Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

p.1

257352 Unique Reference Number 31 August 2006 Inspection date Clare Elizabeth Pook Inspector

p.1

Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

p.1

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.1

ABOUT THIS INSPECTION

The purpose of this inspection is to assure government, parents and the public of the quality of childcare and, if applicable, of nursery education. The inspection was carried out under Part XA Children Act 1989 as introduced by the Care Standards Act 2000 and, where nursery education is provided, under Schedule 26 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998. This report details the main strengths and any areas for improvement identified during the inspection. The judgements included in the report are made in relation to the outcomes for children set out in the Children Act 2004; the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding; and, where nursery education is provided, the Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage. The report includes information on any complaints about the childcare provision which Ofsted has received since the last inspection or registration or 1 April 2004 whichever is the later.

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

Outstanding: this aspect of the provision is of exceptionally high quality Good: this aspect of the provision is strong Satisfactory: this aspect of the provision is sound Inadequate: this aspect of the provision is not good enough

p.2

The key inspection judgements and what they mean

For more information about early years inspections, please see the booklet Are you ready for your inspection? which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk.

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.2

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 2001. She lives with her husband and two grown up children in the village of Raunds, Northamptonshire. The whole ground floor and an upstairs computer room of the childminder’s house is used for childminding and there is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The childminder walks to local schools to take and collect children. She attends the local parent and toddler groups.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently minding fifteen children, all of whom attend on a part-time basis. The childminder has a pet dog.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder has effective systems in place to support children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

p.2

WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.2

Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children are being cared for in a warm and clean environment where the childminder practises good hygiene routines, which minimise the spread of infection and she encourages children to do the same. As a result the children are learning about good personal hygiene skills. Children understand and can explain why they need to wash their hands after using the toilet and before eating to remove dirt and germs.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

The childminder's secure knowledge of appropriate first aid treatment ensures children receive good care and attention. Accident records are appropriately maintained and suitable measures taken when children are ill so that health needs are met. Although permission is sought to administer medication and a basic record is kept, the system used does not clearly show what is consent and what is a record of the medication administered, therefore not showing a true record of what a child has been given.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children have good opportunities to understand the benefits of having a healthy diet. They are well nourished and offered healthy snacks such as fresh and dried fruit. The childminder takes account of children's preferences and parental wishes regarding meals. Drinks are offered regularly and suitable arrangements in place for children to access additional drinks when they are thirsty.

p.3

Helping children to be healthy

Children are learning about the importance of keeping the body healthy and fit through daily walks and playing in the garden or trips to the lakes or play parks. Children under three years are cared for very well. They have space to move about and play, pull themselves up as well as being able to rest and sleep according to their individual needs.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. The childminder has a sound knowledge and understanding of how to keep children safe. The premises is safe, secure, warm and welcoming for children to play in. The childminder has taken positive steps to minimise risks to children in her home to keep them safe, by appropriate use of safety gates, socket covers, cupboard locks. The toys and equipment used by the children are in very good condition and maintained in good working order. There is an enclosed garden which is suitable and safe for children to play in.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder maintains close supervision of children at all times and has implemented effective procedures to safeguard children on outings. Children's awareness of road safety issues is promoted during local walks. Suitable harnesses and straps are used in buggies to keep children safe. Children are also learning how to carry out emergency procedures through role play situations involving contacting the emergency services.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder is aware of her duty to child protection. She has a clear understanding of what to do if she had concerns for a child, however at present she does not record existing injuries.

p.3

Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 As a result a full picture of any concerns she may have for children may not be able to be completed.

p.3

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is outstanding. Children thoroughly enjoy coming to the childminder's home. They are fully engaged in well planned activities which stimulate and occupy their interests. They are content to play on their own or with others. They are enthusiastic to take part in activities and concentrate and persevere well when making masks, which the childminder has previously organised and prepared in advance. They behave well and have a secure awareness of right and wrong. They have made a range of crafts over the summer including passports, making and posting postcards, plaster mould hands and flower pots. Children play an active part in the setting and make choices about what they do. They are confident to ask for additional resources such as the babies or dressing up. Children's independent skills are shown through routine tasks such as washing their hands, hanging up their coats, taking their shoes off and accessing resources.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children work well alongside each other, taking part in role play situations, for example, playing doctors. The older children acted out emergency first aid and the recovery position, whilst the younger children enjoyed playing with the stethoscope and issuing plasters to the patients. Later different children enjoyed dressing up, whilst others sat quietly playing on the play station. The childminder interacts well with the children and has formed secure relationships with them. She supports them where necessary, but allows them time to try things for themselves. The childminder shows a genuine interest in the children's conversations. She encourages them to think about what they are doing, for example working through the process of checking if someone is breathing. Children are keen to show photographs of past activities they have done and share past experiences.

p.4

Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has attended training on 'Birth to three matters' framework and has successfully incorporated this in her practice. The childminder has produced folders of children's work and linked them to the four aspects of the framework. Each month the childminder writes a few comments about what the children can do under the different aspects and shares this with parents. This enables parents to clearly see how their child is progressing.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are happy, settled and are valued and respected as individuals. Consequently, children feel confident and content in the childminder's care. Children learn about diversity and the wider community through discussion, access to books which reflect positive images, dressing up and activities linked to festivals such as Chinese New Year. Children's individual religious or cultural preferences are recorded and the childminder respects these. Children make choices and decisions about their play and can easily access toys themselves.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

The childminder has a good awareness of effective behaviour management strategies which are appropriate to the differing ages and stages of development of the child. She is calm and

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 positive with the children, using lots of praise and encouragement to promote good behaviour and develop a child's self-esteem. Children are polite and well-mannered. Although the age range between some of the children is nearly ten years, they take turns playing games and share resources such as the doctors kit well.

p.4

Helping children make a positive contribution

Children's welfare is further promoted by the secure relationships the childminder has with the parents. Information about the children's day is exchanged with parents verbally as well as in a daily diary. Individual scrap books contain examples of children craft and activities which are shared with the parents. Children under three years have folders linked to their development in line with the 'Birth to three matters' framework. Information regarding the children's individual needs, likes, allergies, religious preferences are gained from parents on beginning their placement and is recorded on the children's information sheets. The childminder encourages several visits and a settling in period for new children, this helps children to feel secure in their environment and content in the childminder's home.

p.5

Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder organises her time and space effectively to ensure that the needs of all children are met. The toys are easily accessible by the children and set out attractively. Children's individual routines are respected for meals and rests and the childminder ensures that the day includes a variety of activities both indoors and outdoors. The childminder has time to spend with children individually which helps to build close relationships.

p.5

Organisation

The childminder has completed her Introduction to Childminding course and first aid. She has a positive attitude to training and has completed several courses including, behaviour management and 'Birth to three matters'. In addition children's well-being is promoted by the childminder keeping well organised records and sharing policies and procedures with parents. This helps to contribute towards the continuity of the children's care.

p.5

Organisation

Overall, the childminder meets the range of children's needs who attend.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

The childminder has made good progress since the last inspection. The contents of her first aid kit is now in line with recommendations set out on the first aid course enabling her to deal with minor accidents and emergencies appropriately.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

Since the last inspection the childminder has obtained additional resources that reflect our diverse society. These include a range of puzzles, dressing up clothes such as Saris, Chinese bowls and chop sticks for children to use at meal times and has planned activities relating to different cultural festivals throughout the year.

p.5

Improvements since the last inspection

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.5

Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since 1 April 2004. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see on request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

p.6

THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

The quality and standards of the care are good. The registered person meets the National Standards for under 8s day care and childminding.

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

To improve the quality and standards of care further the registered person should take account of the following recommendation(s): • develop the system for obtaining written permission from parents and the recording of the administration of medication to clearly show what is consent and what is the record • improve records for keeping children safe by developing a system to record any existing injuries

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

set out in the leaflet Complaints about Ofsted Early Years: concerns or complaints about Ofsted's role in regulating and inspecting childcare and early education (HMI ref no 2599) which is available from Ofsted's website: www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.6

The quality and standards of the care

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000

p.6