Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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220584 Unique Reference Number 15 March 2007 Inspection date Rachael Mankiewicz 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 1998. She lives with her husband and three children - two girls aged 14 and 11 years and a boy aged 10 years - in a four bedroomed house in a cul-de-sac in Brackley. There are a number of community facilities, including pre-schools, schools, shops, library and leisure centre and recreational areas, within walking distance of the house. The childminder has use of a car during the day.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The ground floor, including the lounge and cloakroom, is used for childminding. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play. The family have a pet dog and a cat.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to care for six children at any one time and is currently caring time for three children under the age of five and two school age children.

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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 a warm and very clean home. They learn the importance of good hygiene practices through daily routines and become increasingly independent in their self-care skills. For example, children wash their hands after using the toilet, after messy play, and before meals. This sustains levels of hygiene and helps to prevent the spread of infection. An excellent nappy changing routine is in place. Children are encouraged to clean their teeth after lunch. Children's health and well-being are further supported by the childminder through her knowledge of paediatric first aid and by having consented arrangements for seeking emergency medical treatment.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are developing a good awareness of a healthy lifestyle as they partake in good physical activities, and make independent choices from healthy snacks and drinks. They are encouraged to spend as much time as possible in the fresh air whatever the weather. Effective use of the outside area provides extended play opportunities to develop their physical skills and help them enjoy physical exercise. For example, activities are set out in the garden during fine weather and they regularly walk around the town. Children use a range of play equipment indoors and outside which encourages the use of their large muscles and helps them gain good control over their bodies. This takes place both at the childminder’s home and at activity centres. Older children explore and test their physical skills during more challenging activities. Crafts, art work and construction activities encourage children’s co-ordination and creativity.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children learn about healthy food, food hygiene and dental care as they talk about the healthy snacks they eat with the childminder. Meals from home are appropriately stored and food is provided in accordance with the wishes of the parents to help promote the children's healthy growth and development and meet the children’s dietary requirements. Some children are provided with hot meals and snacks, such as spaghetti bolognaise, roast meals and pizzas. Children are encouraged to drink from their accessible beakers and they are developing an awareness of the benefits of frequent fluids to ensure they are well hydrated.

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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 secure home where the risks of accidental injury are minimised during indoor and outdoor activities because the childminder supervises the children well and tries to identify potential hazards. For example, the children can be seen whilst taking part in their individual and independent activities. They move around safely and independently within safe and secure areas and explore and make choices of what to play with. Children benefit from learning about road safety, stranger danger and how to show respect for the animals they meet at the childminder’s and on outings. Younger children develop an awareness of how to keep themselves safe from harm as they are guided to use toys and equipment safely. All required safety equipment is provided within the home, and all toys and equipment are of high quality and appropriate for the children's age and stage of development. The childminder carefully

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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 monitors the condition of the equipment, keeping it safe for children's use and supervising their choice of resources but allowing them some challenge.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children's welfare is further promoted and safeguarded through the childminder's good working knowledge of local child protection procedures. The childminder keeps appropriate written documentation and procedures to promote the children's welfare. For example, she maintains required records which are shared fully with parents. Children are involved in regular and recorded fire drills and fire safety discussions.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. Children are settled and enjoy their time at the childminder's home. They choose from resources that are appropriate for their age and stage of development, building on their natural curiosity as learners. Young children gain personal confidence through the high levels of attention they receive and the support given throughout the day. Their individual needs are met as the childminder establishes daily routines but is able to adapt when a child is tired and then rest is offered appropriately. Activities are chosen to help meet the children's individual needs, interests and abilities. The childminder uses her knowledge and experience to deliver the appropriate service. However, the childminder does not use a formal framework such as 'Birth to three matters', to take children on to their next stage of development.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children enthusiastically spend time playing with the toys they have chosen both indoors and outside, and build on their concentration span with the encouragement of the childminder. For example, children experience with great interest and pleasure gluing activities with pre-cut shapes which encourage many areas of development including hand-eye co-ordination, sorting and shape recognition. Younger children are introduced to age-appropriate toys and begin to use creative resources. Children have free access to a good range of age-appropriate books. Great emphasis is put on children’s physical development as children are encouraged to develop large and small muscle skills, both in the home and at activity centres and other group activities.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Older children enjoy a relaxed session after school as they learn and play at their own pace and complete activities in their own time. They share and take turns as they use the PlayStation and as they follow the rules of a range of board games. Children enjoy regular outings. They visit farms and activity centres. This broadens the children's range of experiences and develops their social skills.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are treated as individuals and feel valued because the childminder knows them and their families well and meets their individual needs. This helps them feel secure and at ease within her home. Children have easy access to a very good range of play resources and activities and they enthusiastically move between them. They are encouraged to develop their independence and learn to take responsibility. Older children are encouraged to organise their own time and play.

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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 are aware of the wider community they live in as they meet different people around the town, on outings further afield and at a range of children’s groups. Children play with a range of resources that positively reflect people of different races, cultures and abilities. Celebrating festivals and differences helps children develop an understanding of the wider world. Children are kind and caring towards each other as they develop an understanding of the needs of others. They begin to share and play together as they are encouraged to take turns with toys and share the attention of the childminder. All the children's achievements are valued and praised and their behaviour is good. The childminder shares her positive behaviour management strategies with the parents.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children benefit from the excellent relationships between the childminder and the parents as continuity of care is seen as important. The childminder offers comprehensive written information about her minding service, including policies and procedures. However, recent changes to the procedures for making complaints have not been made available to parents. Initial information sharing is seen as paramount to help establish routines and enable the childminder to meet the needs of the individual children. Verbal information exchange takes place on a daily basis regarding children's care and routines, which helps to ensure consistent care for the children. Currently there are no children with learning difficulties and/or disabilities attending but the childminder has past experience and ensures that she works with parents and other professionals to meet each child's needs.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Children feel at home and at ease in the childminder's care. Effective routines, which include well-organised time and space, benefit the children. The childminder provides a good range of play opportunities. Resources are easily accessible and children eagerly explore their environment. For example, younger children know what is in the play boxes and search out various items such as the jigsaw puzzles they particularly like to complete. Their safety and welfare is well maintained by the childminder who has a clear understanding of the National Standards and of her responsibilities to the children and their parents. The childminder provides a consistent and flexible service for parents and children. Children’s care is promoted through the detailed documentation as part of the good organisation of the childminder. The childminder’s portfolio and her commitment to personal development are factors which show

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Organisation

that she sees the importance of quality care for children. She takes positive steps to ensure that persons who have contact with the children are suitable persons and where appropriate satisfactorily completes the relevant checks. The regular exchange of verbal information between the childminder and parent ensures that there is consistency of care. Overall, children’s needs are met.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection, the childminder was asked to review some aspects of her paper work regarding information sharing with parents. These improvements have been made to ensure that parents are fully informed to enable all to work together to support the children’s well-being.

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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

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Complaints since the last inspection

Since the last inspection there have been no complaints made to Ofsted that required the provider or Ofsted to take any action in order to meet the National Standards.

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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): • continue to ensure that children make progress across the areas of development by using an approach in line with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework • ensure that parents are made aware of the changes to the complaints procedures and that the record of complaints is made available to parents on request.

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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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