Childminder in North Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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220829 Unique Reference Number 10 August 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 1991 and holds recognised childcare qualifications. She lives with her grown up daughter and four foster children in a house in Northamptonshire. The family have two dogs and a rabbit. The downstairs of the house, with the exception of the kitchen is used for minding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outdoor play. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of three children under eight years and is currently caring for two children on an occasional basis. She walks to local schools to take and collect children. The childminder is a member of the National Childminding Association.

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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 satisfactory. Children enjoy a suitable range of outdoor activities that contribute to their good health. On the occasional days when minding takes place, the children may walk to and from the school and often visit the local park to play on the fixed equipment. 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 clean home where they begin to learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. Children learn why they must wash their hands after using the toilet and before handling food, and this reduces the risk of cross contamination. Children stay healthy because the childminder controls infection by excluding children who become sick or unwell. Documentation is suitably in place to record medication, accidents and incidents. The childminder keeps her first aid qualification up-to-date. However, children's welfare may be compromised because the childminder does not yet request permission to seek emergency medical advice or treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children do not usually require a meal during the limited minding hours. However, the childminder provides drinks and snacks as appropriate to ensure a varied and balanced diet in line with the wishes of parents and carers.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are very safe and well cared for because the childminder gives excellent priority to safety within her home. She keeps her front door locked at all times and has attended a recent training course on 'Safety in the Home'. Children are able to move around and play freely and independently because the childminder has conscientiously identified and minimised all risks. Proper safety measures such as safety gates and socket covers are in place. The childminder has clear evacuation procedures which help to keep children safe in the event of an emergency. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder has clear rules and routines in order to maintain their safety inside and outside the home. For example, the childminder insists that children play downstairs where she can supervise them properly. When out walking, children must hold onto the buggy and the childminder carries wrist straps and reins in her bag to secure

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children feel at ease in this relaxed and friendly home environment. Space is used well to ensure that children may play safely under direct supervision at all times. Children independently select activities from a suitable range of resources, which are in a good state of repair and are age appropriate. The childminder safeguards children's welfare because she attends regular update training in child protection. This ensures that she has a robust understanding of child protection in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board procedures.

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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

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The childminder only minds occasionally on request and ensures that children are extremely well cared for. This childminder has an extensive knowledge and understanding of child development and is able to provide highly individualised care for children. She is familiar with the 'Birth to three matters' framework and uses this effectively to support her practice. Children enjoy their play and build friendly relationships with this childminder and her family. The older children are very caring and affectionate with the younger ones. They cuddle them, sit them on their knee and talk fondly to them. The childminder actively promotes learning through play. For example, she encourages a three-year-old to tell her what colour the crayons are and compares these to the child's clothes, suggesting that the crayon is blue like the child's shorts and green like the grass. She encourages the child to count the crayons and proudly explains

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

her successes in promoting language skills in the children for whom she provides care. Older children demonstrate sustained concentration and focus on a self-chosen, card making activity, using a variety of stickers and decorations. When they have finished, the younger children want to copy their older friends and the childminder skilfully adapts the resources to suit the different age and stage of development of the children. The childminder is very calm and consistent when dealing with challenging behaviour. She reinforces the desired behaviour by reminding the children to share the crayons and swaps the crayons for thicker ones which are easier to use and don't break.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is satisfactory. Children learn about their local community as they walk to and from school and visit local parks. Children have access to books and resources which promote an awareness of diversity. Children are clearly valued and respected as individuals. The childminder meets their needs through the daily routine as discussed with their parents and is conscientious in researching appropriate information to enable her to meet children's particular needs. Children show care and concern for each other and they behave very well in response to the childminder's clear boundaries for acceptable behaviour and consistent expectations. The childminder completes required documents such as contracts and record forms and chats to parents at delivery and collection times. She provides a notice board for parents in her hallway which provides information about her services.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. The childminder is highly confident in her childcare practice and uses her informal policies and procedures to underpin her business. She uses her warm personality and her life experience to promote positive outcomes for children, backed up with a real commitment to continuous training and personal development. The childminder is able to enrich children's care, learning and play through her constant interaction and interest because she devotes her time and attention to the children when minding. Children confidently choose activities and the childminder encourages them to extend their experiences. Children's welfare and education is

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Organisation

This inspection was carried out under the provisions of Part XA of the Children Act 1989, as inserted by the Care Standards Act 2000 properly supported through the childminder's clear use of informal verbal routines which cover the National Standards. The provision meets the needs of the children who attend.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, seven recommendations were made to improve the childcare practice. The childminder has completed a first aid qualification and ensures that medication procedures meet requirements. All car documentation is available for inspection and the childminder gains written consent to allow another childminder to offer occasional minding. She ensures that play promotes children's overall development and that resources reflect positive images. The actions taken have improved the safety and welfare of children. However, the childminder has overlooked the request to gain written permission from parents for seeking emergency medical advice or treatment. This issue remains to be addressed following this inspection.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted 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): • ensure that permission is sought from parents at the time of placement for the seeking of any medical advice or treatment in the future.

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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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