Murphy, Katy Elizabeth

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique reference number EY359154 Inspection date 29/02/2012 Inspector Ron Goldsmith

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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 2007. She lives with her husband and children aged 17 months and four years in Great Sutton, Ellesmere Port. The whole of the ground floor is used for childminding and the bathroom and small bedroom on the first floor. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor activities. The family 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 at any one time, of whom no more than one may be in the early years age range. There are currently two children attending who are within the Early Years Foundation Stage, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder also offers care to children aged over five years. She is registered on the Early Years Register and on both the voluntary and compulsory parts of the Childcare Register. Children are taken and collected from nearby schools. Younger children are taken to local pre-school groups. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 make excellent progress in the childminder's care and enjoy a broad range of outings and activities that promote all areas of their development. The childminder is skilled at recognising the uniqueness of each child and meets their needs effectively. Through continued training and rigorous systems to monitor the provision, the childminder continually strives to enhance outcomes for children in her care.

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further?

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

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further?

 improving the extent to which children take on responsibilities and play a part in the setting.

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the early years provision

Systems to ensure children are safeguarded are highly successful. The childminder's secure knowledge and understanding of child protection issues ensures she can identify areas of concern. She is very clear and highly confident about her responsibility to protect children from harm and neglect. She has attended training and has developed a written child protection policy that is shared with parents from the outset. Thorough risk assessments are reviewed regularly to ensure children are safe and secure at all times. Clear, comprehensive policies and This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 procedures have been developed for all areas of the setting's practice. All of the required documentation is in place. Records are meticulously organised to effectively support children's health and welfare. All documentation is reviewed and updated as required. Systems to monitor and assess the provision are

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the early years provision

thorough and secure and include the Ofsted self-evaluation and questionnaires for parents and children. The childminder has responded positively to the comments they have made by, for example, altering menus and changing how daily feedback to parents was managed.

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the early years provision

The childminder liaises closely with her network coordinator and other childminders to discuss good practice and consider improvements. Additional resources have been obtained to meet children's needs and improve outcomes. Continuous assessment of children's development records helps the childminder monitor the provision effectively. The childminder's commitment to ongoing training ensures her continued personal and professional development. She has attended numerous training events which contribute directly to the further development of children. Partnership with parents and carers is outstanding because there are excellent systems to share information about children's progress and routines. Parents make contributions to the children's learning directly, for example by adding comments to the 'planning petals' which are displayed in the kitchen, which outline future activities for each individual child.

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the early years provision

Information about children's interests, routines and starting points are fully discussed and recorded so the childminder is able to meet their needs and promote consistent care. A detailed bi-annual written report is given for each child and parents make a written response to these. A colourful and detailed record of children's progress is maintained in learning journeys which parents contribute to. In addition parents write comments about their satisfaction with the quality of care provided by the childminder. They identify the progress their children are making when at the setting and the range of stimulating activities. They welcome the childminders flexible and professional approach. There are strong relationships with other providers in the Early Years Foundation Stage which supports the continuity of care provided to children.

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and outcomes for children

Children are making significant progress towards the early learning goals. They are happy and settled and clearly at home in the childminder's care. They demonstrate high levels of confidence and self-esteem by making a visual timetable for the day, putting up pictures of the activities that interest them most. They confidently continue with their activities but will also ask for help from the childminder if they need it.

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and outcomes for children

The childminder demonstrates an excellent knowledge of child development, making appropriate interventions or altering her approach when necessary. For example, when communicating with young children, she uses basic signing to support early language development. The use of signing is also successfully This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 implemented in an activity in which children choose items from a sack. The childminder encourages animated participation with children when selecting resources by singing and signing at the same time. The childminder uses everyday opportunities and activities to support children's growing awareness of number, colour, shape and pattern recognition. They confidently select and build with blocks, using simple mathematical language such as tall and taller, big or biggest, or describing journeys in pedal cars as 'in a circle'. Children look at the

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and outcomes for children

strawberries which they are growing in the garden. They have also grown and harvested potatoes. They begin to understand concepts about sustainability and the use of resources or recycling in meaningful ways. They have excellent opportunities to enjoy outdoor play and outings, making sandcastles or mark making with chalks. A recent visit to a museum is recorded with photographs of children displayed on the wall. Children laugh as they ride and sit in wheeled toys, sometimes independently and sometimes with the support of the childminder. The outdoor area further extends the excellent opportunities for children's learning and development, and resources have been provided to support this. Children laugh with delight as the childminder interacts warmly and wholeheartedly with them. They have excellent opportunities to learn new skills. They join in with simple songs and learn that objects such as a metal plate makes different noises in

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and outcomes for children

different areas, and they explore this with measured support from the childminder.

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and outcomes for children

The quality of planning for individuals, and the observation and assessment is very well organised and highly effective. The childminder recognises that children learn best when they are having fun and are interested in the activities and resources that are provided for them. She has an excellent understanding that children develop and learn in different ways and at different rates, and the use of observation and planning allows her to tailor their activities and outings to the individual child's needs. Photographs and written observations show the areas of learning covered during play and the next steps for children's learning. This effectively informs future planning for individual children. Parents can clearly see their child's progress and they are encouraged to fully participate in their children's learning. The childminder has developed an excellent partnership with the local pre-school her children attend. They work together with the parents to address

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and outcomes for children

Children have excellent opportunities to learn about keeping safe and adopting healthy lifestyles. Children are independent in the childminder's home as they select toys and resources from low level storage and learn to use tools safely, although they are not always encouraged to fully participate and take on responsibilities and play a part in the setting. Children eagerly enjoy strawberries, bananna and raisins for their snack and water is available throughout the day to keep children well hydrated. A healthy eating policy is in place and children's individual dietary needs and/or allergies are recorded from the outset. Children are encouraged to maintain healthy lifestyles, and they begin to understand why good hygiene habits are important. Children's behaviour is excellent. The childminder promotes good behaviour and manners through positive reinforcement and being a good role model. Children are highly motivated and the stimulating learning

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and outcomes for children

environment promotes their enthusiasm. The childminder participates in children's play enthusiastically and children benefit from her interaction and involvement. A clear and positive behaviour management policy is shared with parents. This inspection was carried out under sections 49 and 50 of the Childcare Act 2006 Continuous discussion with parents about children's behaviour ensures a consistent approach to their care. 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 2 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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