Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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220786 Unique Reference Number 06 July 2006 Inspection date Susan Marriott Inspector

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Childcare Type of inspection Childminding Type of care

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

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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.

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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

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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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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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.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder was registered in 1992. She lives with her husband and their 14-year-old daughter in a house in the Lodge Park area of Corby, Northamptonshire. She is registered to care for six children under eight years and is currently caring for 12 children on a flexible basis during term time and 10 children during school holidays. Local amenities including shops and a park are within walking distance. The whole house is accessible to children, though minding takes place mainly in the kitchen/diner and lounge downstairs with the bathroom facilities upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has a pet hamster and the childminder runs a mother and toddler group.

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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

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Helping children to be healthy

The provision is good. Children enjoy a suitable range of activities that contribute to their good health. Children have the opportunity to play every day in the garden equipped with a wide range of outdoor equipment. The children are out in the fresh air daily as they walk everywhere with the childminder. She delivers and collects children to and from schools and pre-schools. They enjoy regular visits to local parks, indoor playgrounds, toddler groups, the local boating lake and wildlife area. This supports the development and improvement of children’s physical skills.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are cared for in a warm, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Children learn to keep themselves healthy as they chat about washing the germs off their hands. Young children are able to sleep according to their needs in a suitable quiet area of the house. The childminder has a clear informal hygiene policy which she implements consistently to prevent the spread of infection when dealing with bodily fluids and potties. Sound procedures are in place for children who are unwell and the childminder always acts in the best interests of the child concerned. She maintains an accident book in accordance with requirements and keeps her first aid certificate up to date. All parental permissions are in place to protect children's welfare.

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Helping children to be healthy

The childminder ensures that healthy snacks are available for children but most parents choose to provide a packed lunch from home. The childminder finds that this ensures that parents are in full control of their child's diet. Children enjoy choosing what they want to eat at snack and can access drinks at all times so they do not become thirsty.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for within a clean, tidy, safe and secure home environment. The childminder makes good use of space to provide many purposeful activities and opportunities for children. Children independently select activities from a broad range of resources, efficiently stored in storage boxes brought into the living room. Toys and equipment are in a good state of repair and are age appropriate. The childminder carefully monitors and supervises children's choice of toys, to ensure that small parts cannot present a hazard and that they are suitably challenging for the child's age and stage of development.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The childminder has identified and minimised all risks, ensuring children are able to move around and play safely, freely and independently. Appropriate safety measures are in place and the childminder vigilantly supervises children at all times. The childminder gives high priority to helping children understand how to keep themselves safe, and has clear rules and routines in order to maintain their safety outside the home. Children know the rules well. The childminder teaches the children the Green Cross Code and uses a 'walking bus system' to ensure children's safety. The childminder robustly safeguards children's welfare and has a simple written policy which is shared with parents. Children are very safe with the childminder, who has a highly

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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 secure understanding of child protection in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children enjoy themselves in this home from home environment where the childminder treats each child as her own. The childminder is highly skilled at developing the children's knowledge and understanding through discussions and their play. Children talk about the violent storms which occurred the day before the inspection and learn to count through playing the game 'What's the time Mr Wolf'. The childminder uses her life experience and intuitively incorporates elements of the 'Birth to three matters' framework to support her work with young children. She actively involves the younger children in her domestic routine and consequently they make good progress in learning, leisure and personal development. For example, children help to peg out the washing and count as they secure pegs top the bottom of the clothes. Children develop confidence and self-esteem as they help to tidy up the toys and receive lots of praise for their

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children make independent choices in their play and are able to choose from a wide variety of toys and equipment, which are placed within easy reach. They love to play with the dressing up clothes and model Power Ranger suits and a blue-spotted dinosaur for the inspector. Children form good relationships with the childminder which makes them feel secure and fosters a sense of belonging. They visit the 'community room' to experience messy play. They learn to cooperate and play together harmoniously. For example, whilst playing in the garden, two children put on sound effect fire helmets and put out the pretend fire in the flower bed. They extend their play imaginatively and announce 'we're wearing masks'. The childminder is very attentive to the individual needs of the children and ensures they have a balanced and stimulating programme of activities throughout the day. She ensures that each child has some 'quality one to one time'

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

whilst the others are resting, at school or not attending.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is outstanding. Children’s awareness of diversity and their understanding of others is actively increased because the childminder provides books and toys which reflect a range of disabilities and cultures to promote a positive view of the wider world. She actively encourages disabled friends to visit her home so that the minded children develop an understanding of disability through the normal daily routine. Children learn about their local community as they travel to and from school, and visit mother and toddler groups, other childminders and local parks. The childminder plans ahead and skilfully anticipates the potential needs of children in her care. This childminder has an excellent knowledge and understanding of learning difficulties and/ or disabilities which ensures that children receive highly appropriate and sensitive support. Children know where they stand because the childminder is extremely consistent in her management of challenging

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Helping children make a positive contribution

behaviours. Children learn about the consequences of their actions and begin to learn to play with others in a true spirit of cooperation and respect. She is caring and fair and this ensures that children behave well because they know what is expected of them.

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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 Children and their parents are highly valued and respected as individuals. The childminder initially seeks as much information about the child as possible to help the settling in process and then takes the time and trouble to get to know them really well. The childminder meets their needs through the daily routine as discussed with their parents. The childminder encourages all parents to discuss any problems they may have with the care given to their child and has a suitable complaints procedure in line with new requirements. The childminder ensures that daily discussion about the service provided keeps parents informed about their child's activities. Many parents have taken the time and trouble to write highly complementary testimonies and say that the childminder is totally supportive in every possible way. Parents regard their

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Helping children make a positive contribution

childminder as outstandingly professional, honest and friendly and truly value the way in which she works closely with the school to provide continuity of care and education for their children.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are genuinely happy and content in the well-organised care of this highly experienced childminder, who prioritises continuity of care for children. She uses her maternal experience and sound common sense to promote very good outcomes for children. Children are well-protected and cared for because this childminder has a good knowledge and understanding of child development. Children feel part of an extended family and are gently nurtured in the interesting and stimulating environment. The childminder is conscientious in delivering all aspects of her service and uses her constantly developing formal procedures and routines to effectively promote the welfare, care and learning of all children. Although the childminder keeps a register of attendance, this does not show actual times of arrival and departure of children, because this information is noted elsewhere. The childminder has a clear knowledge

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Organisation

and understanding of the National Standards. She meets regularly with another childminder and together they up-date their knowledge through discussion and reading relevant literature such as 'Who Minds?', seeking to further enhance their good practice. All written parental permissions are in place and the childminder effectively meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to develop her knowledge and understanding of area child protection committee referral procedures. She has attended suitable training and has acquired the relevant literature to support her in dealing with suspected abuse. The childminder was also asked to provide an appropriate range of activities and resources that promote equality of opportunity and anti-discriminatory practice. She actively seeks to purchase such resources as funds allow and exchanges equipment with a childminder friend to maximise the use of these resources. The childminder was asked to request written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment and has done so. The actions taken have enhanced further, the standards of safety, care and welfare of children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Concerns were raised about the suitability of the provider following an incident involving the provider's husband. This relates to National Standard 1, Suitability. We carried out an

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Complaints 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 unannounced visit on 13 October 2005. As a result it was agreed that the incident did occur and that this will not happen again. It was further agreed that adults living on the premises would undertake health and criminal record bureau checks to assess on-going suitability of adults to be in regular contact with children.

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Complaints since the last inspection

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.

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THE QUALITY AND STANDARDS OF THE CARE

On the basis of the evidence collected on this inspection:

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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.

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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): • enhance the existing registration system to show actual times of arrival and departure of children on the main register.

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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

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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

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