture of the exciting and well-balanced range of activities children are participating in.

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and outcomes for children

Children are extremely confident to express their wishes. For example, they take the childminder's hand indicating that they want to go outside and she responds positively to their requests. Children chat happily with the childminder during play. The childminder skilfully asks questions to make children think and to extend their vocabulary. For example, as they look at books she asks 'which other animals can you see in the picture' The childminder provides many opportunities for children to repeat and consolidate their learning. Children have a wealth of opportunities to be creative. They have great fun dancing to familiar songs with the childminder. They make their own sounds using a variety of musical instruments. They have frequent opportunities to make their mark using a variety of materials. They imaginatively explore the different textures of a wide range of materials. Children enjoy discovering how things work, such as, working out how the digital camera works

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and outcomes for children

and scanning items at the checkout when they go shopping.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder raises children's awareness of different cultures and beliefs through celebrating special events. For example, children find which animal they are linked to for Chinese New Year and make cards and pictures for Diwali. They have fun making flags, which enable them to represent their family backgrounds. Children become absorbed in problem solving activities, working out how the play pizza slices fit into the bowl. The childminder introduces numbers and mathematical concepts during play. Children behave exceptionally well and even very young children learn to take responsibility and tidy up. They receive lots of reassurance and encouragement, developing their confidence to try new things.

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and outcomes for children

Children are highly supported in learning how to keep themselves safe. They regularly participate in evacuation procedures. Older children have an opportunity to help record how successful these are. Children sing along to road safety songs and look at safety books to extend their understanding. They learn how to play safely in the home, as the childminder explains potential dangers during daily routines. Children have excellent opportunities to develop healthy lifestyles. They thoroughly enjoy a wide range of healthy and nutritious foods as they sit comfortably at the table. Children frequently participate in physical activities both inside and outdoors, for example, ball games and the use of wheeled toys. They explore the natural world as they participate in gardening activities and find natural resources in the garden and when going out for walks. Trips to local activity groups and places of interest provide opportunities for children to socialise and

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and outcomes for children

develop positive relationships with others. The excellent range of experiences available clearly helps children to develop many skills for their future learning. 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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Early Years Foundation Stage

The effectiveness of leadership and management in embedding ambition and driving improvement The effectiveness with which the setting deploys resources 1 The effectiveness with which the setting promotes equality and diversity The effectiveness of safeguarding 1 The effectiveness of the setting’s self-evaluation, including the steps taken to promote improvement The effectiveness of partnerships 1 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 1

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Stage

The extent to which children achieve and enjoy their learning 1 The extent to which children feel safe 1 The extent to which children adopt healthy lifestyles 1 The extent to which children make a positive contribution 1 The extent to which children develop skills for the future 1

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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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