Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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Unique Reference Number EY330831 Inspection date 14 August 2006 Inspector Brenda Turner

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Type of inspection Childcare Type of care Childminding

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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 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 2006. She lives with her husband and daughter aged three years in the Headlands area of Daventry in Northamptonshire. There are shops, a school and parks within walking distance. All areas of the property are used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden for outside play. The family has one cat. The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children at any one time and is currently minding one child. 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 good. Children’s health is well promoted because the childminder maintains good standards of hygiene that prevent the spread of infection. For example, children learn to understand simple good health and hygiene practices, such as washing their hands before snacks and meals and after using the bathroom. Children are well taken care of if they have an accident because the childminder is appropriately trained to administer first aid and follow the required procedures. Children are well nourished and have their health and dietary needs met as the childminder works cooperatively with parents. Children’s individual likes, dislikes and parent’s wishes are taken into account when meals are planned. Children choose what they would like to eat and are sensitively encouraged to try different foods such as fajitas. They are reminded to take regular drinks during hot weather and particularly enjoy 'ice pops' in their drinks to help them to stay cool. Children take part

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Helping children to be healthy

in and enjoy regular physical activity such as skipping, walking to the town centre, walking to and around the local country park and visits to ‘Adventure Land’ play area. Healthy exercise such as this helps children to develop their physical skills and to stay fit and well.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children and parents are warmly welcomed into a safe and secure childminding home where space and resources are effectively organised to promote children’s development. Children are happy and settled and play well together. Young children new to the setting are very well supported to relate positively to the childminder and become familiar with different surroundings. A good range of age-appropriate and well-maintained equipment and resources are properly organised and attractively set out to interest children and to help them make informed choices about what they would like to do. They play safely side by side, with one another, sharing and taking turns and moving indoors and outdoors. Children’s safety is well supported because the childminder takes positive steps to promote safety within the setting and on outings and ensures appropriate safety measures are applied to avoid dangerous situations. For example, young children do

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

not have unsupervised access to the stairs and sharp corners on shelving units are protected. Children learn to keep themselves safe because the childminder encourages them to begin to understand about safety issues. Older children explain why scissors must be used carefully, ‘so that you don’t hurt yourself.’ Clear rules such as, no running indoors ensure that children move safely in and around the childminding home. Children are further safeguarded because the childminder understands her role in child protection and is able to put appropriate procedures into practice when necessary.

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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. Children’s development and learning is well promoted because the childminder provides a wide range of interesting age-appropriate first-hand play and learning opportunities. The children are very enthusiastic and interested in what they do, for example, the childminder follows their idea to make cat masks out of foam and to cut up a feather boa to make cat’s tails. Some children with adult support develop observations skills as they consider and discuss what is happening in a picture. Others freely access a very good range of creative play materials, for example, paint, glitter-glue, brushes, glue spreaders and paper. This supports children's creativity, design skills and self-esteem as they see their achievements are valued and displayed. Children begin to recognise familiar words and sound out the first letter of a word. They consider and discuss objects that are light and heavy and learn about

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

opposites, such as what is wet and what is dry? They discover, discuss and match different shapes which helps them to begin to learn about mathematical concepts. Children who are settling in with the childminder are encouraged to try new activities at their own pace and in their own time in a safe supportive environment. This helps children to build up their confidence and self-esteem. They begin to distinguish between right and wrong and form positive relationships with the childminder and with one another. Older children show care and consideration for younger children because the childminder clearly explains to them the different needs of younger children.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are cared for by the childminder who works cooperatively with parents to meet individual children’s needs and ensure they are fully included in all aspects of the childminding day. The childminder has experience of working with children who need extra support on a one-to-one basis. She has thought about how she will adapt activities and work with children who may have learning difficulties. Children begin to learn about the local community because they regularly enjoy outings to the library, town centre and local children’s groups. However, there are few resources that show positive images of people from different cultures, and varying abilities. This limits the opportunity for children to learn about children and adults who are different from themselves. Children are happy and settled and feel a sense of belonging. As a result they confidently make choices, take decisions and play contentedly together. Children

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Helping children make a positive contribution

begin to understand responsible behaviour. They receive calm and consistent support from the childminder who knows the children well and manages and guides their behaviour in a positive, warm and caring way. Consequently their behaviour is good. They willingly help with age-appropriate tasks, such as tidying up or setting out plates and cups. This develops children’s independence and a positive attitude to work together and help others.

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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’s welfare, development and progress are well supported because the childminder develops and maintains a good working partnership with parents. An example of this is that clear and comprehensive information is provided for parents in a portfolio that also includes policies and procedures. This ensures that parents are fully informed about all aspects of their child’s care. However, the certificate of registration is not displayed for parents to see. Consequently, children’s welfare is not fully promoted because parents are not totally aware of the childminder’s conditions of registration. Children benefit from regular daily communication between the childminder and their parents. A very good settling in arrangement for new children ensures that their individual needs are identified and met whilst they are becoming

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Helping children make a positive contribution

familiar with a new carer and different surroundings.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children are well protected and cared for by the childminder who has a very good knowledge and understanding of child development. Children benefit because the childminder makes good use of her experience, knowledge and skills acquired when working in a group day care setting. As a result, play and learning opportunities are well planned and organised to support children’s play, learning, development and achievement. The childminder has a high regard for the well-being of the children. She follows the required policies and procedures and gives good attention to aspects of safety. Useful records are properly completed to ensure the care and welfare of the children is effectively maintained. Documents and confidential records are efficiently organised and stored in portable units with individual drawers. These are clearly labelled to assist easy access to relevant information as required. The units

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Organisation

are removed and stored safely after the childminding day.

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Complaints since the last inspection

There have been no complaints made to Ofsted since registration. 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

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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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 resources that show positive images of culture, race and disability • comply with conditions of registration with regard to displaying the certificate

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The quality and standards of the care

procedures set out in the leaflet Building better childcare: Compliments and concerns about inspectors' judgements 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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