Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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221047 Unique Reference Number 08 November 2006 Inspection date Jan Clarke-Potter 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 has been registered since 2000. She lives with her husband and seven year old child in a residential area in a suburb of Northampton. There are a number of community facilities within walking distance, and the childminder has use of a car. Areas of the premises used for the purpose of childminding include the whole of the downstairs and the fully enclosed garden. Young children needing a sleep do so on the ground floor of the house. The family has a dog.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for a maximum of five children under eight years. She currently minds six children under eight at various times.

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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 are cared for in warm, welcoming, clean home where they learn the importance of good hygiene and personal care. They learn why they must wash their hands after using the toilet and use of individual wipes and disposable gloves reduces the risk of germs. Children's health and well-being is supported by the childminder's knowledge of paediatric first aid and sound arrangements are in place to exchange information with parents for the administration of medicines and any accidents. The paediatric first aid certificate is up to date and this ensures children’s health is safeguarded. Close liaison with parents helps the childminder to meet the children's care needs and she gains information from the parents to ensure their dietary needs are well met.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn the importance of healthy eating because the childminder keeps herself up to date with current practices. The childminder ensures that a range of fresh fruit is available at snack times. Whilst she does not provide meals for children she ensures that any the parents provide are stored appropriately at the right temperature and served in a way that encourages children to eat well and enjoy mealtimes as a social occasion. Children have access to drinking water at all times, the younger children's beakers are kept filled and available to them. The childminder reminds them to help themselves to regular drinks, keeping them well hydrated and comfortable.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children thrive as they enjoy an extensive range of physical activities and have regular opportunities for fresh air and exercise. They regularly walk to and from school. Outdoor play and visits to the park include a range of activities which ensures they have fresh air and physical activity to aid their good health.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are cared for in a welcoming, secure and safe indoor and outdoor environment. The children are very well supervised and cared for within a safe environment, with the childminder working hard to minimise risks both inside and outside of the home. This gives children a suitable environment to explore and play safely. Children can make choices where to play inside, they learn to keep themselves safe indoors as they learn to clear away toys and not run in the kitchen. During outings the childminder helps them to understand how to keep safe by talking to them about road safety. Children develop good understanding and awareness of what to do in an emergency by regular practice of fire drills.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children independently select activities from a wide range of good quality toys and equipment that is suitable for their age and stage of development. The childminder keeps a check on the condition of the equipment, keeping it clean and safe for children's use. Children's welfare is safeguarded as the required procedures and documents are in place for child protection. The childminder has a good understanding of child protection issues because she is clear on the relevant agencies to contact.

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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 outstanding. Children settle very well, they make themselves at home in the childminder's house. Toddlers are secure because they have very good relationships with the childminder, and develop a sense of belonging. Older children are confident, independent and developing their self-esteem. The childminder uses her knowledge of the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework and children’s own interests to help plan a wide variety of activities. She makes observations of the children, identifies their next steps of learning, and she shares this with parents on a regular basis. Photos, displays, children's work and information is displayed around the playroom. This enables parents to be familiar with the aims of the setting and also helps encourage children's self-esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children's daily routines are completely maintained because the childminder discusses these and other stages of development thoroughly with their parents to ensure she has the information she needs to care for them. Children of all ages relate very well to each other. They play in small or larger groups depending on the activity. Children become independent as they are able to choose between a wide variety of toys, books and activities, which appeal to all, and they help clear away the toys afterwards. Children's physical development is encouraged by playing on equipment in the garden and through regular trips to the park where they are able to extend large motor skills by climbing and balancing on equipment and playing with bats and balls. Children's social and emotional skills are encouraged through regular outings into the local community where they attend childminding support groups and carer and toddler groups,

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

which helps builds their confidence. The childminder knows the children very well and provides opportunities to explore their feelings and those of others in a safe and caring environment, to help develop their own identity and self esteem.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children are stimulated with exciting activities which are well thought out and planned by the childminder in order to meet and challenge their developmental needs. Children sit and concentrate, and are able to count how many conkers there are and enjoy many opportunities for mark making and their attempts are encouraged and valued. They share books, sing nursery rhymes and sing-a-long songs which helps develop their language skills. They enjoy bubble painting and experiment with different textures such as salt dough and cornflour. They join in with excitement when they learn about different rhythm and sounds when they play with a variety of simple musical instruments. They develop their manipulative skills as they use paint brushes, pens, crayons and pencils, they draw and paint creatively. Children's pictures on the wall show how they have contributed to their own play and learning. They learn to share, take

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

turns and cooperate when they play in the home corner together and pretend to be a shop or when it becomes a puppet theatre.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals. The childminder supports children's individual needs well and they are able to follow their normal routines. She helps children learn about other cultures and beliefs through discussion and participation in a range of interesting activities. This provides a positive view of the wider world and increases children's awareness of diversity

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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 and their understanding of others. There are well understood systems in place when children need extra care and support for their differing needs. The childminder liaises with other agencies and parents in order to promote the welfare of children. The childminder has a very positive approach to behaviour management expecting and receiving good behaviour. Children are aware of house rules and show respect for the boundaries set. Children respond well to the childminder's clear, consistent and realistic expectations of them. They are well behaved, develop a positive self image and take pride in their achievements, because they are readily praised.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Relationships with parents are both professional and friendly. Through daily sharing of information, both written and verbal, which includes a daily diary of the activities the child has been involved in. In this way the childminder ensures that parents are kept fully aware of the level of care the child receives and of any future activities which the child might participate in.

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Organisation

The organisation is satisfactory. Children feel at home in the childminder's care. Space, routines and resources are organised well to meet the children's needs. This enables them to confidently initiate and extend their play. Adults are appropriately vetted and the childminder ensures that adult and child ratios are maintained at all times. Children are able to play and learn independently, as well as receiving one to one support. She has carefully thought about which areas of her home to use for childminding to ensure children have the space and freedom to play. Children's welfare, care and learning is assured by the childminder's policies and procedures. However, children's records and parent contracts are not available for inspection and therefore children's welfare is not fully supported. Overall, the children's needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was required to complete an appropriate first aid course which she has completed which includes first aid for infants and young children, this ensure children's continuing health and safety. She was also required to develop an agreement with parents regarding managing behaviour. She liaises with parents on their child's behaviour whenever necessary and promotes children's good behaviour as a result they are very well behaved, this further ensures their welfare and promotes their self esteem.

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that require the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards. The provider is required to keep a record of complaints made by parents, which they can see upon request. The complaints record may contain complaints other than those made to Ofsted.

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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

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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 all the children's records and contracts with parents are maintained and are readily available for inspection at all times.

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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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