Childminder in West Northamptonshire

Inspection report for early years provision

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221173 Unique Reference Number 19 February 2007 Inspection date Diane Mary O'Neill 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 a registered childminder since 1993. She lives with her husband and their two children aged 19 and 16 years in a residential area on the edge of Northampton. The areas of the house used for childminding purposes are the playroom, the lounge and the kitchen. The bathroom is on the first floor and children may also sleep upstairs. There is a fully enclosed garden available for outside play.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is registered to provide care for a maximum of six children at any one time and is currently minding three children under five. The childminder is within walking distant of local amenities and schools. The family has a pet golden retriever dog and two guinea pigs.

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WHAT SORT OF SETTING IS IT?

The childminder is a member of the Northampton Network of childminders and 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 stay healthy because the childminder follows good hygiene practices linked to her policies and procedures. The premises are maintained to an effective level of cleanliness. Children are protected from cross-infection by the childminder’s vigilance and at ensuring sufficient hand washing materials are available for the children. For example, having their own towels to dry their hands on.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children who may become ill whilst at the childminder's are made comfortable until their parents arrive. There are clear exclusion periods to minimise the spread of infection. The childminder has attended up-to-date first aid training; therefore she has a sound knowledge and understanding of dealing with any medical emergency. The attending of relevant training further extends her ability to care and protect children and to continually meet their individual needs. All required documentation is clear, concise and well maintained.

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Helping children to be healthy

Children are well supported to enable them to gain confidence to try new physical play experiences. The childminder provides these through a variety of stimulating play opportunities. This enables the children to develop their physical skills through the wide range of activities both inside and outside of the childminder's home. For example they walk to the local parks and toddler groups, as well as travelling further afield, to visit the farm and larger activity parks. Children are able to enjoy a wide variety of play equipment and experiences. This encourages them to develop and explore their physical skills and gain control of their bodies.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

The provision is good. Children are well protected as the childminder gives priority to ensure the security and safety of the premises, as well as the supervision of the children. The childminder records clear fire evacuation procedures and carries out fire drills with suitable frequency to ensure the safety of the children.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children are warmly welcomed into the bright and inviting environment. This is achieved through photos of the children involved in various activities as well the children’s own art work displayed in the play room. It is set out in an inviting manner which encourages the children to take part in the various activities on offer. Children are provided with choice and the freedom to make up their own games as well as being involved in some structured activities.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Equipment and resources are safely stored and clearly labelled so that children and the childminder can easily access them. There is an excellent variety of play materials which are stimulating, interesting and enable children to have fun and enjoyment, as well as challenging and developing their learning.

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Protecting children from harm or neglect and helping them stay safe

Children’s safety is paramount as the childminder shares responsibility with parents for their care. The childminder has a very good knowledge and understanding of child protection. She

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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 continually keeps up to date with information by attending regular training courses and keeping all the required guidance, policies and procedures in line with the Local Safeguarding Children Board and Department of Health guidance.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The provision is good. The children are very settled and happy in the childminder’s home. They are secure and confident with themselves and are extremely sociable. The children relate well with each other and the childminder. There is excellent use of communication and effective interaction which enables the children to be relaxed in her care. This was evident with the conversations taking place throughout the inspection. They enjoy playing games with the childminder. For example, the building of the train tracks to take the farm animals for a ride. They also enjoy sitting on the childminder's lap for a cuddle and listening to their favourite story.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

Children thrive in this stimulating and fun-filled environment. For example, the children enjoy pretending to be 'Bob the builder', as they use the toy tools to fix things. The childminder provides children with well balanced play and learning opportunities. They are encouraged to take part in energised and exciting play situations. For example, the children go on visits to an activity centre or to the farm. Equally they take part in calmer and quieter activities such as, story time and doing puzzles together.

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Helping children achieve well and enjoy what they do

The childminder has recently begun to use comprehensive planning linking this well with the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework. She is now looking to further her observations of the children to enable her to plan and extend their learning potential.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

The provision is good. Children are valued and respected as individuals because the childminder makes sure that she is aware of their individual needs and is able to meet these. For example, the daily routine enables children time for play, rest and having meals and snacks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children are effectively beginning to learn right from wrong through positive interaction from the childminder. They are learning to play together, sharing and taking turns. They are very familiar with the childminder’s routines and have clear understanding of the house rules. The children’s learning and understanding of these are encouraged by the childminder who regularly discusses these with the children. This helps to gently remind them about acceptable behaviour. The children receive praise and encouragement from the childminder as they complete everyday tasks.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children have a suitable awareness of society and the world around them as the childminder has resources and activities to cover topics, such as, looking at different festivals celebrated by others and where people live. However, the childminder does not effectively enhance children’s learning and understanding when covering festivals. For example, when the children were making pictures of pigs as it was the Chinese New Year, the childminder did not explain

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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 to the children about the celebrations. Therefore their knowledge and understanding was not fully explored or their learning extended.

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Helping children make a positive contribution

Children’s care is enhanced through the childminder’s positive working partnership with parents. This positively impacts on the confidence and security of each child. Each parent has sufficient time to discuss their child’s progress on a daily basis as well as completing a daily diary which helps with the two way communication as well as helping to keep them informed about their child’s day. The childminder has an effective procedure in place for the recording of any complaints or concerns raised by a parent.

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Organisation

The organisation is good. Overall the childminder is well organisation and offers extremely well planned use of resources and activities to challenge and stimulate children’s learning potential. However, there are occasions when children's knowledge and understanding of equal opportunities are not successfully explored and expanded.

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Organisation

The childminder is dedicated and committed to delivering very good care and learning to children. She is keen to further her own knowledge and understanding through going on various training opportunities which are on offer.

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Organisation

Documentation is of a high standard and maintained at a professional level. It is clear and concise and available to parents and carers. The childminder ensure that she keeps these fully up to date to ensure they continually meet the needs of the children who attend. Overall all children’s needs are meet.

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Improvements since the last inspection

At the last inspection the childminder was requested to develop further the planning of a range of activities and play opportunities to progress children's overall development. The childminder has worked with her development officer to design a chart link to the ‘Birth to three matters’ framework, so she can plan and extend children’s learning opportunities.

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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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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): • further enable children's learning of diversity to be explored and extended through play opportunities .

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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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